Thai Chicken Sandwich.

Thai Chicken Sandwich.

Delicious, moist and fragrant Thai herb roasted chicken to make a mundane sandwich more interesting.

Preparation:

In a large oven tray, put in

-4 free range chicken thighs, seasoned with salt and pepper, with

-2 sliced ginger,

-2 cloves crushed garlic,

-1 stalk crushed lemongrass,

-3-4 kaffir lime leaves,

-1tbsp fish sauce,

-1tbsp oyster sauce,

-1tbsp soy sauce,

-1tbsp sesame oil.

Cook in 180c fan forced oven for around 45 minutes.

Sandwich between 400g ciabatta loaf, along side any pan juices and salad.

Barbecue Pork Chops with Cajun Wedges.

Barbecue Pork Chops with Cajun Wedges.

I knew it was a big ask to expect great excitement from my tofu (although it's delicious), so I'd made this for my husband and father in law. 

   Pork chops.

In an oven tray, put in

-2 pork chops, seasoned with salt and pepper,

-1 sliced onion,

-2 cloves chopped garlic,

-2 sliced chillies,

-80g tomato sauce,

-30ml malt vinegar,

-30g brown sugar.

Cover with foil.

Bake in 150c fan forced oven for 2 1/2 hours, turning occasionally.

Turn the heat up to 200c, remove the foil, bake for 20 minutes.

   Wedges.

Slice 4 large potatoes into thick chunks.

Pet dry using kitchen paper.

Place in a large oven tray, with

-1tbsp dry oregano,

-1tbsp paprika,

-1tbsp dry garlic,

-1tbsp onion granules,

-salt and pepper.

-3tbsp vegetables oil.

Cook in 200c fan forced oven, along side (pre-cooked pork chops) for around 45 minutes.

Steamed Tofu เต้าหู้ทรงเครื่อง.

Steamed Tofu เต้าหู้ทรงเครื่อง.

Tofu doesn't have to be bland and boring. It acts like a delicious sponge that absorbs whatever flavouring you care to add to it. It's versatile, healthy and most importantly delicious. Tofu in Thai dishes, although still used as protein alternative to meat, is widely used in its own right as an ingredient. There are countless Thai recipes with tofu ranging from stir fries, deep fries, curries and steamed. This steamed recipe is as far away from bland as possible. The creamy tofu is first marinated in sweet, spicy and salty sauce, then steamed with spiced mince pork and vegetables for added yumminess...I hope I have been persuasive enough to tempt you to try this at home.

In a heatproof bowl, put in 

-400g tofu, thickly sliced, with

-1tbsp balsamic vinegar,

-1tbsp oyster sauce,

-2tbsp soy sauce,

-2tsp sesame oil, 

-1/2tsp caster sugar,

-2 sliced chillies,

-2 sliced spring onions,

-3cm sliced ginger.

Mix gently to combine and leave to marinate for an hour or so.

In a small bowl, put in

-150g mince pork,

-2 sliced chestnut mushrooms,

-2tbsp chopped carrots,

-1 clove chopped garlic,

-salt/pepper,

-a splash of soy sauce.

Mix gently to combine.

When you are ready to cook...

Place the heatproof bowl containing the tofu in the steamer.

Spoon over the mince pork.

Steam for 20 minutes.

Serve with the cooking liquid on rice.

Chicken Pies.

Chicken Pies.

Last night I made steamed chicken for dinner but it didn't seem like anyone was hungry, perhaps they didn't enjoy it and so I was left with leftover chicken. I am trying a different tactic today and making something completely different with the uneaten chicken. I have mentioned before how forgiving this pastry is and that it is perfect for being roughly handled by children. The girls helped to make the pies, there was a LOT of rolling action going on and we still ended up with crispy chicken pies. I hope we will finish the pies as there's nothing else I can think of to turn them into...

   For the Pastry.

-450g strong white bread flour,

-pinch of salt

-100g chilled butter,

-100g lard,

-200ml cold water.

In a food processor, process to combine.

Tip on to work surface, bring to a rough dough with your hands, don't knead, refrigerate 20 minutes.

   Chicken Filling.

