• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Snapchat
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

MsMarmiteLover

  • Food
    • Recipes
    • Vegetarian
    • Vegan
  • Travel
    • France
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • UK
  • Wine
  • Gardens
  • Supperclubs/Events
  • About
    • Press
    • Books
  • Shop
    • Cart

The Full Indian at Batley and Spen by-election

June 28, 2021 4 Comments Filed Under: Food, Indian food, Recipes, Travel, UK, Vegetarian

Mohammed, owner of Brew cafe in Batley with a full Indian breakfast pic: Kerstin rodgers/msmarmitelover.com

This weekend I drove up to Yorkshire to cover the Batley and Spen by-election. Batley is a small town, surrounded by rolling green hills, yellow York stone cottages and the towers of disused cloth mills. It’s also a focus for a tragic historic event: the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2015 (the first of a sitting MP since 1990) in the lead up to the Brexit referendum. This June is the sixth year anniversary of her death, almost to the day, and her sister Kim Leadbeater is standing for the Labour Party on Thursday.

Another controversial event occurred in Batley in May this year: a local school teacher showed pictures of the prophet Mohammed to his class and has been in hiding ever since.

The constituency is comprised of many small villages surrounding Batley. Each one is either majority white or majority Muslim. (I must admit it is curious as a Londoner to hear locals in Pakistani traditional dress speaking with broad Yorkshire accents).

Batley is a Labour stronghold since 1997, but, despite the emotive pull of Jo Cox’s sister’s candidature, it looks likely that this northern constituency will, like Hartlepool two months ago, fall to the Conservatives. Another brick in the ‘red wall’ of northern Labour constituencies will turn blue.

pic: Kerstin rodgers/msmarmitelover.com

On arrival, the town centre was crowded with police and protestors. Tommy Robinson, the far-right activist was rumoured to be making an appearance. All I saw was the counter-protest by anti-racists. I spoke to a few locals, a young Labour voting mum, a 19 year old Tory councillor, a couple of Muslims waiting to get breakfast and a biker called Squish.

pic: Kerstin rodgers/msmarmitelover.com

George Galloway, the Scottish far-left politician, is also standing in the by-election. He’s married to a Muslim woman and is tremendously popular among Muslims, partly because of his support for Palestine. He will split the Labour vote and make it more likely that the Tories will win. His goal? To force the hapless Labour leader Keir Starmer to resign, coming as the third by-election in a row that he will have lost. It’s all gone so horribly wrong for Starmer in his 15 months as leader – from square-jawed ‘he looks like a politician’ in contrast to Jeremy Corbyn, to anxious-looking, confidence rapidly draining away, red-faced loser.

Kim Leadbeater is the only local candidate amongst 16 fighting for the seat. She’s also gay. She’s a complex addition to the local political scene, having only joined the Labour Party three weeks before standing. As the 19 year old Tory councillor told me: “She’s jumped into the deep end. Perhaps she should have stood as a local councillor first”.

This weekend Kim refused to do any more press: ‘taking a break’ after being harassed and shouted at on the street by a Muslim activist male from Birmingham. After Jo’s murder at the hands of a white far-right nutter, this must have been triggering. However, that is the life of an MP. You have to be tough as nails.

So I’ve set the scene. However I’m creating a whole new hybrid form of politics reporting, mostly centred around food. I don’t think food is spoken about enough in politics anyway.

This ethnic mix in West Yorkshire happily results in a vibrant local cuisine. Next to the Labour HQ is ‘Brew’ cafe, which serves the most extraordinary breakfasts. Two lads I spoke to, each indulging in a double breakfast, came all the way from Leeds. As fashionably dressed young Muslims, I asked what they thought about George Galloway “We like him but he also says that the Uighurs (a Muslim minority) aren’t being badly treated by the Chinese. What’s that about?”. Galloway is trying to straddle communism and Muslim rights and failing.

batley and spen pix- Kerstin Rodgers - 23
The full Indian breakfast and Emily Thornberry MP pic: Kerstin rodgers/msmarmitelover.com

Brew is run by young Mohammed and his family, mum, brother and everybody. It serves ‘The Full Indian’ breakfast which consists of a spiced omelette, two puffy puri breads, a flat paratha bread, Bombay potatoes, Indian baked beans, a chickpea curry and a glass of cardamom chai for nine pounds. The Labour MP Emily Thornberry came in, recognisable despite her mask and ordered the same thing.

