Dragon Chicken (Indo-Chinese Recipe)

Its September again, this is the first time that I am happy to welcome this month since the time I started realizing that I am getting old, as this is the month that completes one another year of my life on earth.But I want time to fly with this same pace till another 3 months as am waiting for a surprise the Almighty is molding inside me :)
Another reason for my happiness this month is the happening of State fair and Cultural Fair's, marking the end of Season....
Like last year this time also did I participate for a Honey Recipe Contest, baked some Baklava Rolls for the same and went to the fair ground with no much confidence as Baklava is not really an accepted dessert by the American taste buds :)
But this was One name which came into my mind when thinking of a dish with Honey, honey glazed chicken was the next option, though I decided to go ahead with Baklava & ended up tasting 5 other variety Baklava's the other contestants presented, the fun part was that none of the Baklava entries won any prize :D
Anyways glad that my NA didn't cry after hearing the result, I expected the same to happen, as I saw her super happy, jumping with excitement not minding her surroundings when my Cream cheese filled Chcocolate Cupscakes in Chocolate Cups won 2nd prize for a Cup cake contest in the same venue last year.

I console myself thinking that participation is the best part and winning is just the next level ;)

May be its the wish of the lil-one getting baked inside my tummy, that I crave extraordinarily for some specific dishes which I sometimes dream in my deep sleep, and this day its "Dragon chicken"
I have had it couple of times from some restaurants in Mumbai, the reason why its called "Dragon" might be because of the bright red tint the dish would have and that long strips of chicken pieces.

Do give it a try if you like Indo chinese dishes, a mixture of Indian ingredients to a typical Chinese recipe.

Here's how I made it

Ingredients 

For shallow frying 

Chicken Breast - 2 medium Breast pieces(cut in to long thin strips)
Soy Sauce - 2 tsp
Kashmiri Red chili powder (Or paprika) - 2 tsp (Adjust as per your preference)
Salt - to taste (Use less as all the sauces used here would have salt in it)
White Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp (More or less)
Chili Sauce (I used Homemade Chili Garlic sauce- Recipe given below)  - 1  tbsp
Corn flour - 2 tbsp
Oil - for frying (2 to 4 Tbsp Approx)

Other Ingredients 

Onion - 1 medium - thinly sliced)
Whole Red chili's - 2 to 3 no's (crushed)
Paprika or Kashmiri Red chili powder - 1 tsp (Or more)
Garlic - 2 to 4 No's - chopped
Ginger - a small piece finely chopped
Green or Red Bell Pepper (Capsicum) - thinly sliced.
Cashew Nuts - few no's
Green Onion - few tbsp's chopped (Optional)
Soy Sauce - 1 tsp
Chili Sauce (or home made Chili Garlic Sauce) - 2 tbsp
Tomato Sauce - 1 tbsp
Sugar - 2 tsp (Use more if you like this dish less spicy)
Salt to taste - Use only if required  (as all the sauces would have salt in it)


For Homemade Chili Garlic sauce - soak 6 to 8 whole red chili's and 3-5 Garlic pieces in 2 to 3 tbsp vinegar for 15 to 30 minutes, blend the same using a small blender to make a sauce,this would have thin consistency when compared to the store bought Chili sauce but would definitely taste better.
this isn't stored for more than a day since it doesn't have any heating. I make it in small quantity usually for the preparation of certain Indo Chinese Dishes.

I prefer making chili garlic sauce at home as it gives a slight tangy flavor to the dish with the addition of vinegar, hence if you are using store bought chili sauce, add few drops of vinegar or lime juice to the recipe here - Only if you like slight sour taste in your dish :)
 (This is entirely optional as its not included anywhere in the original recipe )

Method 

* Marinate the chicken pieces with all the ingredients given under Frying except corn flour for 10 to 15 minutes. Heat Oil in a Non-stick pan (as we haven't used egg for binding, this tends to stick) sprinkle corn flour to the marinated chicken (for coating)  just before frying the same.

* Shallow fry the marinated chicken pieces till its all cooked and looks golden brown in color. 

Remove from heat.

* In the same pan with the left over oil (Remove some oil if it seems excess), add garlic first to induce its flavor to the fried oil, followed by ginger, sliced onion & dry whole chili's ,  saute the same till brown (should be nicely done) then add the fried Chicken pieces & sliced bell pepper's to it,cook stirring the same for 2-4 minutes.

