Dinner with Rose Elliot

Published on Friday 28 March 2008 13:45

ROSE ELLIOT is known as the UK's finest vegetarian writer, with over 60 books to her name. An active patron of the UK Vegetarian Society, in 1999 she received an MBE for services to vegetarian cookery. Her new book, Sumptuous Suppers... Veggie Food With Style is out on April 15, priced £12.99.

What's the best meal you've ever had?

The vegetarian tasting menu at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons to celebrate my birthday on a sunny June day: perfect setting, weather, company and food – an occasion I'll never forget.

What's the worst meal you've had?

Dinner on a BA flight back from New York. I was looking forward to it as the meal going out had been so unexpectedly good. When a steward asked me to change seats so a family could be together I was happy to do so. Unfortunately my meal was taken to them by mistake and I ended up with just bread rolls because there were no more vegetarian meals on board.

What's in your fridge?

Kale, baby spinach, lettuce, chicory, organic tomatoes, carrots and red peppers, kalamata olives, ripe avocados, jars of miso, tahini and umeboshi plum paste and cold-pressed organic olive oil.

What's your hangover fix?

An apple or apple juice; it works every time.

What's your most useful kitchen utensil?

My Global knives and big, thick chopping board; I take them everywhere.

Do you have a guilty pleasure?

It used to be lots of strong, black coffee but I've given that up except for the occasional de-caff, and feel much better as a result.

What's your classic standby recipe?

I have lots. Fragrant spiced rice, vegetable curry made with fresh ginger, garlic and spices, and lentil dahl. Or roasted stuffed red peppers on cous cous with a big green salad and avocado.

Who would you invite to a fantasy dinner party?

Francis Bacon – not the artist, the Elizabethan one – because I believe he wrote the Shakespeare plays and I'd really love to ask him. I'd love to meet the Buddha, and Mary Magdalene – more questions for them, too, I guess.

What food says 'home' to you?

Potatoes in their jackets, with lovely crisp skins – I was brought up on them, along with Aga toast.

Have you ever been on a diet?

I experimented with low-carb vegetarian eating to see whether it was possible – it was; I lost weight and felt good on it. At the moment I'm eating mainly raw food and I feel so full of energy it's amazing.

What's the one food that makes you feel better?

Raw celery. It's the first thing I always fancy when I've been unwell.

Do you eat airline food?

Vegetarian/vegan airline food is generally poor and a bit hit-and-miss, or the food gets given to another passenger. But I usually pick at it if it's there.

Do you buy organic?

I have a weekly order from our local organic farm and top up with things from the supermarket, organic if possible.

How tidy is your kitchen?

It's OK except when I'm creating new recipes, and then it looks as though a bomb has hit it.