Honey-Sesame Chicken w/ Spring Onions on a Bed of Steamed Rice

Ingredients:

3 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless cut into cubes
3 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp rice vinegar
5 tbsp honey
2 tbsp sesame oil
1 small piece ginger, ground
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 tbsp cornstarch
2 sprigs of spring onion (Scallions), chopped to large pieces
1 tbsp sesame seeds, roasted
salt & pepper
1 cup short grain rice

Method:

Start by seasoning the chicken with salt and pepper.
In a bowl, mix together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and cornstarch. set it aside.
In a pan put some oil, saute the chicken over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until it's cooked all through.
Add the mixture to the cooked chicken while on the stove, mix for a minute, then add the chopped spring onions and stir. Remove from heat.
Sprinkle with roasted sesame seeds.
Serve over a bed of steamed rice.

Enjoy!

Oozie.. ~ Syrian

Ingredients:

2 cups short grain rice

1 Americana square minced beef

2-3 finely chopped onions

1 cup green peas

1/2 cup roasted pine nuts

1 Maggie chicken cube

salt / Black pepper

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon curry powder

1 teaspoon mixed spices

1 pack of Americana frozen phyllo dough

Method:

- Wash the rice and soak it in water for 15 minutes.

- In a pot, sauté the onions until golden then add the minced beef.

- Add salt, black pepper, curry, mixed spices and Maggie chicken cube and mix.

- Add rice to the the meet and mix well on low heat.

- Add 4 glasses of boiling water or until it covers the rice, and let the rice simmer for 10 minutes

- Meanwhile in another pot, boil the chick pea to soften them.

- Add the green peas and pine nuts to the previous mixture and leave it to cook until all the water evaporates and the rice is cooked.

- Once the rice mixture is done leave it to cool on the side.

- prepare the phyllo dough by cutting it into squares and using a small bowl as a mold, line the bowl with the phyllo dough, fill it with the rice mixture and fold it to close.

- Place the finished phyllo filled dough in a large oven pan, brush each one with butter then place it in the oven for 20 -25 minutes until golden.

- Serve it with cucumber yogurt salad.

Chicken with Ginger and Soy Sauce

Serves 4


Ingredients:

1/3 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, plus sprigs for garnish
1 piece fresh ginger (about 2 inches long), peeled and cut into thin strips
5 scallions, thinly sliced on the diagonal
1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 Teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 Teaspoon ground pepper
4 chicken drumsticks and 4 thighs, skin removed
2 medium carrots, thinly sliced crosswise
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
cooked white rice, for serving


Method:

- In a pot, stir together soy sauce, sugar, garlic, cilantro, ginger, 1/2 cup scallions, vinegar, coriander, and pepper.

- Add chicken and carrots; toss to coat. Cover, and cook on low until chicken is tender, about 2 hours .

- Using a large spoon, skim off and discard any fat from surface of cooking liquid.

- In a 2-cup glass measuring cup, whisk cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water. Ladle 1 cup cooking liquid into measuring cup; whisk to combine. Pour into a small saucepan, and bring to a boil; cook until thickened, about 1 minute.

- With the heat turned off, stir in cornstarch mixture. Serve chicken with white rice, and garnish with cilantro sprigs and remaining 1/2 cup scallions.


Tip:

Could be done in a slow cooker for approx. 6 hours instead of 2.


Enjoy...

Mushroom & Parsley Couscous

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon olive oil
1 cup sliced button mushrooms
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup couscous
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons chicken broth or water
2 tablespoons minced parsley
Salt and pepper, to taste


Method:

In a saucepan, heat the oil and add the mushrooms and a pinch of salt. Sauté for 3 minutes, stirring often.

Add the couscous, broth, parsley and salt and pepper. Stir and bring to a boil.

Remove from the heat and cover. Let mixture sit 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve hot.


Enjoy...

Risotto in Lemon cups ~ GL

Courtesy of Chef Giada De Laurentiis

Serves 6


Ingredients:

2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons butter, plus 1 tablespoon
1 large shallot, diced
1 cup short grain rice
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan, plus 2 tablespoons
2 tablespoons mascarpone cheese
1/2 a lemon, zested and juiced
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 lemons, for serving


Method:

- In a medium saucepan bring the broth and 1/2 cup water to a simmer. Cover the broth and keep hot over low heat.

- In a medium, heavy saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add the shallot and saute until tender but not brown, about 3 minutes. Add the rice and stir to coat with the butter. Add 1/2 cup of the simmering broth and stir until almost completely absorbed, about 2 minutes.