* Add Paprika (Kashmiri Powder) , Cashew nuts , all the sauces and salt (If required) and stir fry for another 5 to 7 minutes until everything is coated nicely to the chicken pieces. May sprinkle some water (if you think that the dish is looking dry) 

* Finally add sugar, stir again and switch off the heat. Serve topping the dish with some chopped spring-onions.

Enjoy with Fried rice or any Noodle's. 

Notes :

In all the original recipes the chicken pieces are deep fried, I decided to shallow fry the same and use the same oil to make the gravy. Hence you may deep fry the chicken pieces to make it nice and crispy.

Use a Non stick pan to fry the chicken pieces as this recipe doesn't add egg to the marinade which creates a binding. If not using a Non stick pan to shallow fry, use half of 1 egg to give the chicken pieces nice coating.
(I didn't use egg here as it tends to make the batter/marinate little loose in consistency and would need more corn flour)

This dish is slightly spicy (Home made chili garlic sauce makes it more spicy) hence use less red chili's for the sauce (if preparing at home) to make it less spicy.


Cheers
TN

Chicken Kabsa (A traditional Arabic Chicken & Rice Recipe) Step By step Recipe

While I was waiting inside the car in the parking-lot of a grocery store,the sight of a a very old couple walking together caught my attention, they were slowly walking with the help of their walking sticks on one side and their hands held each other on the other side.
Grandma seemed very sick and could barely walk while Grandpa looked little more healthy, and walked right by the Grandma's side, held her hand, carried her handbag along with the walking stick he used for himself and their grocery bag. I saw him open the door for her, made her sit comfortably,closed the doors for her and walked to the drivers side & I couldn't take my eyes off from them until their car drove away far from my visibility.
I realized the worth of companionship, love and care.

I tend to forget but am glad that instances like these reminds me to do so :)

Since Muslims around the World celebrated Eid last week, I decided to make something special to post in my blog today :)
Celebrating along with my Muslim friends, partaking the happiness & joy that they enjoy during this season. Dedicating this post to all my Muslim friends near and far.

During my India Visit this year, I heard much about Kabsa, which is a recent entry to the menu list there especially in the restaurants which were famous for Biriyani till then.
Though its a big hit in all the famous Muslim restaurants in my place, I was not lucky to taste it this time.Sad that I couldn't taste it there but was determined to try making it here once I reach back home.

This recipe is adapted from the YouTube video here

And here's how I made it.

Ingredients 

For Rice and Gravy 

Long-grain Rice - 2 cups
Tomatoes - 3 No's (Medium) finely chopped
Tomato paste - 1 Tbsp (I used home made Tomato Sauce)
Dried Lime - 1 no (I sun-dried one lime until nicely dried) Otherwise buy'em from any Mediterranean stores.
Onion - 2 no's finely chopped
Ginger - 2 tsp chopped
Garlic - 2 tsp Chopped
Vegetable Oil - 2 tbsp (May use Butter instead)
Juice of 1 lime
Salt to taste

Spices - 3 cloves, 1 small stick Cinnamon , 1/2 tsp Cumin powder,  4 Cardamom , 1 tsp Pepper crushed , 2 tsp Red Chili Powder, 1 tsp Coriander Powder.


For Marination & Shallow frying 

Chicken - 1 pound ( .45 Kg Approx) With bones and Skin preferred -cut into large pieces.
Lime Juice - from 2 Limes
Salt to taste
Pepper powder - 1 tsp (or more,adjust as per your preference)
Coriander Powder - 3 tsp
Red chili powder - 1 tsp
Butter - 2 tbsp

For Serving 

Nuts (I used cashew nuts, traditionally they use Pine-nuts ) - 2 Tbsp
Raisins - 2 Tbsp
Parsley - few springs (I used Cilantro/Coriander Leaves)
Boiled Eggs - 2 to 4 No's (I didn't use)
Lemon ridges


Method  

Marination & Shallow frying

*  Marinate the chicken pieces with the ingredients given under marination (other than the butter), keep at least for half an hour.

*  Melt butter(2 tbsp) in a frying pan, keep the heat to medium and shallow fry the chicken pieces skin side down first ( if using chicken pieces with skin) Fry Until the skin looks brown and crispy)
I didn't use chicken with skin, so shallow fried it till the outside looked brown.

