Cooking for Seven

I was introduced to this salad by my cousin Krista.

She has graciously allowed me to publish it here.

Delicious Asian flavors are combined in this bright, healthful salad. Rice noodles are tossed with lettuce, vegetables, & chicken. Served with peanut sauce, fish sauce, and chopped peanuts. How could you go wrong?

Continue Reading for the recipe » »

My introduction to curry was early on in my life. Mom made the “Chicken Hurry Curry” recipe found on the back of the chicken package. I don’t remember ever disliking curry, though I was probably a bit skeptical when Mom first set it before us.

Now we simply adore curries. I enjoy both the Indian and Thai versions. I love the thick, spicy Indian curries, but I really like the coconut flavors in the Thai curries.

Here is our current favorite recipe. I’m not sure if the title is correct - it seems to be a blend of Indian and Thai curry. It can be quite spicy, which pleases Dad. If you prefer a milder curry, reduce the amount of spices. But you will be missing out!

This curry is very good served with Thai Coconut Rice.

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Indian Chicken Curry

From All Recipes

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup and 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 small onions, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup and 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (I prefer to leave out the cinnamon)
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger root
• 1 teaspoon sweetener of choice (I like maple syrup)
• salt to taste
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into bite-size pieces
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 cups plain yogurt
• 1-1/2 cups coconut milk
• 1 lemon, juiced (I like to use lime juice as well)
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions:

1) Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onion until lightly browned. Stir in garlic, curry powder, cinnamon (if using) paprika, bay leaf, ginger, sweetener and salt. Continue stirring for 2 minutes.

2) Add chicken pieces, tomato paste, yogurt, and coconut milk. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice and cayenne pepper and remove bay leaf. Serve immediately.

I like to serve with fish sauce, toasted coconut, and red curry paste.

This recipe is for that special occasion when only white rice will do. Like when your sister makes the best chicken curry you’ve ever tasted.

The original recipe declared that it would serve 4. It served all seven of us with leftovers. But then, we’re not much of rice or pasta eaters. We go heavy on the sauce. However, this rice is so good it can be eaten all by itself. Which my sister and I did.

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:: Thai Coconut Rice ::

Ingredients:

2 cups medium-grain rice

2 cups regular coconut milk

1 3/4 cups water

1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt

1 tablespoon coconut oil

2 teaspoons maple syrup, sucanat, brown sugar, or sweetener of choice

1/2 teaspoon coconut flavoring, optional

1-2 tablespoons toasted coconut, optional

Directions:

1) In a large, deep-sided pot, melt the coconut oil over medium heat. Add the rice and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 2 minutes.

2) Add the coconut milk, water, salt, sweetener, and flavoring if using. Stir well. Bring the rice to a boil, stirring occasionally to prevent the rice from burning.

3) When it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low. Place the lid askew on the pot, allowing some of the steam to escape. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice has absorbed all (or nearly all) of the coconut-water.

4) Turn off the heat. Cover the pot tightly with the lid and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes, or until you are ready to serve. When you are ready to serve, fluff the rice with a fork or chopsticks. Top with roasted coconut if desired.

Serves 4-6

P.S. Recipes from the Party coming up next!

I while ago I saw an article in Martha Stewart Living, February 2007 about English puddings. I immediately wanted to make some of the delicious-looking recipes. So we made Eve’s Pudding. I was quite pleased with the results, as was everyone else. Even Dad, the ultimate food critic in our family, said it was good. Keeping with the British tradition, we served our pudding with a vanilla sauce. It was the perfect dessert for a cool, wet fall evening!

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: : Eve’s Pudding : :

Adapted from Martha Stewart Living

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Ingredients:

For the Pudding:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened, plus more for baking dish
• 1 1/4 cups (5 oz.) Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• Salt
• 1 3/4 pounds baking apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices
• 3/4 cup demerara, Sucanat, or rapadura
  
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup whole milk

For the Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups whole milk
• 2 egg yolks, slightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions:

For the Pudding:

1) Preheat oven to 350°. Butter a 9″ square baking dish; set aside. Whisk flour, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl; set aside.

2) Put apples, 1/4 cup sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt into a large bowl; toss to combine. Transfer to prepared baking dish, and sprinkle 2 tablespoons water over top; set aside.

3) Put butter and 6 tablespoons sugar into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each addition. Mix in vanilla. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture, alternating with milk. Mix until combined.

4) Spread batter over apples, and sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Bake until batter is cooked through and juices are bubbling, about 40 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, as the pudding is cooling, make the sauce:

1) Blend maple syrup, cornstarch and salt in a medium saucepan. Combine milk and egg yolks. Gradually stir into sugar mixture.

2) Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in butter and vanilla. Serve warm over the pudding.

The original recipe is supposed to serve 8-10, but seven hungry people didn’t find it hard to lick the pan clean.