World Cup kitchen: Quarter-final no.1

We’re through to the quarter-finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and whilst the football itself is getting exceedingly tasty, I’ve come up with an idea that will alert your taste buds even more.

Some people choose to fly their nation’s flag outside their bedroom windows. Others smear on face paint and slip into their favourite replica kits. However, the most committed World Cup fans out there will choose a more original and enjoyable idea to spice up their enjoyment of the World Cup finals.

For each of the 8 teams left in this year’s competition, I’ll be giving you an idea of what you could prepare in the kitchen in order to show your real support to the likes of Argentina, Germany and Ghana.

The first quarter-final will be contested between Holland and Brazil on Friday afternoon.

The Netherlands – Bruine bonen soup (brown bean soup)

A Dutch dietary staple, brown bean soup is nutritious, filling and easy to make. A great, simple meal that the whole family can enjoy infront of the television set whilst watching your favourite Dutch players do their stuff. It is accompanied well by buttered brown bread and a side order of Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder, and Dirk Kuyt. Not only that, but it matches the colours of the Dutch team as well! As if you couldn’t get enough orange already.

Recipe:
- In a large soup pot fry bacon in butter. Add shallots, carrot, leek and some ground paprika. Mix well before adding beans, tomato puree, stock and bay leaves.
- Bring the soup to the boil and then turn down the heat to simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the bay leaves.
- Season with salt, pepper, and Worcester sauce and then blitz the soup half-smooth.
- Add some celery leaves right before serving.
- Voila!

V

Brazil – Caruru de Camarao (shrimp and okra gumbo)

It may look a little suspect but don’t be put off by this delicious shrimp and okra gumbo, made with… Well… Shrimp and okra (fresh or frozen). Be sure to throw in some rice as well to complete a perfect lunchtime or dinnertime meal to match the mouth-watering prospect of Robinho and Kaka. The sauce is made out of manioc, a traditional Brazilian plant and can be found in very few supermarkets in this country. As a result, use a manioc substitute which could be anything from Hollandaise sauce to mayonnaise as far as I’m concerned.

Recipe:
- Boil the okra for 3 minutes, then drain immediately.
- Stir the manioc substitute into 2 cups of fish stock. Bring to the boil and cook whilst stirring, for 3 minutes.
- In a separate pan, saute some onion and garlic into olive oil until soft. Add the shrimp and saute until pink. Season with salt and pepper.
- Stir the stock and manioc substitute into the pan with the onions and shrimp. Add the okra and stir until heated through.
- Serve, eat, enjoy.

So, who will you be supporting on Friday afternoon, and which delicious delicacy takes your fancy? Go on, give it a try!

(I shall not be held responsible for any food-related illness sustained after the consumption of either of these two dishes).