Cooking up a book

VIDEO by Neil Barker

A NURSE from Barton under Needwood is aiming to put a new cookery book on the shelves soon.

Georgina Ingham, 25, a full time nurse, is half way through her collection of recipes.

Georgina has had a food "blog" on the internet for over a year and says she loves the writing and photography side of cooking too — inspiring her to write the book.

Baking cakes, bread and savouries are her favourite recipes and the book will include a variety of dishes.

Georgina said: "I’ve been interested in food since I was 13 and love spending my spare time cooking. Hopefully my book will be completed within the next six months."

The Recipe:

* 4 tablespoons good olive oil
* 1 large red onion, half sliced in rings and the rest diced
* 1 red pepper, thinly sliced
* 1/2 teaspoon saffron
* 1 teaspoon paprika
* 1 desert spoon ras el hanout
* Pinch of chili flakes
* Pinch of garlic granules
* 1/2 cinnamon stick
* 1 tin of chickpeas
* 150g barley couscous
* 250ml hot water
* 2 tablespoons barberries or dried cherries
* 1 tablespoon pistachio nuts

1. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, add the onions and fry until softened and tinged with a golden colour.
2. Add the peppers and fry until soft, before adding the spices, be careful not to burn them or it will give a bitter taste to the finished dish.
3. Add the chickpeas and cook for a couple of minutes, stirring all the time.
4. Add the couscous and coat well with the oil, add the water and allow to simmer (covered by a lid) for around 5 minutes.
5. Drizzle with more olive oil (about a tablespoon) and fluff with a fork.
6. Decant into a serving dish and scatter with the fruit and nuts.