- Continue cooking the rice, adding the broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly and allowing each addition of the broth to absorb before adding the next, until the rice is tender but still firm to the bite and the mixture is creamy, about 20 minutes.

- Remove from the heat. Stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter, 2 tablespoons of Parmesan, mascarpone cheese, the lemon zest and juice, and the salt and pepper.

- To serve, cut 1/4-inch off the bottom of each lemon so they stand on their own. Take 1-inch off the stem end. Using a spoon scoop out the flesh of the lemon and discard.

- Fill each lemon with about 1/2 cup of risotto. Sprinkle the tops with the remaining 2 tablespoons of Parmesan. Serve immediately.


Very creative and yummy...

Asparagus and Sesame Shrimp

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 cup jasmine rice
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons olive oil
1&1/2 teaspoons Asian sesame oil
2 pounds asparagus, trimmed
1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons seasoned rice vinegar
1 large green onion, chopped
1 pound large shrimp
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper


Method:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Prepare rice as label directs.

2. Meanwhile, in cup, combine salt, 2 teaspoons olive oil, and 1 teaspoon sesame oil. In a pan, toss asparagus with oil mixture; roast 10 to 12 minutes, until tender.

3. In small bowl, whisk soy sauce, vinegar, green onion, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil; set aside dressing. Shell and devein shrimp.

4. In a skillet, heat 2 teaspoons olive oil over medium-high heat until very hot. Add shrimp; sprinkle with red pepper and cook 3 minutes, stirring frequently.

5. Arrange shrimp, asparagus, and rice on 4 plates; drizzle with dressing.


Tip:

You can substitute long-grain aromatic basmati for the jasmine rice.

Indian Chicken ~ Indian

Serves 4


Ingredients:

1/2 cup Chopped onion
1/4 teaspoon Garlic powder
2 cup cooked diced chicken
1/2 teaspoon Pepper
28oz Whole tomatoes, can
2 tabelspoon Chopped parsley
2 cup Cooked rice
1/2 cup Chopped green pepper
1 teaspoon Vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1&1/2 teaspoon Curry powder
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup Raisins


Method:

Cook the onions, pepper, garlic powder in oil until the onions get tender, about 3 minutes.

Add the chicken, tomatoes, parsley, green peppers, curry powder and worcestershire sauce until well mixed except rice, cook over low heat for 30 min.

Serve over rice.

Enjoy...

Mushroom & Peas Risotto

Serves 6


Ingredients:

8 cups canned low-salt chicken broth
1/2-ounce dried porcini mushrooms
1/4 cup unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups finely chopped onions
10 ounces white mushrooms, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1&1/2 cups short-grain white rice
2/3 cup water
3/4 cup frozen peas, thawed
2/3 cup grated Parmesan
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, optional


Method:

- Bring the broth to a simmer in a heavy medium saucepan. Add the porcini mushrooms. Set aside until the mushrooms are tender, about 5 minutes. Keep the broth warm over very low heat.

- Melt the butter in a heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add olive oil. Add the onions and saute until tender, about 8 minutes. Add the white mushrooms and garlic. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the porcini mushrooms to a cutting board.

- Finely chop the mushrooms and add to the saucepan. Saute until the mushrooms are tender and the juices evaporate, about 5 minutes. Stir in the rice and let it toast for a few minutes. Add 1 cup of hot broth; simmer over medium-low heat until the liquid is absorbed, stirring often, about 3 minutes.

- Continue to cook until the rice is just tender and the mixture is creamy, adding more broth by cupfuls and stirring often, about 28 minutes (the rice will absorb 6 to 8 cups of broth). Stir in the peas. Mix in the Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.


Enjoy...

Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Prep. time: 30 min.
Cooking time: 15 min.


Serves 10



Ingredients:

1 package long grain and wild rice mix
1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
1/2 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
1&1/4 cups chopped onions
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon oil
2 cans chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 can evaporated milk
6 tablespoons sliced green onions



Method:

1. Boil rice and prepare it according to the package, omitting butter. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, sauté the chicken, mushrooms, onions and garlic in oil until chicken is no longer pink and vegetables are tender.

2. Add the prepared rice, broth, tarragon, thyme, and pepper; bring to a boil. Combine cornstarch and evaporated milk until smooth; stir into rice mixture. Return to a boil; cook for 1-2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Garnish with green onions.

