Showing posts with label Rice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rice. Show all posts

Friday, November 28, 2008

Prawn Curry

Ingredients
1 Onion (sliced)
2 Cloves Garlic (crushed)
500g Frozen Prawns
2 Teaspoons Ground Coriander
1/2 Teaspoon Ginger
1 Teaspoon Turmeric
1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cumin
1/2 Teaspoon Chilli Powder
2 Tablespoons Vinegar
200ml Water
250g Rice
A Good Splash of Oil
Fresh Coriander to Garnish

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Large Pan (2/3rds full with boiling salted water)
1 Frying Pan
1 Spatula
1 Garlic Press
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Spoon

The Good Bit
  1. Get the rice on first, cook as described on the home page (10-15 minutes in boiling salted water) whilst that is cooking, heat the oil in the frying pan and cook the onion and garlic until just beginning to colour
  2. In the mixing bowl, mix the spices together and add the vinegar until you have a smooth paste, then tip that into the onion and garlic and stir for 3 minutes, tip in the prawns and stir well so they are evenly coated.
  3. Finally pour in the water and bring to the boil, simmer gently for 4-5 minutes (check the prawns are heated through, then serve with the rice.
Serves 4

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Cod and Prawn Coconut Curry

Ingredients
675g Cod Fillets (skinned)
6 Tablespoons Masala Curry Paste (green if you can find it)
200ml Coconut Milk
175g Frozen Prawns
250g Rice (cooked to serve)
Handful Fresh Coriander (roughly chopped to garnish)

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Large Frying Pan

The Good Bit
  1. Heat the curry paste and coconut milk in the frying pan, leaving it to simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, in the mean time cut your cod into 4 cm chunks.
  2. Put all the fish in the pan and and cook gently for 5 minutes, until the fish is tender and the prawns are warm throughout, serve with the rice and garnish with the coriander. Follow my guide on the front page for perfect rice every time, you should start your rice just before you warm up the coconut milk, that way it should be ready about the same time.
Serves 4

Friday, November 7, 2008

Beef Pepperpot

Ingredients
750g Beef (cubed)
2 Tablespoons Flour
1 Teaspoon Paprika
12 Shallots
125g Button Mushrooms
1 Clove Garlic (crushed)
200g Can Chopped Tomatoes
450ml Beef Stock
1 Red Pepper (de seeded and chopped into 1 cm strips)
1 Green Pepper (de seeded and chopped into 1 cm strips)
Salt and Pepper
Rice to serve (cooked according to instructions)
Splash of Oil

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Large Casserole Dish
1 Large Frying Pan
1 Garlic Press
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Wooden Spoon
1 Spatula

The Good Bit
  1. Pre heat your oven to 160c 325f or gas 3. Mix together the flour, paprika and a pinch of salt and pepper, drop in the beef and make sure it is well coated.
  2. Fry the shallots, garlic and mushrooms in a little oil in the frying pan until the onions just begin to colour, remove and set aside. Quickly fry off the meat until it has browned on all sides, then add back in the shallots, garlic and mushrooms.
  3. Any seasoned flour that you have left, chuck that in to, stirring well for 1 minute before adding in the tomatoes and stock, bring to the boil and transfer to your casserole dish.
  4. Cook in the oven for 1 1/2 hours then add in the peppers and cook for a further 30 minutes, serve with the rice.
Serves 4-6

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Portuguese Pork

Ingredients
900g Pork (cubed)
2 Large Onions (chopped thinly)
4 Fresh Red Chillies
4 Tablespoons Vindaloo Curry Paste (or milder curry paste if you don't want it to hot)
6 Tablespoons White Wine Vinegar
1/2 Teaspoon Fenugreek Seeds
6 Tablespoons Tomato Purée
1 Teaspoon Turmeric Powder
1 Teaspoon Mustard Seeds (crushed)
1/2 Teaspoon Mustard Powder
1 1/2 Teaspoons sugar
Salt
250ml Water
A Splash of Oil
250g Rice

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Mortar and Pestle
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Large Frying Pan
2 Large Pans (1 of which is 2/3rds full of salted boiling water for the rice)

