Hot Pineapple and Raisin Salad

I’ve tried cooking here and nearly always wind up with disastrous results. The problem is that when you’re not in your own kitchen, you almost never have the ‘right’ implements or spices and there are so many stuffed in various nooks and crannies of your own kitchen, you tend to take their presence for granted. Right now for example, in my fridge I have some brie, carrots, eggs, brocolli, cheese spread, yoghurt, some beef and some sausages. My cupboard holds some bread, black pepper, curry powder, chilli garlic sauce, salt, coffee and gravy powder.

I don’t know what to cook with those! Since I don’t have an international license, commuting is a hassle. So… I wind up eating canned food a lot of the time, making horrible faces with every bite, but swallowing the stuff anyway.

Which brings me to the oasis in my culinary desert – Zainabs kitchen – where I’m assured of finding mostly interesting and always delicious food – which is why you find me waxing eloquent on her food.

This hot pineapple and raisin salad is no exception. Made with stewed pineapple, raisins, cumin, paprika, black cumin and salt, it makes a delicious accompaniment to nearly any meal and can be tossed with salad leaves too!

- Sid