Indian summer

Could it be better than Bollywood?-  Kick start August with a Bollywood bash in the Bay of Cadiz.Its summer time in Lusitania and the temperatures are rising, so lets put a little spice back in our lives and enjoy some cool comestibles. Tomatoes are plentiful and watermelons abundant. Are we being previous or will we get an Indian summer. Here´s hoping......

Vicky Bhogal´s Watermelon and feta cheese skewers with Indian spices

1/2 watermelon

200g block Feta cheese

11/2 tsp garam masala

1/2 tbsp cumin powder

dash of lime juice

dash of extra virgin olive oil

sprinkling of piri piri flakes

1 tsp chopped fresh coriander leaves

salt and pepper

Cut the watermelon into chunks and set aside. cut the Feta into chunks of the same size and put in a bowl. add the remaining ingredients and stir well to coat, Thread alternate chunks of watermelon and feta onto skewers and serve

My Samarejo ( Cordoban Gazpacho) with a difference
Traditional Andalusian gazpacho with Indian flavours

675g tomatoes, skinned and seeded
3 garlic cloves, peeled
1 heaped teaspoon grated fresh ginger
2 red chillies,de-seeded
2 tablespoons fresh coriander leaves
225g robust country bread torn into pieces
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
16 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
300ml iced water

Put all the ingredients in a liquidiser and process to a purée.
Adjust with a little water and more olive oil until you achieve your desired consistency.

For a real fun taste of India serve with spicy poppadoms broken into the soup.