Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster – Episode 264: Rukmini Iyer

Released on September 25, 2024

Introduction

In Episode 264 of Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster, hosts Ed Gamble and James Acaster welcome the talented Rukmini Iyer, a renowned food stylist and author. The episode delves into Rukmini's culinary journey, her bestselling cookbook series, and her insights into creating delicious, effortless meals for busy lives.

Guest Introduction: Rukmini Iyer

Rukmini Iyer, the mastermind behind the popular Roasting Tin series, is celebrated for her accessible and flavorful recipes. She recently released her latest book, The Green Cookbook: Easy Vegan and Vegetarian Dinners, which aims to simplify plant-based cooking without compromising on taste.

Rukmini's Culinary Journey

Before immersing herself in the culinary world, Rukmini pursued a career in law. However, her passion for food led her to shift gears, becoming a successful food stylist. Her background provides a unique perspective, blending precision and creativity in the kitchen.

• “When I was a lawyer, I hated my life. I decided to be experimental with food and tried cooking lamb sweetbread, but it just wasn't for me.” [38:17]

The Green Cookbook: Features and Highlights

Rukmini discusses her latest cookbook, emphasizing its focus on quick, one-pot meals that minimize cleanup—an essential for the "dad/ bloke market." The recipes are designed to be both time-efficient and delicious, perfect for weeknight dinners.

• “One of my favorite chapters is quick cook, quick carb. Your carb takes as long to cook as your sauce.” [11:08]

Signature Recipes Explored

1. Miso Butter Noodles with Tomatoes and Spring Onions

   • A simple yet flavorful dish that combines miso paste with fresh ingredients for a quick meal.
   • “It literally just takes minutes to put together. You’ve got miso paste, splash of rice wine vinegar, and ready to cook udon noodles.” [11:40]

2. Broccoli Pesto

   • An innovative way to utilize broccoli, Rukmini shares her technique for making a fresh and tasty pesto without overpowering the vegetable’s natural flavor.
   • “It doesn’t actually taste very broccoli. It just tastes delicious and green and really fresh.” [17:34]

3. Pistachio and Spring Onion Pesto with Butter Beans

   • A vibrant, shareable platter that combines marinated butter beans with a zesty pistachio pesto.
   • “Warm up some jarred butter beans with lemon zest and coriander seeds, then blitz up the spring onions and pistachios.” [17:46]

Parenting and Cooking: Navigating Kids’ Palates

Rukmini shares anecdotes about cooking for her children, highlighting the challenges and joys of catering to their evolving tastes.

• “My daughter loves buttered pasta but sticks to plain mushrooms when offered more complex dishes.” [07:35]

Creating the Dream Menu

In a fun and engaging segment, Rukmini collaborates with Ed and James to design her dream menu, encompassing her favorite starter, main course, side dish, dessert, and drink. This interactive portion showcases her creativity and passion for diverse flavors.

• Starter: Deep-Fried Platter featuring pakoras, zucchini fries, and tempura prawns with homemade coriander chutney.

  • “Deep-fried food is delicious, and I want a round-the-world platter of pakoras.” [27:21]

• Main Course: Salmon with Hollandaise and Asparagus.

  • “I want it to taste like the first time I had it when I was a teenager.” [33:52]

• Side Dish: Kale and Buttered Cabbage with Crushed Sichuan Peppercorns.

  • “Avoid putting too many Sichuan peppercorns; a couple is enough to add a nice kick.” [44:57]

• Dessert: Cake Mousse—a layered dessert combining chocolate cake with raspberry and passion fruit mousse, finished with shaved chocolate.

  • “It’s a dream dessert that doesn’t exist yet, but I’d love to create it.” [54:47]

• Drink: A refreshing combination of red wine and sparkling water.

  • “Sparkling water and red wine are a really nice combo.” [46:01]

Behind the Scenes: Food Styling in Film

Rukmini recounts her experience working as a food stylist on a film set in Morocco, where she collaborated with stars like Matt Smith and Jessica Chastain. Her role involved preparing visually appealing dishes that looked perfect on camera, requiring both artistic and culinary skills.

• “I found myself handing over plates to Matt Smith in the desert and ensuring every dish was picture-perfect.” [48:27]

Humorous Banter and Creative Ideas

Throughout the episode, Ed and James engage in playful banter with Rukmini, brainstorming whimsical concepts like a cookbook for men who love washing up and ideating fictional TV shows featuring baby lawyers. These light-hearted moments add humor and showcase the hosts' chemistry with their guest.

• “If a chef promotes a green cookbook and chooses beef jerky, we have to kick her out. It’s beef jerky’s only role is to mosh.)” [03:15]

Conclusion: Celebrating Rukmini’s Contributions

As the episode wraps up, Ed and James express their enthusiasm for Rukmini's cookbook, eager to try out the recipes and share their experiences with listeners. They commend her for providing practical and tasty solutions for home cooking, especially for those with busy lifestyles.

• “Rukmini also did not say beef jerky, so she was allowed to complete her menu. And that has also allowed us to plug her book again.” [60:11]

Notable Quotes

• “We own a dream restaurant. Every single week we invite in a guest.” – James Acaster [01:43]

• “Miso butter noodles with tomatoes and spring onions. It literally just takes minutes to put together.” – Rukmini Iyer [11:08]

• “Deep-fried food is delicious, and I want a round-the-world platter of pakoras.” – Rukmini Iyer [27:21]

• “I want it to taste like the first time I had it when I was a teenager.” – Rukmini Iyer [33:52]

• “It’s a dream dessert that doesn’t exist yet, but I’d love to create it.” – Rukmini Iyer [54:47]

Final Thoughts

This episode of Off Menu offers listeners an enriching blend of culinary expertise, personal anecdotes, and humorous interactions. Rukmini Iyer's pragmatic approach to cooking, combined with her creative flair, provides valuable insights for both novice and seasoned home cooks. Whether you're looking to streamline your meal prep or explore new flavor combinations, this episode is a treasure trove of inspiration.

About the Hosts

Off Menu is hosted by comedians Ed Gamble and James Acaster, who bring humor and creativity to the culinary conversations. Each episode invites special guests to design their dream meal, offering listeners a glimpse into their favorite dishes and cooking philosophies.

About Rukmini Iyer

Rukmini Iyer is a celebrated food stylist and author known for her Roasting Tin cookbook series. Her latest work, The Green Cookbook, focuses on easy vegan and vegetarian dinners, making plant-based cooking accessible and enjoyable for all.