In a bowl, put in,

-550g cooked sliced chicken,

-150g chopped chestnut mushrooms,

-20g chopped chives,

-2tbsp chopped parsley,

-2tbsp soy sauce,

-black pepper.

Mix well and divide into 8 portions.

When the pastry is ready....

Divide into 8 equal portions.

Roll out into 14x18cm rectangles.

Spoon on the chicken mixture.

Brush the edges with milk.

Fold over to seal the filling.

Crimp the edges with a fork.

Put on the prepared trays.

Score the top.

Brush with milk.

Bake 15 minutes at 220c fan forced.

Turn the oven down to 180c fan forced.

Bake 15 minutes.

Turn off the oven and leave the pasties to continue to cook in the residual heat for 10-15 minutes.

Cool on rack.

Chilli and Lemon Steamed Chicken ไก่นึ่งมะนาว

Chilli and Lemon Steamed Chicken ไก่นึ่งมะนาว

I did promise more steamed recipes and here is one of them. Fresh, zesty and healthy chicken dinner that is slightly out of the ordinary. This fuss free recipe will reward you with meltingly moist chicken that goes so well with the spicy and fragrant sauce.

Preparation:

1.8kg free range chicken, broken down into portions.

Place in the chicken pieces in a large bowl, with

-5-6 kaffir lime leaves,

-5 cloves crushed garlic,

-1 large sliced lemon,

-1tsp sea salt,

-2tbsp soy sauce,

-2tbsp oyster sauce.

-1tbsp sesame oil.

Mix well and leave to marinate for at least an hour.

Steam in batches...

The breast portions took 25 minutes to cook,

The thigh and drumstick portions took 30 minutes,

The wings took around 18 minutes.

   Dipping Sauce.

In a bowl put in,

-1tbsp chopped or grated ginger,

-1tbsp chopped or grated garlic,

-1 sliced spring onion,

-1tbsp chopped coriander,

-3 chopped chillies,

-2tbsp soy sauce,

-juice of 1 lime.

Stir and leave aside until needed.

Chocolate Muffins.

Chocolate Muffins.

I made muffins last week, the girls loved them and wanted to make more for their friends. Another joint effort between the sisters.

Equipment:

muffin tins.

muffin cups.

Makes 16

Oven 160c fan forced.

Dry ingredients:

-250g plain flour.

-200g caster sugar.

-2tsp baking powder.

-100g milk chocolate chips.

-pinch salt.

Combine the above ingredients in a large bowl and leave aside.

In a saucepan, melt

-150g dark chocolate,

Cook stirring over low heat until all the chocolate chunks have melted. Leave aside and get on with the next bit.

Wet ingredients:

-200ml milk.

-2 eggs.

-4 tbsp vegetable oil.

-1 tsp vanilla bean paste.

Stir the above ingredients together, add to

-dry ingredients, add

-melted chocolate.

Spoon into the prepared tins lined with muffin cups.

Bake around 20 minutes, there should still be moist crumbs on the skewer.

Cool on rack.

Rhubarb and Lemon Drizzle Cake.

Rhubarb and Lemon Drizzle Cake.

The rhubarb came from the garden, my third harvest. It's been so wet this year the rhubarb doesn't seem to be able to keep up with my demand. Therefore it's very special to be able to cook with them again. I am teaming it wth a tangy, zesty and sweet lemon drizzle...moist and delicious.

Equipment:

23cm springform tin lined with baking paper.

   For the Rhubarb.

In a saucepan, place

-180g rhubarb into 1cm chunks, with

-2tbsp caster sugar.

Cook, stirring occasionally, on low heat until the rhubarb have softened.

Leave aside.

Oven 180c fan forced.

    For the cake.

Use an electric mixer,beat,

-250g self raising flour, with

-250g butter, at room temperature,

-250g caster sugar,

-4 eggs,

-2tsp baking powder,

-1tsp vanilla bean paste,

-pinch of salt.

Beat well to combine the ingredients.

Stir through the softened rhubarb.

Spoon into the prepared tin.

Bake 45 minutes or until the skewer comes out clean.

Leave to cool completely in the cooking tin.

Mix 200g icing sugar with juice and zest of 1 large lemon.

Leave aside until needed.

Once the cake is cooled.

Pour over the icing sugar mixture.