East African Chicken

Most of my friends and all my family are aware that I do not like anything sweet added to my protein. On my plate, horror of all horrors would be to see pieces of fruit with chicken, pork or beef, so as you can guess, no Hawaiian pizza, no pineapple chicken or sweet and sour pork for me. However, I must say that my brother-in-law's - East African Chicken - is making me reconsider my position. There is a lot of flavour in this dish and a generous amount of heat; and the marriage between the spices and fruits (dates and rasins) is a happy one. As we enjoyed this for dinner yesterday, I was reminded that love of food demands a healthy amount of a spirit of adventure and I am glad to say that I have altered my position after eating this dish.  

So, to the proteinfrutophobes (word not yet in the English dictionary which means fear of protein and fruit in the same dish), I say, try this recipe and if it is still not your thing, then try it one more time after which I say, congratulations for having tried - proteinfrutism may not be for everyone (yes, another word that has yet to make it to the English dictionary....)

My brother in law is not just a fabulous cook, he makes the effort of going back to his blog and updating any changes he has made to his recipe. I have shamelessly copied it word for word from his blog and although it may appear time consuming, the finished product is certainly time well spent. I served it with quinoa cooked with a little salt and nothing else, because chicken with such bold flavours needs no competition from an overly dressed side dish. 

p.s. I have to confess, the only change I made was to use 12 instead of the 16 dates suggested, blame it on the proteinfrutophobia that I could not shake off entirely.

Skill Level: Easy

Serves: 6 - 8

INGREDIENTS:

• 12 large chicken thighs skinned
• 1 tbsp salt (or more if desired)
• 4 tsp black pepper ground
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cups sliced onion
• 2 tbsp chopped peeled fresh ginger
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp ground cardamom
• 2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 8 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 1 8-oz can diced tomato
• 16  pitted dates cut in half
• 1/2 cup golden raisins 

METHOD:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

2. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and black pepper

3. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, cook 5 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Remove the chicken from pan
4. Add the onions to the pan and cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently 
5. Add the ginger and next 5 ingredients (ginger through garlic); cook for 1 minute
6. Stir in chicken, broth, and the remaining ingredients, and bring to a boil

7. Cover and bake at 360 degrees for 90 minutes

Thai Chicken Green Curry

Greetings from Malaysia! I am currently travelling with my family in South East Asia. Hence, I may not be able to post recipes on regular basis. We pretty much enjoy our trip with lots of eating, photographing and many more. Stay tuned! In the meantime, please enjoy the Thai Green Curry Recipe.

This is probably one of take-out favourites in Canada! There are 3 different kinds of Thai curry: red, yellow and green (funny, just like a traffic light). Each of them share the same base: shallots, garlic, lemon grass, lime leaves, hot peppers and fish sauce. Red curry uses more red chilis while yellow curry has more yellow chilis and turmeric. On the other hand, green curry has cilantro, Thai basil and green chilis. Out of all, I personally find that green curry is the spiciest and the most pungent with a hum of fresh herbs. It is my most favourite Thai curry.

One can spend a good 10 dollars for a serving of Thai curry in a restaurant but believe or not, you can serve this dish at home for less than 10 dollars! And no, I do not expect you to cry in your kitchen peeling shallots and pounding chilis to make this dish. Thanks to the globalization and the world of convenience, you can now purchase a tub of Thai curry paste in any grocery stores. My favourite brand is Aroy-D. They also make the best coconut milk.

The Thai Chicken Green Curry featured on this blog is super easy and takes less than 30 minutes of cooking in your kitchen. Moreover, the vibrant colours of peppers and vegetables added into this curry will stir up your appetite and make you salivate. No kidding! Try this recipe and soon enough, you no longer need to dine in a Thai restaurant.