* Remove the chicken pieces and then fry the long grain rice in the left over butter & Chicken fat (in the same frying pan) fry stirring vigorously until for 3 to 5 minutes in low heat).
Keep aside the fried rice and the chicken pieces.

 Gravy 

* In an other pot, heat vegetable oil (2 tbsp) and saute onion,garlic and ginger until onions looks translucent.

* Add the chopped tomatoes and tomato paste (I used Sauce), cook till everything is combined and looks mushy.

* Add then the shallow fried chicken pieces, and the freshly ground spices and powders (Given under Rice and Gravy), stir and combine, cook for another 5 minutes stirring continuously. (May transfer these then to a rice cooker but I cooked'em in the same pot)

* Add 3 and 1/2 cups of water to the gravy (Add little less than double the quantity of rice taken)
 Add dried lime and salt, cook'em covered for another 10 minutes until the chicken pieces are well done.

* Remove the chicken pieces from the gravy, and add the fried rice to this gravy for cooking the same,add extra salt and lime juice for the rice.  (Add extra water if you think the water is less)

* Cook the rice in the gravy until , water is completely dried and rice well done.

* Broil the chicken pieces (for 5 minutes in the oven) or dry roast the chicken pieces in a nonstick frying pan (in low heat) until the outside looks brown and crispy. (its better to broil if you have a bake oven)

* Once the rice is done, its ready to serve.

(I cooked the rice and then transferred them to another baking pan,covered it with aluminium foil and baked it in 350 degree preheated oven for 10 minutes, this helps the rice to open up a bit )

Serve hot rice, topped with the chicken pieces, sprinkle the fried nuts, raisins and few springs of parsley (or coriander leaves), traditionally they keep boiled eggs while serving them.

Enjoy a very flavorful and scrumptious Arabic meal :)

 Notes :
             - Rice to water ratio should be accurate in the recipe, otherwise the rice tends to get overcooked. I am still not confident in cooking rice perfectly, hence I baked the rice after cooking the same in the chicken gravy. Cover and bake until the rice is nicely done.
 If the water seems more in the rice, bake uncovered for 10 minutes, this helps to easily dry off any extra water in the rice.

             - In some recipes they prick the dried lime using a fork, to help extract its flavor easily.
 If you do not have any dried lime, add fresh lime rind (of 2 or 3 Lime's) to get its flavor.  Though only dried lime would contribute the authentic flavors needed.

Belated Eid wishes to all my friends and readers.

Cheers
TN

Sofritas (Chipotle Sofritas) & Burrito Bowl - Make it @home

Its kind of cloudy here from yesterday, light rain too which made everything look beautiful and clear, I always write about rain when it rains here :)
And

One thing that I want while it rains is some spicy & flavorful food which makes me
the happiest person on earth :)
This time I was inspired to cook some "Mexican food" so tried making these while I had this song played throughout.

Enjoy !
"Get Lucky"   by Pharrelle Williams & Nile Rodgers

Thanks to "Chipotle" for providing such a luscious meal, a remarkably nutritious and healthy food that they serve. For those who are unfamiliar, " Chipotle"  is a fast food chain in USA serving Mexican inspired food, the word "Chipotle" otherwise means "smoked Chili"
This is one place that my NA would cheer every time when asked where she would like to dine,
there introduction of a new protein dish called the "Sofritas" which is made with "Tofu" brought even more happiness and satisfaction for the vegetarian's here asI perceive that it isn't easy for the vegetarians to survive in this country.
Though there are many options for'em to choose from, with the mixed culture and cuisines of the immigrants here, most if it are not heightened to a level of approval as anything made with "Tofu".
Mushroom's , different varieties of Cheese , Sprouts and Lentil's are the other main options.

Since I made these, we had "Burrito Bowl" for dinner, which is mixed layers of  rice , sauteed vegetable's , beans, Sofritas (or any meat)  , Salsa (Mexican style Sauce) topped with Sour cream ,cheese and Guacamole / Avocado in a bowl,
we dig into it to enjoy the mixture of different flavor's & texture that different ingredients in it donates.