The Good Bit
  1. Fry the onion off in a little oil until it goes clear and soft, put this along with all the other ingredients except the water in your mixing bowl, mix very well and leave to marinate for 2 hours.
  2. Once marinated pour the mixture either back into the large frying pan or just a large pan and add the water, bring to a low simmer and cook for another 2 hours, 20 minutes before the end cook your rice.
Serves 4

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Fried Rice With Pork

Ingredients
150g Pork Fillets (sliced into bite size pieces)
3 Tablespoons Light Soy Sauce
1 Onion (sliced)
1 Clove Garlic (crushed)
2 Eggs (beaten)
1 Tablespoon Tomato Purée
1 Tablespoon Sugar
750g Rice (cooked already maybe from the day before)
A Splash of Oil
1/4 Cucumber (Thinly sliced)
1 Lemon (cut into wedges)
2 Tablespoons Fresh Coriander (roughly chopped)
1 Red Chilli (de seeded and thinly chopped) OPTIONAL


Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Garlic Press
1 Frying Pan/Wok
1 Spatula

The Good Bit
  1. It is a good idea to have all your vegetables ready and everything at hand near the cooker for this recipe as you have to move fairly fast. Heat the oil in the frying pan and add the garlic, stir frying for 1 minute, add the pork and 1 teaspoon of soy sauce and stir fry over a medium heat for about 5 minutes.
  2. Drop the eggs in and really stir now (you don't want an omelette!!) for 2 minutes then add the tomato purée, sugar and the rest of the soy sauce along with the onion, keep stirring for 1 minute.
  3. Now add the rice and cook for a further 5 minutes to insure all the rice is warmed through, stir very well, serve onto plates and top with the cucumber slices, chopped coriander and if you are using a chilli, sprinkle some of that on too!
Serves 4

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Lemon and Lime Chicken

Ingredients
4 Chicken Breasts (chopped into chunks)
1 Red Pepper (cored, de seeded and sliced)
1 Green Pepper (cored, de seeded and sliced)
1 Onion (sliced)
1 Lime (jested and juiced)
1 Teaspoon Chilli Powder
250g Long Grain Rice
1/2 Lemon
A Splash of Oil

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Large Frying Pan/Wok
1 Large Pan (2/3rds full with boiling salted water or chicken/vegetable stock)
1 Spatula
1 Zester

The Good Bit
  1. In the large frying pan heat gently the onion, chicken, peppers, chilli powder, lime zest and juice, stirring occasionally until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender, 10-15 minutes. Season to taste.
  2. Meanwhile in the large pan boil either the water or stock and squeeze in the juice of half a lemon and then drop in the used lemon half, stir in the turmeric and then add in the rice and cook to packet instructions, usually 10 minutes, this should be ready about the same time as the chicken.
  3. Serve the rice in a ring with the chicken inside.
Serves 4

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Walnut Stuffed Pepper

Ingredients
4 Peppers (cut in half lengthways, cored and de seeded)
1 Onion (chopped finely)
1 Clove Garlic (crushed)
50g Rice (brown makes a very healthy option)
1 Bay Leaf
450ml Tomato Juice
1 Teaspoon Dried Basil
50g Cheddar Cheese
125g Chopped Walnuts
Oil
Salt and Pepper
Parmesan (shaved to serve, optional)

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Garlic Press
1 Pan
1 Oven Proof Dish (greased)

The Good Bit
  1. Fry the onion and garlic of in a little oil in the pan until it begins to turn golden, add the rice, the bay leaf and half the tomato juice, cover and simmer for 40 minutes, or until the rice is tender (this will not take as long if you use white rice)
  2. Take out the bay leaf and add the basil, cheese and walnuts, season to taste and leave to simmer a little longer whilst you get the peppers ready, if you've used white rice you may wish to turn the heat up here a little to reduce the mixture until it is fairly thick.
  3. Pre heat the oven too 180c 350f gas 4, fill the peppers with the mixture and place in the greased oven proof dish, pour the rest of the tomato juice around the peppers and cook for a further 35 minutes, serve immediately and if you like, garnish with parmesan shavings.
Serves 4