The Full Canadian
The Full Canadian
pic: Kerstin rodgers/msmarmitelover.com
The Full English

They also serve the ‘Full Canadian’ breakfast with maple syrup, pancakes, and grilled pineapple, the ‘Full English’ (of course), and outrageous French toast, heaped with cream, chocolate sauce and strawberries. You have to queue outside to get a table.

French toast
French toast
pic: Kerstin rodgers/msmarmitelover.com
Menu at Brew

The next day I tried another Batley cafe, part of a chain, a sub-continental Starbucks, Chaiiwala, which also served the ‘full Indian’. as well as other Indian breakfasts such as the ‘halwa puri’, a sweet semolina served with puffy breads. They had a choice of chai: karak or masala chai (strong milky spiced boiled tea) and pink tea, a Kashmiri speciality. What makes it pink? This blog post explains that it is a mixture of baking soda, Kashmiri green tea, slow preparation and a cold water ‘shock’.

chai masala tea pic: Kerstin rodgers/msmarmitelover.com

Print
5 from 2 votes

Indian Chai tea

The old phrase 'a cup of char' stems from the Asian word for tea, chai or cha. Travelling in India, you hear the singsong call 'chaichaichai' on a loop on the trains, where it is served in small hand-made clay cups. The tracks are littered with shattered clay from disposed cups. Indian chai is always sweet and milky.
Course Drink
Cuisine Indian, Kashmiri, Pakistani
Keyword Chai, English afternoon tea, Karak Chai, Masala Chai

Ingredients

  • 500 ml boiling water
  • 1 tbsp loose black tea leaves
  • 75ml condensed milk
  • 1-2 tbsp palm sugar/jaggery

For the Chai masala spice mix

  • 10 black peppercorns
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 5 green cardamom pods, split
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 1 tbsp ground nutmeg

Instructions

  • First, put together your chai masala mix.
  • Add the boiling water to a pot, along with the tea and the chai masala mix.
  • Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, then scoop out the tea unless you like it very strong.
  • Add the condensed milk and the palm sugar or jaggery, to taste.

Indian masala omelette served with chai, yoghurt, paratha and chutney pic: Kerstin rodgers/msmarmitelover.com

Print
5 from 2 votes

Indian spiced omelette

I'm not really an egg person but I love this way of cooking an omelette.
Course Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch
Cuisine Indian, Pakistani
Keyword Indian breakfast, Masala omelette, Omelette, The Full Indian
Serves 2

Ingredients

  • 4 eggs
  • 2 tsp whole milk
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder or grated fresh turmeric
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • thumb fresh ginger, finely chopped or grated
  • 1 green chilli, finely chopped
  • large pinch fresh coriander leaves
  • 1 tsp salt or black salt
  • pat butter
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil

Instructions

  • Beat the eggs together, adding milk
  • Add the turmeric, onion, ginger, chilli, fresh coriander, salt
  • Heat a frying pan on a stove, on medium high, add the butter and oil
  • Add a third of the egg mix
  • Reduce the heat and add the rest of the egg mixture. Cover the pan.
  • After a minute, flip over the omelette and cook the other side.
  • Serve hot with bread. Or cold as a sandwich.
batley and spen pix- Kerstin Rodgers - 46
pic: Kerstin rodgers/msmarmitelover.com

Recent posts

Air Fryer recipe: aubergine sticks with yoghurt, tahini sauce

June 20, 2022

A dingle in Donegal: seven-day family trip discovering my Irish roots

June 12, 2022

silver barfi pic: Kerstin Rodgers

Platinum Jubilee recipes

June 3, 2022

Previous Post: « On Courgettes
Next Post: Strawberry recipes forever »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Harriet Oliver

    June 28, 2021 at 9:15 am

    I loved this! The Full Indian looks AMAZING

    Reply
  2. Imogen Rodgers

    June 28, 2021 at 9:26 am

    French toast looks delicious!

    Reply
  3. Judy Hamilton

    June 28, 2021 at 12:48 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you for this great article and for this: “…I’m creating a whole new hybrid form of politics reporting, mostly centred around food. I don’t think food is spoken about enough in politics anyway.” I agree with you and look forward to your future offerings. The dangerous political polarization occurring internationally needs to have a bright light shown on it from all angles. The world’s citizens need to find better ways to communicate and to appreciate our shared values. Maybe civil discussions through food is one of the answers.