Chicken Fried Rice ~ Chinese

Serves 6


Ingredients:

1 tablespoon Oil
1 Egg, slightly beaten
2 tablespoons Oil
1 cup chicken, finely diced
1 medium onion, finely diced
1/2 cup carrots, finely diced
1/2 cup bamboo shoots, finely diced
1/2 cup celery, finely diced
1 cup fresh bean sprouts
1/2 cup frozen peas (opt)
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (opt)
4 cups cooked rice (short grain)
Soy sauce
Salt & Pepper


Method:

1. Cut up and prepare all ingredients. Reserve.

2. Heat wok up with 1 tablespoon oil and fry egg into a thin sheet. Remove to plate and reserve.

3. Add 2 tablespoons more oil to wok. Heat until smoking. Stir fry chicken and onion together until cooked.

4. Add bean sprouts, peas, celery. Stir and cook for 2 minutes with wok covered. Uncover wok, add all the rest of the vegetables. Stir fry and cook covered for 2 additional minutes.

5. Add cooked rice, season with salt, pepper, soy sauce. Reduce heat to medium. Take your turner and break up clumps of rice as finely as possible. Make sure rice takes up soy sauce and does not remain white.

6. Keep stir-frying until all rice is broken up and heated through. Shut heat off. Cut up sheet of egg into small pieces and stir into rice, or remove rice to serving platter and garnish with egg slivers.


Enjoy...

Seafood Paella

Paella is a one of the world's most famous rice dishes, and this version is a seafood extravaganza. My distant cousin's wife is morrocan and she makes it so well.
Traditionally, paella is prepared in a paellera (a wide, shallow pan with looped handles) and cooked over an outdoor fire. However, a large shallow frying pan makes an acceptable substitute.


Serves 4


Ingredients:

1 red onion
1 red pepper
1 green pepper
4 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
2 ripe tomatoes
16 large shrimps, deveined
2 squid tubes, cut into rings
12 fresh mussels
Plenty of extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons paprika
1&1/2 cup medium-grain rice
3 cups of heated fish or chicken stock
pinch of saffron
1&1/2 teaspoons sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 a cup of defrosted green peas

Lemon wedges


Method:

1- Finely chop 1 red onion, dice 1 red and 1 green pepper, finely chop 4 cloves of garlic, and finely chop 2 tablespoons of fresh flat-leaf parsley.

2- Using a box grater, puree 2 ripe tomatoes, discarding the skin. Alternatively you can use a cup of canned peeled tomatoes mashed with a fork.

3- Peel and devein 16 large raw shrimp, cut 2 squid tubes into rings, and scrub and debeard 12 fresh mussels. Cover and refrigerate.

4- Start making the sofarito which is a Spanish tomato and onion sauce used as a flavor base for a variety of dishes. Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in the paella pan over a medium heat and cook the chopped red onion, 2 tablespoons of parsley and 3 of the chopped garlic cloves for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the pureed tomatoes and 2 teaspoons of paprika and cook until all the liquid from the tomatoes has evaporated and the sofrito has the consistency of jam. Transfer the sofrito to a small bowl and wipe clean the paella pan.

5- While the sofrito is cooking, place the mussels in a saucepan with half a cup of simmering water. Cover and steam on a low heat for 5 minutes. Remove mussels and set aside, discarding any that haven't opened.

6- Heat 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in the paella pan over a medium-high heat. Add the remaining clove of chopped garlic and the shrimp and cook for 1½ minutes, tossing continuously. Add the squid rings and cook for a further 1½ minutes. Remove the shrimp and squid from the paella pan and lightly season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cover and set aside.

7- Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in the paella pan over a medium heat and cook the diced red and green peppers for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally.

8- Add the sofrito back to the pan along with 1&1/2 cups rice and cook for a minute, stirring to coat the grains.

9- Add 3 cups of heated fish or chicken stock, a pinch of saffron, 1&1/2 teaspoons sea salt and ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Stir to combine, and bring to a rolling simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, uncovered without stirring. (To make sure the rice cooks evenly you will need to regularly move the paella pan around the heat source)

10- Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and cook for a further 15 minutes without stirring. After 15 minutes, turn the heat up to medium-high for a minute or so until you can smell the rice toasting at the bottom, then remove the paella pan from the heat. (The toasted rice bottom of a paella is called socorrat and is highly prized.)

11- Push the reserved shrimp, mussels and squid into the cooked rice, and scatter with half a cup of defrosted green peas. Cover the pan with foil or a clean cloth, and let the paella rest for 5 minutes.

12- Present the paella in the pan at the table with lemon wedges on the side for drizzling.

Enjoy...