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Mushroom Risotto

Ingredients
500g Mixed Mushrooms
30g Dried Cep or Porcini Mushrooms
300ml Boiling Water
1 Onion (finely chopped)
4 Cloves Garlic (finely chopped)
1.2l Vegetable Stock (you should be able to make your own now!)
250g Rice (long grain or risotto)
Parmesan (grated with a cheese grate or sliced with a knife)
A Good Knob of Butter
A Splash of Oil
Handful of Parsley (chopped)
A Little Extra Bonus Topping
4 Cloves Garlic
500g Spinach or 200g Lettuce Leaves (mixed leaves gives even more flavour) (shredded)
Another Good Splash of Oil

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Medium Pan/Bowl
1 Large Frying Pan/Wok
1 Medium Frying Pan

The Good Bit
  1. In your bowl pour the boiling water and place in the dried mushrooms, in the frying pan add a splash of oil and cook the onion and garlic until the onion is soft then add the rice and stir in for about a minute.
  2. Pour in all the stock next and keep over a fairly high heat, drain the dried mushrooms and add them to the frying pan.
  3. In the other frying pan, add another splash of oil and a knob of butter (as much as you would put on a slice of toast), melt the butter then add the mushrooms and cook for 4 minutes.
  4. Add the mushrooms to the risotto once all the liquid has almost been absorbed and chuck in the parsley, add 2 knobs of butter and stir in well (at this stage you can for added flavour grate in a little of the parmesan)
  5. Serve topped with a couple of slices of grated parmesan, if you want the bonus bit, in the smaller frying pan add another splash of oil, cook the garlic for 1 minute, chuck in the greens and cook until wilted, stirring to cover with the garlicky oil. Serve on top of the risotto then top with the grated slices of parmesan.
Serves 4

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Beef Madras

Ingredients
450g Beef (cubed)
250g Rice (any rice is fine just don't use pudding rice)
1 Large Onion (finely sliced)
4 Cloves
4 Green Cardamoms
2 Whole Star Anise
4 Green Chillies (chopped)
2 Red Chillies (chopped)
3 Tablespoons Madras Masala Paste
1 Teaspoon Dried Turmeric
4 Tablespoons White wine Vinegar
Sugar to Taste
A Splash of Oil
Coriander and Lemon Wedges to serve (optional)

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Large Frying Pan/Wok
1 Spatula
1 Large Pan (2/3rds full of boiling salted water)
1 Colander

The Good Bit
  1. Start by putting the rice on, cook to packet instructions, usually 10-15 mins whilst that is cooking heat a splash of oil in the frying pan and cook the onion until it turns golden brown, then add all the spices and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
  2. Add the meat, the white wine vinegar and a pinch of sugar (keep tasting the sauce until you are happy that the sugar has taken the tang from the vinegar) cook over a medium heat until the beef is cooked through and soft (your rice should be about ready too at this time)
  3. Once the rice is done (taste test) wash your rice (place it in a colander and then rinse with boiling water) whilst you are doing this turn the heat up on the frying pan to reduce any remaining sauce. Then serve in a ring of rice. Top with shredded coriander leaves and lemon wedges if you want to be fancy!
Serves 4

Monday, July 21, 2008

White Chicken Curry

Ingredients
2 Onions (thinly sliced)
8 Long Green Chillies (thinly sliced)
1 Inch Fresh Ginger (grated)
1 400g Can Coconut Milk
4 Chicken Breasts (cut into chunks)
1 Lime (juiced)
A Splash of Oil
A Pinch of Salt
What About Nan Bread or Rice to Serve? (250g of rice in a large pan, 2/3rds full of boiling salted water for 10-15 minutes and follow the packet instructions for warming up nan bread)

Equipment
1 Large Frying Pan/Wok
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Spatula
1 Juicer

The Good Bit
  1. Heat the oil in the pan then add the onions and cook until they begin to go soft (3 minutes) do not let them colour!!!
  2. Add in the chillies, ginger, a pinch of salt and the coconut milk and stir well before adding the chicken and bringing to the boil.
  3. Gently simmer the dish for 30minutes stirring occasionally (after this time cut a piece of chicken in half with your spatula and look to make sure there are no pink bits left, it should be perfectly white) don't be afraid to add a little water to the sauce if it begins to burn to the sides of the pan.
  4. Once cooked, remove from the heat, stir in the lime juice and serve.
Serves 4

