Oriental Cuisine - always a delight to cook

There are very few times when I get the house to myself. Yesterday, was one such day when Anushka had gone to her mum’s place and had taken aarya alongwith her for Ganpati (so that I can cook in peace) and my folks had gone to watch a movie.

Oriental cuisine has always been my favorite and has been regularly following Kylie Kwong’s show a lot. It’s not about the food she makes, but the passion she displays when cooking and when being around the kitchen and the ingredients. It’s a pleasure to see her cook.

This happens a lot of times when I do not know what I am going to make exactly, but only have a fair idea. So, after listing down the things I probably would need, I set off to Apna Bazaar and vegetable vendors to get the missing ingredients.

Ingredients – check

What to make – fair idea – check

Start with the action – bought my ipod and docking station in the kitchen to set the mood

Let the action begin!!!

What I intend to make is Chicken Schezwan Fried rice and Chicken in sweet devil sauce (name give by me)

Schezwan Chicken Fried Rice

Ingredients               

Boneless chicken	100 gms	Cut in strips
Rice	1 cup	Long grain rice
Eggs	2
Schezwan sauce	2 ½  tbpsn	Readymade suace u get in the market
Tomato sauce	1 tbpsn
French beans	10 to 12	Chopped finely
Spring onions	1 bunch	Chopped finely (keep the stems (greens) separate)
Star anise	2
Pepper corns	8 to 10
Oil	6 – 7 tbpsn
Red chilli powder	2 – 3 tbpsn	As per the required spice
Pepper	To taste
Salt	To taste

Method

 1.    For the rice –

a.     Wash the rice and keep in water for 30 minutes

b.    In a flat-bottomed vessel, boil some water (3 cups) and add 1 tbpsn oil, star anise and pepper corns for 2 minutes

c.     Drain the rice and add the rice in the boiling water

d.    Do not stir the rice (as the rice may break) and keep on the flames for 4 to 5 minutes (we need to only half-cook the rice)

2.    For the egg –

a.     Beat the eggs and add salt & pepper powder until u it is nicely foamed

b.    Heat about a tbpsn of oil in a frying pan and add the mixture. Cook over low heat till mixture is firm and flip it and fry the other side

c.     Keep this for latter use

3.    In a frying pan, add some 4 or 5 tbpsns of oil and sauté the spring onions (not greens) till it changes the color and becomes translucent

4.    Add the chopped French beans for a minute and then add the leaves of the spring onions and stir-fry for more 2 to 3 minutes

5.    Add both the readymade sauce’s, salt and chilli powder and keep stirring

6.    After about 2 or 3 minutes, add the chicken strips and sauté until the chicken in nicely cooked

7.    Cut the egg in fine strips and add it to the mixture (cut the egg pieces big and long)

8.    Add the half-cooked rice and combine the two so till such time that all the grains get the flavors of the sauce

9.    Ready to be served

  

 Chicken in sweet devil sauce

Ingredients               

Boneless chicken	150 gms	Cut in 1 inch cubes
Onions	2	Thinly sliced
French beans	6 to 7 sticks	Cut in 1 inch long
Carrots	1	Cut vertically – 1 inch long
Spring onions	3 to 4	Use only the stems
Tomato Puree	½ cup
Red chilli powder
Olive oil	1 tbpsn
Egg	1	Just for brushing the chicken (only white)
All purpose flour	1 tspn
Soya sauce	1 tbpsn
Sugar	1 tpsn
Salt	To taste

Method

1.    Coat the chicken cubes with olive oil, salt, pepper, soya sauce, egg and all purpose flour and leave for about 15 -30 minutes

2.    Sauté this chicken marinade over little olive oil in a small frying pan till the chicken is nicely cooked. Keep it aside for further use

3.    In a vessel boil the vegetables (French beans & carrots) with little salt (I don’t boil it completely, so at to preserve the crunchiness and the color of the veggies). Set aside

4.    In a large prying pan, add oil and sauté the onions till golden brown color

5.    Add the boiled veggies and stir for few minutes. Add the chicken and spring onions and stir

6.    Pour the puree, red chilli powder, sugar and salt in the vessel and keep it stirring for few minutes (4 to 5) (at this time, taste your recipe to add any salt / spice)

7.    Serve besides the fried rice

It’s always a delight to cook Chinese food. The cooking time is really short, but the prep time takes quite an effort..

the plated recipes

Bon Appétit!!!