Red Indian Basil Chicken

Ruth Isaac

Fresh Indian Tulsi Chicken

Have you ever made chicken with Fresh Indian Basil (Tulsi Leaves)?  I was very excited when the tulsi seeds I planted grew into lush, beautiful plants.   I wondered whether I could use it to cook chicken since I had so much of it.  To cut a long story short, I use it for many of my recipes now - soups, sauces, curries, bread and what not.  Here then is a very simple recipe that is a feast for the eyes and taste buds.

The Recipe:

500 gms chicken fillets, boneless; 1/2 cup very ripe tomatoes, ground to a pulpy consistency; 1 onion, sliced fine; 3 flakes garlic, minced; about 7 Tulsi leaves and a few more for garnishing; a slice of cheese, torn into pieces for topping;salt to taste;  2 tbsp olive oil for frying.

Wash and drain the chicken.  Heat oil in a large non stick wok.  Add oil and when hot, lower the flame to medium and stir fry the onions, garlic and tulsi leaves till the onions are glazed and transparent.  Add the chicken and saute till golden brown all over.  Pour in the tomato mixture and cook for 5 minutes till as thick as you want and the colour changes.  Add salt to taste.  Transfer to serving dish, scatter the cheese and garnish with the tulsi leaves.  Serve with warm garlic bread or toast.

http://fromthefryingpan.blogspot.com/2010/01/tasty-toast.html

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Red Tomato Bread

Red Tomato Bread

I have been madly baking bread and going through various sites and recipes ever since I learnt to use my bread maker.  It sat on the shelf for a long, long time until I plucked up the courage to unpack it, read the manual and install it in my kitchen.  The first loaf was a total disaster as I pressed all the wrong buttons.  I improved with practice, however and now all I do is measure the ingredients accurately, put it into the bread maker in the right order and relax or multi task while the bread maker does it's work and tap out the loaf when I hear the beep, beep beep.

NB:  The light loaf is a result of using fresh tomatoes whereas the bright red loaf came from tinned tomato puree.  Both tasted delicious though and it's up to you to choose what you want to use.

I used Tulsi leaves (Indian Basil) as I grow a few plants at home.  Basic Recipe from Bread Machine ( Now You're Cooking).  Thank you Sheela for the book.

The Recipe:

1 1/4 cups warm water; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp chopped shallots; 1/2 tsp minced garlic; 2 tbsp chopped tulsi leaves;  4 tbsp tomato puree; 2 tsp brown sugar; 4 1/2 cups unbleached bread flour; 2 tsp instant yeast.

Place ingredients in the bread maker in the order listed.  Switch the machine on and press the required buttons.
Programme:  Basic

Size: Medium

Colour:  Medium

Relax and unwind and switch the machine off when the loaf is ready.  (  It will beep).  Take the loaf out and enjoy.

For those who do not have a bread machine:

Place the flour in a deep mixing bowl and sprinkle the yeast on top.  Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well with a wooden spoon until the mixture comes together.  Knead for 20 minutes until smooth and elastic.  If you happen to own a cake mixer use the dough hooks to knead the mixture for 10 minutes.   Cover with cling film and keep in warm place to rise until double in size.  This takes about 1 hour or so.  Punch it down and knead again for 5 minutes.  Shape into a round loaf and place 

1. on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
2. With a sharp knife, cut a large "X" in top of loaf. Bake in a preheated oven at 375° for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to a wire rack to cool.  Slice and serve with garlic butter, mixed vegetables and cheese or Roast Chicken.  

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