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Lamb Biryani

Ingredients
250g Lamb (cubed straight from the supermarket)
Oil
Butter
1 Onion (finely chopped)
250g Long Grain Rice
600ml Veg or Chicken Stock
350g Cauliflower
100g Frozen Peas
1 Teaspoon Each Turmeric and Cumin
1/2 teaspoon Each Coriander and Chilli
Salt and Pepper to Taste.
Toasted Almond flakes (optional) to serve

Equipment
1 Sharp Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Large Frying Pan/Wok
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Spatula
1 Plastic Spoon

The Good Bit
  1. Mix together a splash of oil in your bowl with the turmeric, cumin, coriander and chilli, then whack in your lamb and give it a good stir.
  2. Heat a splash of oil in the frying pan along with a good knob of butter (slightly more than you would butter a slice of toast with) and cook the onion until it begins to soften (4-5mins), then chuck in the lamb and its juices and cook for 3 minutes.
  3. Pour in the stock and add the rice then bring to the boil and cook for 10 minutes before adding the cauliflower, then stir in the frozen peas and cook until all the stock has gone (about 4 minutes) Season and serve! (you could top with a sprinkle of toasted almond flakes if you wanted to be fancy)
Serves 4

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Thai Red or Green Curry


Ingredients
4 Chicken Breasts (chopped into chunks)
1 Jar/Sachet Thai Red/Green Curry Paste (red is hotter, i'll be showing how to make your own at a latter date)
1 400g Can Coconut Milk
1 130g Can of Sweetcorn (drained)
250g Rice (anything but pudding)
A Splash of Olive Oil

Equipment
1 Sharp Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Large Frying Pan/Wok
1 Large Pan
a Spatula
1 Wooden Spoon
1 Colander

The Good Bit
  1. Heat the oil in your frying pan and fill the large pan 2/3rds full with water, add salt and bring that to the boil.
  2. Fry the chicken until it begins to brown on all sides, add the given amount of Thai green or red curry paste (usually 2-3 tablespoons, check the packet) and stir very well, then add the coconut milk and sweetcorn and brink to a low simmer, stirring occasionally.
  3. Add the rice to the water and cook according to packet instructions (10-15 minutes), when you think the rice is done TRY it, if it's still a little hard cook a little longer. Pour the rice into a colander and rinse with a kettle full of boiling water.
  4. Once the rice is done, serve in a ring on 4 plates and spoon in the red or green curry.
Serves 4

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Mushroom Risotto

Ingredients
500g Mixed Mushrooms (button, shiitake, oyster, chestnut, any you want)
1 Large Onion
1l Vegetable stock (2 stock cubes usually will make this amount)
250g Risotto Rice (again, long grain will do)
200g Fresh Salad Leaves (or 500g fresh spinach)
Olive Oil
A Knob of Butter
Garlic (if you are safe to use it)
Parmesan for decoration
Salt and Pepper for serving

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Large Frying Pan/Wok
1 Small Frying Pan

The Good Bit
  1. Chop the onion finely (and a couple of cloves of garlic if using) and fry in the pan until golden and soft, add a knob of butter and the rice and fry over a high heat for 1 minute.
  2. Add the vegetable stock and mushrooms (sliced, halved or quartered its up to you) and cook over a medium heat until the rice has soaked up all the stock, then just before serving stir in a good knob of butter.
  3. Meanwhile in the small frying pan, over a low heat with a good splash of olive oil, wilt the salad leaves and get them coated in the oil, this takes only a short while (seconds in most cases) so do not do this stage until you are nearly ready to serve (again add a couple of cloves of chopped garlic if you are allowed)
  4. Serve up onto plates with the wilted greens on top of the risotto and shave a few bits of parmesan over the top for that extra bit of class.
Serves 4

