Thursday 28 August 2008

Nosh Lab : Chicken Rogan Josh.

Unfortunately I haven't got any pictures of the product as it was just too yummy that we chowed down before I even got the chance to reach for a snap... I served it with roti prata which you can buy in frozen foods at an asian/chinese markets. I find it works well with pita or nan bread too.

Chicken Rogan Josh


6 Chicken Pieces (I used thighs with skin)

1tsp Butter

1/2 Chicken stock cube

Spices (To blend the following or pound to a paste):
Pinch of Salt
Pinch of Black Pepper
2 tsp Ground Cumin
3 tsp Garam Masala
2 tsp Ground Coriander Powder
2 tsp Chilli Powder
2 tsp Tumeric Powder
3 Garlic cloves
Half small brown onion
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 inch ginger
3-4 fresh green finger chilli

Fresh Corriander
Fresh or Tinned Whole Tomatoes (Quatered)
Sliced Mushrooms

Additional Spices : (optional)
Whole cloves 3-4
Cinnamon stick
Star Anise
3 pods Cardamom



Method :
Season Chicken pieces with salt and pepper and using a hot non stick pan, fry chicken skin side down - till skin turns slightly brown. Cool and remove skins. Drain most of the oil/fat that remains from cooking the chicken away but allowing about a tsp or so to remain.

Fry off spice paste in remaining oil till aromatic and add butter and pre-browned chicken.
Add chicken stock cube and 1/2 pint of tap water and bring to a boil - Reduce heat and either simmer for further 2 hours or use thermal pot. Towards the end of cooking time, add tomatoes and fresh coriander - and remainder of optional spices = simmer a further 5-10 minutes seasoning to taste.

Serve hot with side of Nan or Pita Bread.

Saturday 2 August 2008

Vietnamese food will never be the same again

This is where it all happens





My favourite dessert






it's the water chestnut super che
(but apparently there's condensed milk in it)




DIY Rice paper roll
(totally memorable unlikely suspects, starfruit, and raw banana slices, including skin)