Food and Drink
Chicken stir-fry in 4 easy steps recipe
Asian cooking can be light, healthy and so quick that you’ll think twice before ever ordering a takeaway again!
Ingredients:
– 4 skinless boneless chicken breast fillets
– 1 egg white
– 1 tbsp cornflour, plus 1 tsp extra
– 350g fragrant Thai rice
– thumb-sized knob of root ginger
– 1 red pepper
– 1 shallot
– 1 garlic clove
– 1 red chilli (optional)
– 1 tbsp vegetable oil
– 1 tbsp fish sauce
– juice 1 lime
– handful basil leaves
Method
STEP 1
Velveting the chicken: Slice the chicken into bite-size pieces. Beat together the egg white and 1 tbsp cornflour in a bowl. Tip in the chicken and coat with the mix (see Know-how, top right). Marinate for 15-30 mins (don’t place in the fridge or the mix will harden). Now rinse the rice in a sieve under the cold tap until the water runs clear.
STEP 2
Making perfect rice: Drain the rice, tip into a pan with a lid and pour over 600ml water and a pinch of salt. Bring the water to a boil, then cook the rice uncovered for 10 mins or so until the water has almost boiled away and small craters appear. Cover with a lid, turn the heat down as low as it will go and cook for 10 mins more.
STEP 3
Getting the ingredients ready: Strip the ginger skin with a teaspoon and finely chop until you have 1 tbsp. Halve the pepper and trim off the stalk, inner pith and seeds. Cut into bite-size pieces. Peel the shallot and garlic clove, then thinly slice. Trim the ends off the chilli, if using, remove the seeds if you like it milder, and cut them into thin slices. Remove the chicken from the egg marinade and pat dry with kitchen paper.
STEP 4
Foolproof stir-frying: Heat a wok and pour in 1 tbsp oil. Cook the chicken for 7-10 mins, tossing until just cooked. Set aside. Pour in some more oil if you need to. Add the pepper and cook for 1 min, then cook the ginger, shallot and garlic for 1-2 mins more. Combine the fish sauce, lime juice, 50ml water and 1 tsp cornflour. Tip into the wok, then add the chicken. Cook for 1 min, stir through the basil, then serve with the rice.
source – cooking365coza
Roast chicken noodle soup recipe. Have dinner on the table in a flash with this 5-ingredient chicken and noodle soup.
Ingredients (6)
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– 1kg Soup Starter Pack, cut into 2cm pieces
– 2 Massel 7’s Stock Cubes Chicken Style
– 250g Coles Australian Spaghetti No.1, broken into 5cm pieces
– 1/2 (about 500g) Hot Roast Chicken, skin and bones removed, meat shredded
– 6 cups (1.5L) water
Method
Step 1
Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add vegetables and cook for 2-3 mins until lightly browned.
Step 2
Add stock cubes and 6 cups (1.5L) water. Stir in pasta. Bring to the boil.
Step 3
Simmer for 10 mins or until vegetables are tender and pasta is al dente. Add the chicken. Simmer until the chicken is heated through. Season.
source – BBC
20-minute healthy bolognese recipe. Lentils, cherry tomatoes and basil provide a rich colour and flavour for this bright, modern take on beef bolognese that the family will love. The best part is that it’ll be ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients (12)
– 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
– 500g beef mince
– 1/3 cup (95g) tomato paste
– 4 garlic cloves, finely grated
– 1/4 cup (75g) caramelised onion jam
– 2 tbsp soy sauce
– 400g can lentils, rinsed, drained
– 375g instant lasagne sheets
– 500g mixed cherry tomatoes, halved
– Pinch of Oregano Leaves
– Basil leaves, to serve
– Grated parmesan, to serve
Method
Step 1
Heat the 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large pan over high heat. Cook 500g beef mince, stirring, for 3 minutes or until browned. Add 1/3 cup (95g) tomato paste and 4 garlic cloves, finely grated, and cook for 2 minutes, then add 1/4 cup (75g) caramelised onion jam, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 400g can lentils, rinsed, drained and 1 cup (250ml) water. Reduce heat to medium. Season with black pepper. Cook for 12 minutes or until slightly reduced. Remove from heat.
Step 2
Meanwhile, cook 375g instant lasagne sheets in a pan of boiling salted water according to packet instructions until al dente. Drain.
Step 3
Top lasagne sheets with bolognese, 500g mixed cherry tomatoes, halved, Pinch of Oregano Leaves, Basil leaves, to serve and Grated parmesan, to serve to serve.
source – tastecom
Lemon meringue scones recipe. Swap your regular scones for something a bit different: this easy, retro recipe inspired by lemon meringue pie.
Ingredients (10)
– 400g (2 2/3 cups) self-raising flour, plus extra, to dust
– 100g (1/2 cup) caster sugar
– 60g butter, chilled, chopped
– 1 tbsp finely grated lemon rind
– 250ml (1 cup) lemonade
– 80ml (1/3 cup) fresh lemon juice
– 25g bought mini meringues, finely crushed
– 160ml (2/3 cup) thickened cream, whipped
– 130g (1/2 cup) bought lemon curd
– Icing sugar, to dust
Method
Step 1
Preheat oven to 220C/200C fan forced. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Sift the 400g (2 2/3 cups) self-raising flour, plus extra, to dust into a large bowl. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the 100g (1/2 cup) caster sugar. Use your fingertips to rub the 60g butter, chilled, chopped into the mixture until it resembles fine crumbs. Stir in the 1 tbsp finely grated lemon rind. Make a well in the centre.
Step 2
Pour the 250ml (1 cup) lemonade into the well. Use a flat-bladed knife in a cutting motion to mix until evenly incorporated and the mixture just begins to hold together. Knead on a lightly floured surface until just smooth. Shape dough into a 2cm-thick disc. Use a round 6cm-diameter pastry cutter dipped in extra flour to cut 12 rounds from the dough, re-shaping offcuts as needed. Place the scones, slightly apart, on the prepared tray. Bake for 17 minutes or until golden and scones sound hollow when tapped on top.
Step 3
Meanwhile, place the 80ml (1/3 cup) fresh lemon juice and remaining sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to the boil over high heat. Boil for 3-4 minutes or until thickens slightly. Remove from heat.
Step 4
Use a serrated knife to slice the warm scones in half horizontally. Brush the tops of the scones with the syrup then sprinkle with 25g bought mini meringues, finely crushed. Top the scone bases with 160ml (2/3 cup) thickened cream, whipped and 130g (1/2 cup) bought lemon curd then sandwich with the scone tops. Serve dusted with Icing sugar, to dust.
source – tastecom