So, we had this idea in Autumn last year that we'd each have a little corner of the website where we could let people into our thoughts and experiences a bit more. It was a nice idea I think. Unfortunately, the reality is, it's March and this is my introduction to my corner. I promise to be a lot more regular and to reply as much as I can if anyone has any words for me. 

 

Food on The Road: An Intro

 

Since I was a little boy I have been told how important it is to eat well. My parents live in a Barn down in Devon, and are pretty wholesome folk. They grow their own veg and locally source their meat. And that element of sustainability/self-sufficiency has always been a part of their dream. A dream that has rubbed off on me a bit, I guess. And since we started as a band, we've done everything we can to stay sustainable and self-sufficient whilst touring. The first couple of tours in Country's little car, and accommodation was a daily challenge, either sleeping on friends floors or asking at gigs if anyone had a roof for us. And we loved it. We were touring like that last year. On the Snowball Tour, with Pete Roe, Peggy Sue, Alessi's Ark and Sons of Noel & Adrian. But we did get ill. Exhausted from lack of a good nights sleep and malnourished from Service station food. 

 

We've been on the road for about 2 years now and we've learnt a couple of things along the way. Sleep well, Eat well, Do good gigs. All 3 things are kind of dependent on each other. So on this tour, not for the first time, I'm cooking a meal for everyone each day. 15 boys including Mick the driver (who is a great lad). We've got some hobs, a rice cooker, and an oven. I set up a little station in the venue whilst they're rigging the stage and get cooking, Glasgow was fajitas, Manchester was pasta with 3 different sauces, Wolverhampton steak and chips, Newcastle sausages and mash and tonight in Liverpool it'll be a fish paella. I find it a healthy distraction in the day, and so far, touch wood, no-one has fallen ill on this tour. 

 

Feel free to suggest local markets or good places to get fresh produce. We went to a great Butchers in Wolverhampton on Saturday who really hooked us up with some good steaks and gave us an earful about northern soul. Which was awesome. We're on a tight budget, so nothing too fancy. And if you fancy helping out, either with the shopping or the cooking, let me know, I could really do with some help some days. 

 

I'll be posting up the occasional recipe of a dish that has been a success on the road. Please try it out and let me know if it works. This is actually the first recipe I've ever written so I don't know how well I've explained myself...

 

 

Beef Gulash

 

1kg Beef

1 large Eggplant

1 bag of baby carrots

1 tin of chopped tomatoes

2 whole tomatoes

1 red onion

1 onion

4 cloves of garlic

A glass of red wine

200g rice

1 tbsp Vegetable bouillion

Salt Pepper

25g of butter

Salad

Tortillas

 

Step One

 

Chop up the onions loosely. Most sharp edged things cut onions with enough force. When knives haven’t been around I’ve used my house key or even a bank card once! Same with the garlic, chop that stuff up. A little knob of butter in the cooker. As soon as it melts, throw in the onions and garlic. They’ll sizzle away a bit. Once they’ve gone a bit transparent chuck in the Beef

 

Step Two

 

Move the beef around so that it cooks evenly. Keep an eye on it but realistically it’ll be cooking away for about 10 mins which is the perfect amount of time to prepare everything else. Sprinkle the Veg Bouillion over the beef and hydrate with some of the wine, keeping everything moist

 

Step Three

 

Wash and chop the tomatoes into 8 segments. This is easy, just half half then half again. Take the skin off the Eggplant and chop into similar size chunks as the tomoatoes. Wash the carrots and half. Throw the tin tomatoes into the cooker until it’s simmering

 

Step Four

 

Throw the vegetables into the cooker and give it a good stir. Add a generous amount of salt and pepper along with whatever’s left of the wine. Stir. Then leave the lid off the cooker and let the moisture escape 

 

Step Five

 

Wash the rice. This gets the starch out. Easiest to do this by using a mug if you don’t have a strainer. Fill a mug ¾ full with rice, then fill with water. Put your hand over the top and shake it over a sink. Turn it upside down, letting the white starchy water drain out without losing any rice. Once washed put it into the litttle pot ready to go inside the main pot. Repeat the process until all the rice is washed then cover the rice in the little pot with water. So it’s all submerged but not too much

 

Step Six

 

Let the rice simmer, until the water has evaporated. Should only take about 10-15 minutes. Add a pinch of salt and a bit of butter and mix together

 

Step Seven

 

Dish Up. Warm the Tortillas. Lay them down on a plate, spoon a portion of rice as a bed, then the Meat and Veg, then garnish with a green salad

 

Step Eight

 

Enjoy. Preferably with friends, family or lovers and always with laughter and good times

 

B. x