Here are the main ingredients for making "Sofritas"

Slightly adapted from yupitsvegan.com

Ingredients 

Tofu (Extra Firm) - 1 Packet
Any Vegetable Oil - 2 to 4 Tbsp (I used Canola Oil)

I don't have a gas burner so tried to burn the Jalapeno in the coil
& it din't work   :(

For Gravy/ Sauce 

* Jalapeno / Mexican Pepper - 1 or 2
 (may directly show it to fire to burn the outside
then remove its skin or else roast or grill it to brown its skin )
* Chipotle Peppers in Adobo sauce - 2 to 4 no's
* Adobo sauce(From the tin) - 2 Tbsp
* Salsa - 3 Tbsp
* Garlic - 3 cloves finely chopped
* Cilantro/Coriander Leaves - 1/4 cup chopped
* White Onion - 1 medium chopped
* Vinegar - 1 Tbsp (I used Apple Cider) or else use fresh lime Juice
* Tabasco Sauce - 1 tbsp (Optional)
* Tomato Sauce - 1 Tbsp
* Sugar - 1 tsp(add as per your preference)
*  Salt to taste.

Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce is one thing which you might be confused, its available in any Mexican store or search for it in the aisle for sauces in any grocery store.

Chipotle / Pepper in Adobo sauce

For spice blend (Adapted from yupitsvegan.com)

(or else use store bought Mexican Spice blend powder) 

Cumin seeds - 2 tsp

Coriander seeds - 1 tsp 

Pepper corns - 1/2 tsp (adjust as per your taste) 

Dried Oregano Leaves - 2 tsp 

Sugar - 2 tsp  

Method 

Prepare the Spice blend (if not using store bought)

* Dry roast all the spices (do not add sugar while roasting) ,keep in medium to low heat , roast until you start to smell the spices (may take 2 to 3 minutes) Grind this along with the sugar and keep aside, may store extra in any air tight containers. 

Prepare Tofu 

*  Cover Tofu with a kitchen towel and keep for 5 to 10 minutes and pat'em dry before cutting in to big pieces. Heat 1 tbsp Oil in a pan , shallow fry chunks of Tofu for 2 to 3 minutes on each side.

Remove from oil and finely chop'em or use your hands to crumble it. Keep aside.

Prepare the Gravy/Sauce 

* Heat the rest of the oil in the same pan, add finely chopped garlic first followed by onion and the Jalapenos chopped.

Saute for 3 to 5 minutes until everything looks cooked , then add chopped chipotle in adobo sauce

* Pour 1/4 to 1/2  cup water to this and the chopped cilantro/Coriander Leaves, allow to boil.

 Add then the crumbled tofu, add Salsa,Tomato sauce,Vinegar or lime juice & 1 tbsp of the Spice blend powder.

Add Tabasco Sauce(if using) & Salt for seasoning , allow the gravy/sauce to get thickened a bit. 

  

* When the sauce/Gravy looks thick enough , switch off the heat and sprinkle sugar (use more sugar if you want it less spicy) , also add some more chopped cilantro/Coriander leaves chopped before serving. 

 Serve with Cilantro Rice / or Plain Rice or Tortillas. 

Making Burrito Bowl 

* Spoon-in some white rice or Mexican style Cilantro Rice first to a bowl. Top these with some sauteed/caramelized onions and bell peppers. 

 

* Top these with some cooked Beans (Black or Pinto Beans)

* Top these with the Sofritas (or else with any meat) , sprinkle chopped Cilantro/Coriander leaves over.

* Spread some salsa and Sour cream over, add cheese and Guacamole/Avocado mashed if your like(I didn't use) & Serve.

Enjoy a scrumptious meal ! 

Click the link below for a similar Mexican dish.
 Chicken Burritos and Re-fried Beans 