    Reply
  4. Maggie Hall

    July 5, 2021 at 1:41 pm

    5 stars
    I am Cleckheaton (part of Batley & Spen) born & bred – who has lived all over the place – but returns home regularly. I’ve taken a note of your Batley breakfast experience. Coming in from the US next week and after quarantine will be visiting Brew. Along, of course, with all my favourite Indian places. Batley & Spen boats the best sub-continent cuisine – outside the sub-continent. Thanks for your new (and yummy) take on a by-election.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

MsMarmiteLover aka Kerstin Rodgers.

Chef, photographer, author, journalist, blogger. Pioneer of the supperclub movement.

This is my food and travel blog, with recipes, reviews and travel stories. I also stray into politics, feminism, gardening.

Subscribe to my mailing list

msmarmitelover

Kerstin Rodgers/MsMarmiteLover
My piece in the @hamandhigh about the 3 day @heat My piece in the @hamandhigh about the  3 day @heathostile training course. Incredibly interesting & challenging. Link: https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/things-to-do/hostile-environment-training-9037980 to read more #hostileenvironmenttraining
Supper club dishes from Saturday: pickled beetroot Supper club dishes from Saturday: pickled beetroot eggs, cheeseboard, stracciatella & cucumber, tomato/strawberry/peashoot salad with real balsamic & spruce oil, home cured dill gravlax, smoked salmon, homemade sourdough crisp bread, potato salad with wild fennel & lots more! #supperclub #midsummer #eattherainbow (miss you @linnsoederstroem)
Last nights supper club. My first supper club in 2 Last nights supper club. My first supper club in 2 years was great fun. I’m pleased with my food, the guests were lovely, it looked magical in the garden. But the weather! I even had to bring my duvets from the bedroom out. They looked like refugees. But this brought even more laughter! Next event September
My first supperclub in two years will take place t My first supperclub in two years will take place this Saturday 18th June starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are £50 byo you can book here: https://msmarmitelover.com/product/midsommar-supper-club there are still a few places left. Pescetarian menu. Scandi and botanical influences. #gettingbackonmyfeet #postpandemic #smallbusinesses #supperclub #london
I recently completed the 3 day @heathostile train I recently completed the 3 day  @heathostile training course. On the last day I was kidnapped by ex-special forces for a few hours & learnt how to deal with compliance training & a hostile environment. It was one of the most interesting experiences of my life. 3 intense days of combat first aid, navigation & how to survive in a war zone. I handled short, long guns, mortars, grenades, bullets, and tourniquet & bandaged an amputee. I learnt where to sit in a car, where to hide from a bullet, where to protect myself if in a car. It was brilliant. Highly recommended for any journalists, photographers, cameramen, charity workers, paramedics going into any difficult environment say a disaster or war. The stories from the tutors & the other participants were so interesting. My piece on it out soon. Book a course: https://hostile-environment.co.uk/  They also do jungle & desert training. I’d love to join the Antarctic expedition. Anyway that’s me hooded in the front. #adventures #het #hostileenvironmenttraining #experiences #travel
Bundoran beach, Donegal. I spent a week knocking o Bundoran beach, Donegal. I spent a week knocking on doors, going to libraries, searching through graveyards for my Irish forebears. It’s really hard to find information prior to 1850. I found this in last years trip to Arbroath in Scotland. Headstones wear out, records are lost or burnt in a fire, everybody has the same name and are known by nicknames, successive children have the same first name, that usually means they died and the next one is called by the same thing. Women did have children out of wedlock, and people remarried more often than you’d think, plus families fall out & never see each other again. I learnt that my Irish great grandfather michael went to Glasgow & met a woman who came from a similar place: somewhere wild & beautiful by the sea. Then they and their children came to london. Chasing the work & the money always. Politics and economics matter for they push people around from rural to city. And now we rodgers are Londoners. #ireland #scotland #family #travel #roots
How some of us celebrate the Queen’s jubilee! My How some of us celebrate the Queen’s jubilee! My sister & a random Irishman come for the Rory Gallagher festival in ballyshannon. Sis has pulled already!  #getyourcoat #sexpistols #ballyshannon #rorygallagherfestival #ireland
