Posts Tagged ‘dinner’

Chicken Balti: A Great Curry

May 1, 2011 Gourmet Food

We think that the chicken balti dish that we love in the UK was first invented in Birmingham and because of it’s popularity it was on menus widely by the 1990s. The word “balti” is actually referring to the dish the curry is usually served on. Below is one of my favourite balti recipes, I hope you enjoy.

Serves 4. Ready in 1 hour, 15 minutes.

Curry Sauce Ingredients: Olive oil, 1 onion, 4 cloves garlic, 4cm piece of ginger, 2 green chillies, teaspoon turmeric powder, teaspoon cumin seed, teaspoon coriander seed, 1 teaspoon tomato puree

The Chicken Balti Ingredients 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, olive oil, 2 green peppers, 2 red peppers, 2 onions, 3 green chillies, 2 red chillies, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1 teaspoons paprika powder, 1 teaspoons tumeric powder, teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon tomato puree, 1 teaspoon garam masala, salt.

With curries I find it’s much easier to separate out the cooking of the food and the sauce, and then bringing it all together at the end, so that’s what I’ve done here…

The Curry Sauce:

1. Add a little olive oil into a saucepan and place over a high heat. Peel the onion, dice it into small pieces and add to the pan. Stir for a couple of minutes allowing the onion to soften.

2. Crush the garlic cloves into the pan and stir. Deseed the green chillies and then chop into little chunks and add these to the pan too. Next grate the ginger in, and stir it all up well.

3. Turn the heat down to low and continue to stir for another 10-15 minutes.

4. Add the turmeric powder, cumin seed and coriander seed, and stir for a further 4 minutes.

5. Remove the pan from the heat altogether and allow it to cool. As it cools, add 125ml of cold water into a blender and then add the mixture from the pan. Blend it all up until you have a smooth paste, then add the tomato puree. Blend again until completely smooth.

6. Pour your curry sauce into the pan again and put on a very low heat. As you prepare the main part of the recipe occasionally stir the sauce which should turn an orangey brown colour.

The main part of the Balti:

1. Cut the onion, pepper and chillies into chunks. Deseeds the chillies too.

2. Cut the chicken breasts into nice mouthful sized chunks.

3. Add some oil into a wok and set over a heat set to high. Add the peppers and fry for a few minutes allowing them to soften. Don’t allow them to burn, and after a couple of minutes or so set them aside for later.

4. Add a little more oil to the wok and throw in the chicken breasts, along with some seasoning of salt and pepper if you wish. Stir fry the meat for several minutes until you are confident that the chicken has cooked through. Then remove these too and set aside.

5. Add the onion and chilli to the wok (with some more oil if you need). Also add the cumin seeds while you’re at it, and stir fry this for a few minutes until the onion is tender. Do not allow the onion to start to turn brown.

6. As soon as the onion is soft add the paprika, turmeric and cinnamon and stir fry for a further 30 seconds.

7. Add the chicken cubes back into the wok, also add the curry sauce that you prepared earlier and a teaspoon of tomato puree.

8. Bring the mixture to the boil, add a little more seasoning if you wish, and then turn the heat to low and allow the curry to cook for another 15 minutes or so.

9. After 15 minutes add the peppers back into the curry and mix well, and also add the garam masala.

10. Cook for a further 15 minutes. Add hot water if the sauce is becoming too thick.

For a great directory of chicken breast recipes press the link!

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Learning Skills In Gourmet Cooking Is Challenging

Sep 18, 2010 Gourmet Food

Going from standard cooking to gourmet can be a challenge. Aside from talent and skill, some culinary training may be necessary to take on this task.

People fond of gourmet meals are very precise about what they want in their food. At times, they can even be picky about the ingredients. But one thing is for sure, these people are willing to pay big bucks to get the meal that they deserve.

Gourmet cooking can be a really fun activity. It definitely requires a creative eye, a well tuned pallet, and some genuine skill. If you can make your entre look like masterpiece, taste like heaven, and can draw interest from others, then gourmet cooking may be the right thing for you.

