Home Columnists Steven Saunders: Flower Power Bend it like Beckham!
I HAD just launched The Lowry in Manchester with a grand opening by Her Majesty The Queen, fantastic fireworks and amazing canapés, so I was feeling pretty satisfied with myself.
The Lowry was the main UK Millennium project for the North of England and simple dishes, all homemade, were the key ingredients.
The menu included beef bourguignon, steak pie cooked with oysters and ale and fish and chips in a tempura batter, served with a bespoke tomato dip made from roasting the tomatoes with garlic and onions.
It was a wet and windy lunchtime and, as I looked at the newly bridge connecting us to Trafford Park, I saw a couple walking towards us who looked very familiar: David and Victoria Beckham.
‘Hello David and welcome’, I said. ‘Hi Steve, you got a table?’, asked Becks. It was really busy but of course I had a table. This was David Beckham, for Christ’s sake!
On order I shouted, ‘One house salad with dressing on the side and one fish & chips’. I guessed that David would be having the fish and chips as ‘Posh’ is not renowned for eating much!
Now, as our USP was homemade everything, I had banned things like Heinz ketchup and Daddies sauce and chosen to make my own similar but better alternatives. Our brown sauce was made with fresh tamarind, star anise and wine vinegar and our tomato sauce was amazing.
‘Is everything OK for you David?’ I asked. ‘Yes Steve but what is this?’ David replied, pointing at the tomato sauce. ‘It’s a fresh tomato fondue made with good heritage tomatoes, garlic and fresh basil’, I proudly responded. ‘Bring me some ketchup will you, Heinz please,’ he demanded.
‘But chef, you said you would not serve bottled sauces’, said the bemused chef.
‘Shut it and do as I say….. (this is David Beckham)!’ I muttered.
So David got his ketchup and we had a rethink on all those homemade sauces. We still carried on serving them but always had Heinz on standby!
However the real foodies loved our fresh tomato fondue, so I’d like to share it here for the benefit of true connoisseurs! As well as fish and chips it’s great with simple roasted chicken, grilled fish and even steak.
There is something very satisfying about making your own ketchup (whatever David Beckham thinks) so try it and enjoy! Spiced with the great Becks dinner party story, it tastes even better!
Blanch the tomatoes in boiling water in a saucepan (making a little cross on the top with a sharp knife), leave for 10 seconds, then remove and chill in iced water.
Peel the skin off, slice the tomatoes in half and place on a baking tray.
Put the garlic, olive oil, celery and pepper slices on top and season with salt, pepper and cumin.
Cook on a moderate heat for approx. 30 mins until reduced and thick.