Skill Level: Easy

Serves: 4 - 6

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 pieces of boneless chicken breas, cubed
• 1 cup green peas (fresh or frozen)
• 1 can baby corn, drained and rinsed
• 1 red bell pepper, julienned
• 1 green bell pepper, julienned
• 1 lemongrass (optional), bruised
• 3 kaffir lime leaves (optional)
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 cup water
• 4 tbsp Thai green curry paste (use less if you prefer mild)
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp cooking oil

METHOD: 

1. In a pot, heat up 2 tbsp of cooking oil. Add in the curry paste, water, coconut milk, lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves
2. Once boiled and the curry paste has dissolved, stir in the cubed chicken breast. Return to boil and cook for another 5 minutes 
3. Add in the red and green peppers, baby corn and green peas
4. Season with fish sauce and sugar. Return to boil and cook for another 5 minutes
5. Serve with a plate or bowl of steamed jasmine rice and fresh Thai basil

Vietnamese Chicken Pho

Soft, silky and delicate rice noodle topped with shredded chicken, crunchy beansprouts and refreshing Thai basil leaves. A soup that is so rich and flavourful with warm aromatic spices...A bowl of Vietnamese Chicken or Beef Pho is surely comforting in this cold weather. I am one of those people who are always craving for Vietnamese Pho whenever the temperature is frigid out there. However, it is a challenge to get myself out of the house...not to mention, I have to bundle up and start my car. The challenge is getting harder when I have a baby to bring along and eating-out is no longer fun. The solution: well, why not make this Vietnamese rice noodle soup right at home?

Skill Level: Easy

Serves: 4 - 6

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 Vidalia onion
• 1 knob ginger
• 1/2 bunch of coriander/cilantro
• 1 can chicken broth 
• 2 L water 
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 small piece of Chinese rock sugar  
• 1 whole chicken 
• 1 pack of think rice noodle

Spices: 

• 2 star anises
• 2 inch cinnamon stick 
• 2 tsp coriander seeds
• 4 cardamoms
• 2 tbsp cloves
• 2 tsp whole black peppercorns 

Toppings:

• Bean sprouts
• Cilantro
• Thai basil 
• Green onions, sliced thinly
• Lime wedges
• 1 Vidalia onion, sliced thinly
• Sriracha hot sauce
• Hoisin sauce 
• Shredded chicken breast (see recipe)
  

METHOD: 

1. Halve one Vidalia onions (unpeeled) and ginger 
2. Heat up a non-stick pan on high. Place the halved onions and ginger on the pan and cook for 10 to 15 minutes. Rotate the onions and ginger every few minutes to get an even char (do not worry if they get burnt). Remove and place in a stock pot 
3. In the same pan, heat up the spices on medium heat till fragrant. Wrap the spices with a cheese cloth, tie up and place in the stock pot 
4. In a stock pot, add in 2 L of water, 1 can of chicken broth, salt, fish sauce, rock sugar and 1/2 bunch of cilantro 
5. Boil the liquid on high heat. Add in the whole chicken and continue cooking till boil 
6. Once boiled, lower the heat to low-medium heat and simmer for 45 minutes 
7. Using tongs, remove the chicken and place it in a bowl of iced water for 10 to 15 minutes
8. Remove and shred the chicken breast. Return the chicken carcass into the stock pot and simmer gently for another hour 
9. To cook rice noodle: follow the package instructions 
10. To assemble pho: Place the rice noodle in a bowl and top with shredded chicken breast, bean sprouts, Thai basil, cilantro, onion slices and green onions. Ladle soup broth into the bowl
11. Serve with lime wedges, Sriracha and hoisin sauce

Jerk Chicken - Slow Cooker Version

There are 2 kitchenwares that I cannot live without. First and foremost, a slow-cooker. The later is a pressure cooker. These cookwares are so handy and they save me time in the kitchen. If you have a slow cooker and think it's hidden somewhere collecting dust in your basement or attic...well, it's time for you to take it out! 

