Mums star on Hairy Bikers TV show

Nassira Jmil and Hafsa Akkas will star alongside TV chefs The Hairy Bikers in their hour-long Mums Know Best Christmas special to share their favourite seasonal dish.

The two Rose Hill Children’s Centre workers were chosen to appear on the show after its bearded presenters, David Myers and Si King, tasted their food.

The hairy TV chefs, famed for their motorbike leathers and thick Geordie accents, have been touring the country looking for the best traditional recipes handed down through families.

Mrs Jmil, 48, cooked harira, a traditional Moroccan soup, plus tangine of chicken with prunes, apricots and roasted almonds.

Mrs Akkas prepared sweet samosas filled with coconut, and savoury vegetable versions.

Mrs Jmil, who moved from Morocco 30 years ago, said: “The Hairy Bikers were absolutely wonderful. They are lovely guys and very down-to-earth.

“They made us feel really welcome and loved our food.”

The mum-of-four, of Desborough Crescent, added: “I cook this food at Christmas, but I also do a traditional turkey as well.

“We get together with friends each year and do all the home-cooking.

“All my friends say I am a good cook, and my children’s friends love my cooking as well.

“I have learnt from books, from friends, from my husband, and many of my favourite dishes from my mum.”

Mrs Akkas, a mum-of-two, added: “My samosas are made using an old family recipe.

“As soon as I got to about 10 or 12, I was taught how to fold samosas, and as I grew up I learned how to make the pastry.

“I taught it to my daughter, and now I’m doing it with my 12-year-old niece.”

She added: “Although we are Muslims and do not celebrate Christmas, because it is the national holiday we all get together for the day.

“We have a big family, and we all bring food and share it among us.

“There is nobody that does not like the samosas.

“They always go down really well.”

The Hairy Bikers’ Mums Know Best At Christmas will be broadcast on BBC2 on Sunday at 8pm.