Cheers
TN

Garlic Bread From leftover Pizza Dough

Time to smell the Roses isn't that far I guess as its already mid of March.
Climate has been nice to the people in Salt Lake through out winter and last week was the best I think
Didn't bother the slight cold breeze in the evening when I went crazy to learn everything about tennis that same day, ended up in Neck sprain  :(
But that's not uncommon, at times I get super energetic to only end up feeling sick.
The same happened last summer, when myself and Soccer man decided to learn swimming of our own though he knew a bit about the same, we both took the challenge and started going for swimming everyday wholeheartedly.
Took YouTube lessons before we leave to practice without forgetting every step that the coach explained in the video, and one day I saw Soccer man swimming :(
Completed a lap without fail & I foresaw the even greater challenge awaiting me,when I saw his facial expressions each time he lifted his head to breath, a smile of achievement.
He made me take a video of him swimming to pass on to our friends and family and
once again I failed to answer him :(
I had no way other than to accept my failure,
but then I decided to learn it very soon , if possible the very next day itself,
tried my best every-way possible that day,
Loaded my super energetic mind with all - "I CAN" & " I WILL"
In water for almost 3 hours, continuing my trial to learn, but unfortunately the time was up for everyone to use the pool that day and I was forced to take a break.
The the next day I remember I had this heaviness of water in my head,
floating to the sides every time I tilt my head and that severe Head ache was even worse than any Migraine attack I ever had in my life,
anyways with that reason  I stopped going to the pool and I still haven't learned the breathing technique's while swimming :(

I regret , but I hope to learn it sometime :(

The problem is the fear of being sick as you know a women with a kid and responsibilities of a home doesn't often have the luxury of being lightly sick, like we used do while going to school, made use of that opportunity to get more attention & enjoy being pampered by our family.

My tongue urged to have something spicy, though something fried is what I prefer mostly,
Customizing my mind to avoid thinking about fried foods for least a month.
Garlic Bread is a wonderful snack to make, a super easy, flavorful snack,
liked by majority of people who tasted it.
Its super easy if you have some bread at home but this time I tried making the bread with the left over Pizza dough which I made last week. Have uploaded here some pic's of Garlic Bread made with French-bread too, as I make'em often.

For the Filling / Topping

Garlic - 10 no's crushed and finely chopped
Parsley - few springs chopped
Cilantro & Mint leaves- few springs chopped (Traditionally its not used, but I use it as it adds lot of flavor)
Crushed Pepper - 1/4 tsp or else use Green chili's chopped 2 to 4 no's (As per your preference)
Olive Oil - 1/3 cup or else use Butter.
Oregano dried - 1/2 tsp (optional)
Cheese - I used cheddar & Mozzarella grated (2 to 4 Tbsp Approx) may use more
Parmesan Cheese Powder - 1/4 cup
Salt to taste.
Extra Butter (if you like to spread on the bread)

* Click here for Pizza Dough Recipe

Method 


While making these with Store bought bread, I haven't used any cheese as it tastes good even without it, but you may add it if you wish.

* Heat olive oil in a pan , add finely chopped garlic and saute these for a minute or 2

* Add salt, pepper or chopped green chili's (If using) ,switch off the heat, then add chopped leaves (Parsley ,Cilantro, Mint & Oregano -if using)

* Slice bread in to 1 inch thick pieces, spread Butter (if using) on one side of the bread first then spread 1 or 2 tsp of the garlic olive oil mix.

* Sprinkle some Parmesan cheese powder over each slices(if using)

* Arrange the bread slices one over the other, tightly pack the arranged bread with a foil sheet.

* Bake in 350 Preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes.  Serve hot !

When making bread from dough, there isn't any cooking needed initially.
Just mix all the ingredients other than butter and cheese, keep aside.

* Preheat the Oven to 375 Degree F.

I used left over pizza dough, Click Here for Recipe
 Roll  the dough to 1/2 inch size thickness , spread half portion of the garlic -Olive oil mix over the top, fold this to half then slightly roll it to make the shape of the baking dish (in which you intend to bake) spread the other half of the garlic mixture over the dough.

 (May spread and fold again to get more layers's) 

*Line the baking pan with foil sheet, grease the same with some butter.
Keep the rolled and prepared dough in it, cover with a wet tissue and allow to rise for 20 to 40 minutes , until it rises a bit (Keep in warm place)

* Preheat the oven to 375 Degree F, Bake the bread uncovered for 20 minutes,
 take out the almost done bread , sprinkle grated cheese (Mozzarella , Cheddar) Parmesan Powder & Dried Oregano powder over (if using)

 Cover the dish with a foil (To avoid burning the top)  & Bake again.

* Continue baking for another 10 minutes or more (Until the sides turn lightly brown).

Slice n Serve Hot !

A wonderful snack to make , am sure you'll like it :)

Cheers
TN