Ever imagine what would happen if you throw in chicken marinated in jerk seasoning in a slow cooker? Well, I actually did couple of days ago! I let the chicken with its marinade simmer in a slow cooker for 4 hours and the results: moist, juicy and fall-off-the-bone meat that simply melts in your mouth. Furthermore, the sauce is full of robust flavours: a perfect balance of thyme and Jamaican all spice.  I serve the chicken with  our Jamaican Style Rice N' Peas. For left over chicken, I simply shred the meat and make into a jerk chicken sandwich with cabbage coleslaw for lunch. Perfect for a cold weather lunch that certainly warms up your tummy! 

Check out the link for our Jerk Chicken recipe.

Jamaican Inspired Jerk Chicken

I love the robust flavours in this traditional Jamaican dish. It has a good balance of spices and heat, not too overpowering yet flavourful. Absolutely a perfect dish for casual entertaining with family and friends. You can either grill or bake in the oven. To make the most of summer weather, I usually grill them on BBQ and serve with coleslaw, grilled corn or Jamaican rice and peas.

 

Jerk chicken should not be limited for summer entertaining only; I also like making this dish in the winter. Instead of grilling them on BBQ, I bake them in the oven. Trust me, the lingering aroma of spices in your kitchen will certainly open up your appetite and warm you in frigid cold winters.

This dish is easy to make and you can get all ingredients in regular grocery stores. Jamaican all spice is usually available either in "ethnic" or "spice" aisle.

Skill Level: Easy

Serves: 4 - 6

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 medium size whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces

Marinade: 

• 1 onion, cut into wedges
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1 bunch green onion, cut into 2 inches long
• 1 inch ginger
• 2 scotch bonnet peppers, seeds removed. If you want it mild, replace with 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 3 tbsp cooking oil
• 2 tbsp soy sauce 
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 3 tbsp Jamaican all spice powder 
• 1 tbsp dried thyme 
• 1 tbsp whole black pepper 
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• juice from 1 lime
• 1/4 cup water

 METHOD: 

1. Mix all marinade ingredients in a blender until smooth
2. Pour into the chicken, marinate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight
3. Preheat BBQ grill to 325 degree Fahrenheit 
4. Lightly oil the grill grate. Arrange chicken pieces on the grill
5. Grill and turn the pieces every 5 minutes
6. Grill until juice runs clear
7. Serve hot and enjoy! 

Maple Garlic Chicken Wings

I cannot think of a better idea to start a Canada Day long weekend than a backyard BBQ party with family and friends. My blog partner and I had a get together at my place last weekend for a dinner. We came up with a couple of great recipes which we think are perfect for the upcoming long weekend celebration. Maple Garlic Chicken Wings is on the list.

When we think of Canada, maple leaves come on top of the list. We want to make something with maple....maple syrup then. So we jumped on the idea of featuring Maple Garlic Chicken Wings in our blog. The wings are so juicy, flavourful and surprisingly, they are not overly sweet. They sure taste like a spectacular fireworks bursting in your mouth!

Barbecuing with maple syrup can be very tricky as the sugar can get burnt easily. We recommend you to turn your wings frequently to minimize burning.

Skill Level: Easy

Serves: 6 - 8

INGREDIENTS:

•  2 lb chicken wings
• 5 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup soy sauce 
• 1/2 cup maple syrup for marinade, additional 3 tbsp maple syrup for final touch
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp hot chili flakes (optional)
• 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

 METHOD: 

1. Mix chicken wings with all ingredients with the exception of sesame seeds and 3 tbsp maple syrup 
2. Marinate for at least 4 hours, overnight preferably 
3. Preheat BBQ grill for 325 degree Fahrenheit 
4. Lightly oil the grill grate. Arrange wings on the grill
5. Grill the chicken wings, lower heat if you think the heat is too high. Turn the wings every 3 to 4 minutes to prevent burning
6. Grill until juice runs clear. Place the cooked chicken wings in a bowl, drizzle with 3 tbsp of maple syrup and toss in sesame seeds
7. Serve hot and enjoy!