If this is the case, attending culinary school may be a good idea. These professional schools will teach you the right way to go about things in the kitchen. Not only will they teach you how to make good food, but they’ll teach you how to make your food look appetizing as well.

Once you’ve spent enough time practicing your skills in gourmet cooking, sooner or later, you will be able to create your very own masterpieces.

It is very important for gourmet cooks to have a “good name,” because people will eventually find out about their reputation, whether it be good or bad.

Food critics are always up to their game when it comes to publishing what they have to say on print. To be as efficient as possible, they come in disguised as regular folk.

All gourmet eateries must make it a point to ensure that all customers have a delightful experience, from the appetizer to the dessert.

As a cook yourself, you may find it in your interest as well to ensure that every customer’s experience is truly gourmet. Remember, it is your reputation on the line here. Whatever steps you make to protect this reputation would be well worth it.

Enjoy more of this writer’s articles on topics such as gourmet food basket and healthy gift baskets.

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Fun and Affordable Rehearsal Dinner Ideas

Aug 31, 2010 Cupcake Jewelry

The rehearsal dinner which follows the wedding rehearsal is an important part of wedding tradition, but that does not mean that it must be a traditional formal party. In fact, the rehearsal dinner can be as laid back as you like, which also means that you can throw a great party without a huge budget. These are some fun and affordable rehearsal dinner ideas.

Cookout on the beach. A top pick for summer rehearsal dinners, find a beach that allows you to grill, and host a relaxed cookout. Beach food is at its best when it is simple, so think hot dogs and hamburgers, that sort of thing. Best of all, if your party runs into the evening hours, you can have a bonfire and make s’mores. Way more fun than doing your rehearsal dinner in a stuffy hotel and really affordable. Just be sure to check about any permits needed for the bonfire. Wear a sundress and maybe one piece of your wedding jewelry, such as a classic tin cup necklace. A cardigan or wrap for the late night hours would also be a good idea.

Bowling. Yes, bowling. This is one of those ideas that is so out there it is almost trendy. A bowling alley rehearsal dinner is great for families who know how to relax and have a good time together. Bowling a few frames will also help to relieve the last minute wedding stress. To make it even more fun, get vintage bowling shirts for the wedding party or make up mock bowling league shirts that say “bride” and “groom”. Memorable and fun!

Backyard bash. If you or your parents have a spacious backyard, why not have your rehearsal dinner there? Keep the menu easy, and serve the same types of things that you would for any summer barbeque: grilled chicken and burgers, macaroni and potato salad, fresh fruit, and a sweet treat like cupcakes. This can be one of the easiest rehearsal dinners of all to coordinate, as long as the host is not the type to go crazy about remaking the garden to get it “perfect” before the party.
Family style Italian restaurant. Everyone loves Italian food, and it is great for feeding a crowd. An Italian restaurant is a terrific rehearsal dinner idea when you want to have a more traditional type of rehearsal dinner, but still want one that is going to be relaxed and inexpensive. Many restaurants have private rooms which are perfect for hosting parties. The most affordable option is to order large platters of food to pass or to have a buffet style dinner.

If your local Italian restaurant only offers the regular type of service where guests order off a menu, ask if you can create a limited menu of starters and entrees especially for your rehearsal dinner. This will allow you to keep costs under control by selecting entrees within your price range, and it should make it easier for the restaurant to get the dinner out more quickly and efficiently. Order bottles of white and red wine for the table, rather than having guests order wine by the glass as another cost cutting measure. For an indoor rehearsal dinner, you can feel free to dress up a little more. A pretty dress worn with a great pair of shoes and jewelry like your wedding earrings will be just right.

When it comes to planning an affordable and enjoyable rehearsal dinner, let your creativity be your guide. The party can be as offbeat as you like. The point of a rehearsal dinner is to bring the bride and groom’s families and attendants together before the wedding, not to have a fancy or upscale evening. As long as the conversation is flowing, spirits will be high and everyone will have a great time!


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