Spiced New Year Chicken

Mixed Spice Chicken

This is a recipe worthy of a celebration and deserves to be on any festive menu.  My late mum in law was a great cook and gave me her sister's recipe book nearly three decades ago.  Although it was tattered and the pages falling apart, I was able to salvage many of the recipes from it and thinking about it makes my mouth water.  Those were recipes of a bygone era and hardly anyone makes them today.  This is one which has becomne a family favourite and it could become yours too.

Wishing all my friends and family a Prosperous & Delicious 2015.  May you reach for the stars and achieve all your dreams.

The Recipe:

1 large chicken ( 2 kgs), skinned, jointed, washed and drained; 2 large onions, sliced fine; 2 tbsp oilive oil for cooking.

Masala:  5 cardamoms; 5 cloves; 1 1/2 tsp aniseed (saunf):  Roast in a pan and cool.  Add 2 tsp chilli powder or more to taste; 1/2 tsp turmeric powder; 1 inch piece ginger, sliced; 12 flakes garlic, cut small; salt to taste and grind to a smooth paste with 1/4 cup vinegar.  Marinade the chicken in this mixture overnight in your refrigerator.  Next day, bring to room temperature and keep ready for cooking.

Heat the olive oil in a large non stick pan and stir fry the onions to a beautiful golden brown on a medium flame.  Add the chicken aand gently cook until brown all over.  If there is any marinade remaining add it to the chicken.  Cover and cook for 10 minutes checking frequently to ensure it does not get caught at the bottom.  A little water (1/4 cup) may be added for additional gravy.  Test to see whether chicken is cooked and remove from fire.  Serve hot with Jeera Rice or any of the recipes you find on my blog.  This is one of those recipes that you fall in love with and crave for again and again.

Cardamom Panna Cotta

Creamy Panna Cotta Dessert

I got this idea while browsing through some recipes some time ago.  My family loves Panna Cotta and what better than a low calorie version of it.  One of the most satisfying and delicious desserts to make.  The best part, we can indulge in it any time thanks to our daily Ideal Breakfast of the Herbalife Shake.

The Recipe:

2 cups curds (yoghurt); 2 cups milk; 1/2 cup castor sugar or to taste; 12 large scoops milk powder; 1/4 teaspoon cardamom seeds, crushed; 20 gms gelatin; ¼ cup water; a few grapes, sliced; honey to drizzle on top (optional).

Whisk the curds, milk and sugar together.  Add the milk powder and whisk to a smooth consistency.  Heat ¼ cup water and sprinkle the gelatin over it.  Steep the bowl in a pan of simmering water until the gelatin has completely dissolved.  This takes about 15 minutes.  Pour it into the yoghurt mixture and whisk till completely mixed.  Stir in the crushed cardamom seeds.  Pour into glass bowl and transfer to the refrigerator.  When half set, arrange the sliced fruit on top (it should not sink into the pudding).  Return to refrigerator.  Drizzle honey on top just before serving.  Can make individual portions too.