Breaded Chicken

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I love breaded chicken! Of course, the deep fried version is my favorite but the skillet fried version is a close second. Then again, skillet fried being healthier maybe we should bump it up to numero uno. What do you say?



This recipe is inspired by 'barefoot contessa.' Recently, I saw her on TV featuring zesty lemon breaded chicken. It looked terrific, and seeing that it was skillet fried I decided to give it a whirl myself. Not disappointed at all, and will definitely keep making it with or without lemon zest.



Having not used any lemon zest, I made a lemon vinaigrette with juice of one lemon and double the quantity of extra virgin olive oil. Spice up the vinaigrette with freshly ground black pepper, and a shallot or two, and you have a fantastic dinner.



Ingredients:

Chicken Breast - 3
All-purpose flour - 1/2 cup
Bread crumbs - 1/2 cup
Parmesan Cheese - 1/4 cup
Salt - 1/2 tspn
Pepper - generous amount
Egg - 1
Cajun Spice - 1/2 tspn
Butter - for skillet frying
Olive oil - for frying

Method:

1. Take each chicken breast in a zip lock bag and without closing it pound the chicken with a mallet or rolling pin
2. Mix flour, Cajun spice, salt and pepper and keep it in a dinner plate
3. In another plate take bread flour and parmesan cheese
4. Beat one egg in a bowl in which you can dip the chicken breast
5. Coat each chicken breast in the flour mixture followed by the egg and lastly coat it with the bread crumbs.
6. Heat the butter and olive oil in a skillet and fry the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes on each side

Contributor: Sunitha
Inspired by Barefoot Contessa's recipe

Chicken Tacos

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Do you like Mexican cuisine? How about a delicious meal that can be put together in less than an hour? Now, I am sure I have your full attention. Who after all can say no to less time in the kitchen, and yet tasty food on the table! Thriving fast food joints everywhere are a sure proof to this fact.

I am no different! Once I found out that tacos put together at home can hold it’s own to tacos from my favorite joint, there was no stopping me. With fresh ingredients, and chicken that is cooked at home this recipe is healthier. More over, children love this stuff and indulge and for once you don’t have to curtail them from having an extra bite or two.

And now, with cricket being my latest distraction, I am thinking it won’t be a bad idea to have some tacos while enjoying the game too. Please agree with me!










Ingredients:

Taco shells- 12

Chicken breast- 1 lbs, cut into bite size pieces
Pepper- 1 tsp
Salt
Olive oil- 1 tbsp
Lemon juice- 1 tsp
Garlic powder- 2 tsp
Jalapenos finely chopped- 1/2/to your taste
Chicken stock- 1 cup

Bell pepper julienne- 1/4 cup
Lettuce finely chopped- 1/4 cup
Guacamole- from 2 avocados(find the recipe here)
Mexican cheese- 1/2 cup (A Mixture of Monterey Jack, Mild Cheddar, Queso Quesadilla and Asadero cheese)
Sour cream- 1/4cup (optional)
Salsa/chopped tomatoes- 1/4 cup

Method:

1.Marinate the chicken with pepper, oil,salt,lemon juice and garlic powder and keep aside for at least 15 minutes.
2.Boil the stock and add the marinated chicken into it.
3.After 3-4 minutes add the jalapeno slices and continue cooking till chicken is almost done.
4.Increase the heat and cook till all the water is absorbed.
5.Switch off when there is still a little water left, just enough to moisten the chicken.
6.Prepare the shells according to package instructions.
7.Fill them with cooked chicken,sour cream,salsa and veggies sprinkle the cheese over.
8.Place them on a baking sheet/microwave safe plate and warm in an oven at 400 degree F/on high in a microwave for 30-45 seconds, till the cheese is melted.
9.Serve with guacamole and some Mexican cumin rice or as it is.





Linking this to Anyone can cook

Notes:

1.The fillings are completely versatile, as many of you know.
2.This is how my family likes it.You could make it vegetarian by using tofu and vegetable stock.And maybe add some bean chili for filling


Contributor: Namitha

Breadfruit/Kadachakka Thoran

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   Collaborative curry was on a roll last weekend.  We were featured in the prestigious Hindu Newspaper. Huh! Can you imagine the thrill.  We are mighty pleased and want to thank you all for supporting and being there to cheer us on.If you haven't got a chance to take a peek, here is a link  A special thanks to Rachel of Tangerine's Kitchen, the lovely lady who brought the published feature to our attention.



  Mostly, the news paper highlighted our Kerala Cuisine and we are proud of it.  I decided there is no better way to concur with this sentiment than to give you one more of our favorite recipe from Kottayam.  This recipe is Namitha's, but since I got access to frozen breadfruit before her, I cooked it.  It is quite different from the regular thoran but very good by its own right.    



Ingredients:

Bread Fruit              - 1   Lb
Shallots                   -  2   nos
Coriander Powder   -  2   tspn or to taste
Chili Powder           -  1   tspn or to taste
Turmeric Powder    - 1/2 tspn
Coconut                  -  1/3 rd Cup

For tempering:
Mustard                  - 1/2 tspn
Shallots,finely chopped- 2
Curry Leaves          - 1    sprig
Dry red chilies         - 3   broken

Method:

1. Cook the breadfruit with water at par with the vegetables in the pot.
2. The cooking time for the breadfruit varies.  Check frequently to make sure it does not overcook.
3. Once the vegetable is almost cooked add coriander powder, chili powder, turmeric powder and cover the vessel
4. Give the coconut and shallots a whirl in your mixer to lightly crush
5. Add this mixture and salt and stir
6. Temper in coconut oil or oil of preference.  (Heat oil, add mustard and wait till it splutter, follow up with shallots, curry leaves and dry red chilies and when they are fried and aromatic pour over the vegetable)
7. Serve it with rice and curry

Note:
1. Bread fruit like I mentioned earlier have varied cooking time and some time you might have to pressure cook it.

Contributor: Sunitha