Chicken Kung Pao

Its a sweet and chilli taste from China.

Ingredients( 2 servings) :

1. 1 chicken breast
2. 1 small onion or half an onion chopped
3. Thinly sliced red or orange bell pepper
4. 1/4 cup sweet & chili sauce
5. 1 cup chicken stock
6. 1/2 tea.s celery salt
7. A pinch of paprika,ginger powder and black pepp
8.1/4 cup browned cashews

#Chicken seasoning: 1/2 tea.s salt and white vinegar,1 table.s soy sauce,1 tea.s oil and corn starch, pinch of ginger and garlic powder.

Method:

1. Slice the chicken breast longitudinally
2. Coat the chicken with the seasoning mentioned and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes
3. Saut the onions then add the chicken and let it cook for few minute
 4.add the peppers along with the remaining spices
5.add the chicken stock and that will deglaze the pan and let it simmer until the chicken is fully cooked
6.add the cashews and the sweet and chili sauce and stir let it on low heat until it reaches the desired thickness.
7. Serve with rice..Enjoy..

Tip of the day #6

The Art of Frying..

Over the years I learned how to fry perfectly.
.              
1. If your not deep frying then dont over put the amount of oil.

2. Only flip once!! You will know by experience how long each side of whatever your cooking takes time to cook before flipping it on the other side.

3. You can check if it's done by slightly lifting it. because too many flipings will cause your food to absorb more oil!

4.always heat your oil first before frying on medium heat. Dont go high or else the oil will burn!

5.Check the sizzling effect!!when your potatoes or chicken touch the oil and you hear the sound shhhhhh then its time to fry. Don't place your food in cold oil.

6. Don't crowd the pan! you think your saving time but your ain't believe me.                      

Cold Macaroni Salad

Ingredients:

1. 4cups macaroni (any shape desired)
2. 1 chopped green bell pepper
3. 2 diced tomatoes
4. 3 Shredded carrots
5. 1 can of whole kernel corn
6. 1/4 cup dried pomegranate
7. 2cups spinach
8. 1 can of tuna (optional)

#Dressing: 2 table.s cream cheese,1 table.s mayonnaise,1/3cup diced cheddar chees(optional) and shredded parmesan cheese,pinch of low sodium salt (optional),1 tea.s black pepper and papprika,1 table.s olive oil,pinch of sugar.

Method:

1. Boil the macaroni in water with some salt
2. Mix all vegetables
3. Drain the macaroni when its done and let it cool a bit before adding it to the vegetables
4. Mix together then add the dressing ingredients on top and mix well in a big bowl
5.garnish with hot chilli powder and olives.serve cold..Enjoy..

A Different KABSA

Kabsa is a famous rice dish in the Arabian Gulf. It can be made with meat,chicken or even fish and shrimp. But what I'm presenting here is a different way of making KABSA which I'm positive that you will love.

Ingredients:(2-3 servings)

1.half a chicken
2. 2cups rice (soaked 15 minutes)
3. Chopped onion
4. 2 minced garlic cloves
5. 2 diced tomatoes
6. thinly sliced green bell pepper
7.2 table.s tomato paste
8. 1 jalapeno pepper
9. 3 shredded carrots
10. Browned cashews and raisins
#Spices needed: 1 short cinnamon stick,5 cloves,4 cardamom seeds,1 bay leaf ,1/2 tea.s of cardamom powder,red chilli powder ,turmeric powder and cinnamon powder,1 tea.s curry powder,a dash of salt and a pinch of sugar (optional)
#Remember: 1 cup of rice = 1 1/4 tea.s salt

Method:

1. put the chicken in a pressure cooker with water,a dash of salt and the following spices:
Cinnamon stick,cardamom seeds,cloves,bay leaf. And leave it on medium to high heat for 20 minutes or until its done.#keep the chicken stock.

2. In a big pot saute the onions until brown then add the bell pepper

3. Add the carrots and then the minced garlic

4. Add the tomatoes and a dash of salt. Cook until it nearly melts.

5. add cooked chicken plus the tomato paste with the remaining spices mentioned above and nuts

6.cook on low heat for 10 minutes

7.Boil the rice with salt in the chicken stock for 2-3 minutes and drain.pour the rice on the chicken mix and fold gently until the rice is fully colored and cover on low heat for 15-20 minutes..Enjoy..

Greek Pizza

Ingredients :

1. 2cup all purpose flour
2. 1/3 cup oil
3. 1 1/2 table.s active yeast
4. 2 table.s sugar
5. 1/2 tea.s baking powder and salt
6. warm water

#Topping: onions, tomatoes , spinach, mushroom,pizza sauce ,mozzarella cheese and feta cheese

Method : 

1. mix the dry ingredients first
2. add the oil and mix until the flour is coated with oil and crumbles
3. add 1/2 cup of warm water and kned then add water gradually auntil the dough is elastic
4.cover and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour at least
5. pre heat the oven on 360F
6. when the dough doubles in size its ready to knead.
7. knead into a big circle shape or you can cut small circles and place it in the cup cake pan and you will have mini cup pizza (oil and dust your pan with flour first)
8. spread pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese then add sliced and diced veggies. Top with feta cheese
9. bake on 360F for 25-30 minutes..ENJOY..

The Eygptian way *Keshry*

It is a famous Egyptian dish containing  rice,macaroni , black lentils,vermicelli and topped with caramelized onions and a tomato sauce.

Ingredients (4servings):

 
1. 1 1/2 cup rice ( soaked in water for 15 minutes at least )
2. 1 cup elbow macaroni
3. 1/4 cup black lentils
4. 1/2 cup vermicelli
5. 1 onion for garnish
6. 2 cups chicken stock (optional)
7. 1 1/2 table.s tomato paste

#Tomato sauce: chopped onion around 1/4 cup,1 garlic clove,4 tomatoes diced and 1/4 cup or less tomato sauce,salt and cumin to taste.

Method:

1. saute the onions until caramelized with a pinch of salt and cumin for taste and set a side
2. boil the lentils until done and keep the water (optional ) 
3. boil the macaroni with a dash of salt and some cloves and a bay leaf  until its done and drain
4. brown the vermicelli
5. In a pot boil the chicken stock with some water(and the remaining lentil water) and tomato paste, then add the rice with the vermicelli plus salt
# remember 1cup of rice = 1 1/4 tea.s salt do the math ;p.. let it boil 2-3 minutes then drain and fold in gently the macaroni and lentils. Cover on low heat for around 15 minutes.


for the tomato sauce:


1. saute chopped onion then add smashed garlic
2. add diced tomatoes and let it cook until its melted then add a pinch of salt and cumin and drops of vinegar(optional)
3.add ready tomato sauce with little water and stir.
4. with a hand blender, blend until smooth and let it cook to reach desired thickness

SERVE THE KESHRY TOPPED WITH TOMATO SAUCE AND CARAMELIZED ONIONS AND ENJOY EACH BITE OF IT...

Green Caesar Salad

2Ingredients: (2-3 servings)

1.romaine lettuce
2.spinach and Italian parsley
4. Parmesan and feta cheese
5.pine nuts

Dressing:

1. 2table.s olive oil
2. 1table.s lemon juice
3. 1 tea.s mustard and mayonnaise
4.some drops of white vinegar and a pinch of salt and black pepper