Tullaghan, county Leitrim, Donegal, where my grea Tullaghan, county Leitrim, Donegal,  where my great great grandfather john Rodgers was a postman, then a tailor, then a pawnbroker. #irishheritage #donegal #myancestry #irish #rodgers #travel
I’ve taken down the previous post as it’s poor I’ve taken down the previous post as it’s poor timing considering what’s happened over the last 24 hours. Being British I’ve not grown up around guns. It’s interesting to be on this course and find out more about the reality of them, although my focus is learning the ‘golden triangle’ of first aid, communications and navigation. But at the same time It’s depressing how in America nothing will ever change regarding gun law. RIP.
Me as a punk. #pinkhair @caplanmelissa Me as a punk. #pinkhair @caplanmelissa
Sniffin’ glue: Me n @Jaybladesmbe at the Loctite Sniffin’ glue: Me n @Jaybladesmbe at the Loctite pop up yesterday. I’m all about repairing and upcycling my brocante finds: this time a beautiful pale wood lamp shade stand which had broken off at the bottom. I’m going to rewire it with 2 core sky blue twisted fabric wire, pop on my hand sewn pleated lampshade I learnt to do @workshopminerva and it shall be beautiful. Don’t chuck out your chintz: repair it! #therepairshop #selfie #interiors #popup
in June I’m having my first supper club in two y in June I’m having my first supper club in two years: here is the link to book: https://msmarmitelover.com/product/midsommar-supper-club £50 18th June  Saturday night. Byo.
#chelseaflower coming up. Last year I bought these succulents and planted them in a vintage zinc garden sieve. Now they are flowering. My balcony is like a little greenhouse: I can grow aubergines & other plants that usually need to be under glass. #londongarden #may #plants #succulents in the garden
Lemon drizzle cake. The trick is not to stint on t Lemon drizzle cake. The trick is not to stint on the citrus. I used 7: 2 Italian lemons (from Lidl):some ordinary lemons and some limes (18p) at Lidl. Don’t be afraid to mix and match your citrus. I also used buttermilk from @fenfarmdairy in Suffolk from their honesty shop. Last night we ate it still warm from the oven. #cake #lemondrizzle #homebaking #citrus #buttermilk
A Simple tomato, goats cheese and basil salad, spa A Simple tomato, goats cheese and basil salad, spanking fresh asparagus / fried in olive oil, season, then add a little boiling water, not too much, put on the lid, dressed with lemon zest & Parmesan, @fenfarmdairy baron bigod cheese, good bread. This is how I like to eat. Claire’s plates found at the beccles brocante. #suffolk #suffolkfood #supper #dinnerwithfriends  #vintageplates
Can’t wait to see what they will be like when th Can’t wait to see what they will be like when they are fired. All my favourite themes: gingham and scallops. Thanks to @clairebelljar for a wonderful weekend and pottery workshop. Such fun! #workingwithyourhands #playtime #creativity #ceramics #pottery #suffolk
Making plates with talented potter & old South Ham Making plates with talented potter & old South Hampstead girl @clairebelljar in Suffolk. She has the most beautiful house I’ve ever seen. Such a joy to be reunited with her. #friendsreunited #makers #potters #scalloped #wildflowers #cowparsley #pottery
Another budget gourmet recipe, the Sicilian capona Another budget gourmet recipe, the Sicilian caponata, which is like a more interesting ratatouille, in which you add capers, olives & vinegar. £2.50p. I was asked to develop a series of recipes which were delicious enough to serve at a dinner party but also cheap. I shopped at Lidl. #costoflivingcrisis #budgetgourmet #recipe #vegetarian #vegan #lidluk
Mackerel pâté, a recipe that cost under £2.50. Mackerel pâté, a recipe that cost under £2.50. Lemon & herb smoked mackerel fillets from @lidl (take off skin)3 big scoops creme fraiche from Lidl and juice of half a lemon. Blend. Plenty of black pepper. Serve with bread. #budgetgourmet #costoflivingcrisis #eatorheat
Just wrote a very personal piece for @hamandhigh o Just wrote a very personal piece for @hamandhigh on my decade as a single parent on benefits, how I learned to cook & how things are so much harder now because not only are ingredients pricier but the cost of cooking them is too. 3 budget gourmet meals serving 4, for £2.50 each. #costoflivingcrisis #budgetgourmet #povertyshame #singleparents #foodblogger
Easter Sunday. Daffodil skeletons. Easter Sunday. Daffodil skeletons.
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Archives

Copyright © 2022 msmarmitelover