Inspired by
Gavin & Stacey
The show follows the romance between Gavin, from Billericay in Essex, and Stacey, from Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales. The series follows the key moments in their relationship: their first meeting, meeting each other’s families, getting engaged, marrying, looking for a flat, briefly splitting up, looking for new jobs and trying for children.
The characters of Gavin and Stacey provide the emotional core of the story. The show focuses on the situations that arise when their relationship brings their two differing families together. As a result, episodes often focus on the key events in life that bring wider families and close friends together such as weddings, christenings, birthday parties and Christmases. However, the show also presents the families interacting in deliberately non-dramatic situations, such as a visit to the beach and nights out.
A significant second storyline follows the contrasting relationship between Smithy and Nessa. Despite their dislike for each other, they have several one-night stands, leading to Nessa becoming pregnant and having their baby. Whilst Gavin and Stacey are the clear main characters, towards the end of the show’s run, the dramatic emphasis switches slightly from them, as they resolve their distance issues, to Smithy and Nessa, as Nessa becomes engaged to another man.
Nessa’s Jamdani Hash
Me and my family love Gavin & Stacey. The banter is great and the characters are hilariously loveable. We often quote lines from the episodes and are all looking forward to the Christmas special at the end of the year.
I wanted to recreate Nessa's Jamdani Hash. She orders it during one of their curry evenings and I had never heard it before. As it turns out, it's one of their own fictional dishes written in for the story and there isn't an official recipe online! I did however find a tumblr blog of a recipe and used it to recreate the dish, and am very happy with the results!
Preheat the oven to 200ºC. In a large frying pan, add the duck breasts and cook over medium heat until the edges are browned. Take off the heat and add to a baking tray and cook in the oven for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, add the oil to the pan and fry the onions and garlic for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Add the Garam Masala, Turmeric, Ground Coriander, Cayenne Pepper and Ginger and stir to combine for 1 minute.
Stir the tinned tomatoes, honey and lime juice into the mixture. Leave to simmer for 5 minutes. When the duck is cooked, cut into thick slices and add to the sauce. Simmer gently for 10 minutes.
Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve with cooked rice.
Ingredients
Directions
Preheat the oven to 200ºC. In a large frying pan, add the duck breasts and cook over medium heat until the edges are browned. Take off the heat and add to a baking tray and cook in the oven for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, add the oil to the pan and fry the onions and garlic for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Add the Garam Masala, Turmeric, Ground Coriander, Cayenne Pepper and Ginger and stir to combine for 1 minute.
Stir the tinned tomatoes, honey and lime juice into the mixture. Leave to simmer for 5 minutes. When the duck is cooked, cut into thick slices and add to the sauce. Simmer gently for 10 minutes.
Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve with cooked rice.