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Risotto

Ingredients
250g Risotto Rice (long grain will do)
600ml Water
2 Chicken Stock Cubes
2 Vegetable Stock Cubes
1 Large Onion
1 Large Pepper
1 130g Can of Sweetcorn
1 400g Can of Kidney Beans (or a handful of button mushrooms quartered)
1 200g Can of Mixed Beans
200g Frozen Peas
Olive Oil
A Knob of Butter

Equipment
1 Large Frying Pan
1 Sharp Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Spatula

The Good Bit
  1. Heat a splash of oil in your frying pan, and add to it a coarsely chopped onion and pepper, cook until the onion has softened and begun to turn brown. Add to this the knob of butter then add all your rice and stir fry for about a minute.
  2. Add then all your water and all 4 stock cubes and bring to the boil, add the contents of the 3 cans at this stage making sure they have been well drained or the quartered button mushrooms if you are using them and the frozen peas, bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes stirring occasionally.
  3. Play at being a chef by adding whatever herbs you like, don't over do it, only add a teaspoon of one type at most (dry herbs) and don't be tempted to use more than maybe 3 herbs, i like basil here, if you are going to use fresh herbs, chop them well and add a minute before you serve add in a good knob of butter, stir well and then serve. How's this for a recommendation! Our dog who will eat a piece of dropped meat before it has chance to land on the floor and yet will pick out and leave the vegetables from a plate of Sunday dinner (and for some reason arrange the carrots around the edge of the plate) LOVES this meal
Serves 4

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

King Prawns In French Mustard Sauce

Ingredients
A Good Knob Of Butter
24 Peeled Raw King Prawns
2 Tablespoons Brandy
225ml Carton Double Cream
2-3 Teaspoons Mustard (Dijon is every ones favourite)
250g Long Grain Rice (or whatever rice you like, again NOT pudding rice)
Parsley
Salt and Pepper

Equipment
1 Large Frying Pan
1 Large Pan
Colander
2 Large serving bowls and spoons

The Good Bit (Really Good This Time)
  1. Heat 2/3rds pan of salted water and begin to cook the rice, also heat the butter in the frying pan.
  2. Cook the prawns for a couple of minutes and add the brandy, heat for a few seconds then ignite!!! WATCH THE KITCHEN (i generally do this when nobody is around so they don't know about it and have so far not managed to burn the house down, it does look like you know what you are doing if you are trying to impress a date though with this very simple but tasty dish)
  3. When the flames have gone add the cream, mustard and a sprinkle of salt and pepper (only add as much mustard as you like, it's hard to tell you how much is right as different mustards are milder than others) and simmer GENTLY for 5 minutes, don't allow the prawns to go hard!
  4. After 10-15 minutes depending on packet instructions your rice should be done, this needs to go into the colander and be washed with boiling water, serve all the rice in a large bowl with a serving spoon and pour the prawns and juice into another bowl and garnish with a little chopped parsley and maybe a lemon wedge or two.
Serves 4 (half the ingredients for a cozy meal for 2 ;-)

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Paella


Ingredients
250g Long Grain Rice
1 Onion
1 Red Pepper
200g Frozen Prawns
2 Vegetable Stock Cubes
150g Frozen Peas ( I used frozen mixed veg, carrot, peas, sweetcorn, haricot vert)
A Dash of Olive Oil
900ml Water
1/2 Teaspoon Chilli or Paprika, 1/2 Teaspoon Turmeric

Equipment
1 Large Frying Pan/Wok
1 Wooden/Plastic Spatula
1 Plastic Serving spoon
Measuring Jug

The Good Bit
  1. Start by heating your oil in the pan/wok whilst you chop the onion and pepper into fairly small chunks.
  2. Fry the onion off in the oil until it begins to go soft and clear, then add the pepper and rice and stir fry quickly for about 1 minute until the rice looks well coated in the oil.
  3. Add the water, both stock cubes, the chilli or paprika powder and the the turmeric.
  4. Stir in really well and add the frozen peas (mixed veg) and the prawns and leave to cook until the rice is soft (taste it to see) and almost all of the liquid is gone.
  5. Serve and enjoy, this can also be eaten cold so prepare and cook whenever you want.
Serves 4

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Vegetable Chili

Ingredients
1 Vegetable stock Cube
1 Sachet Chilli Sauce Mix
1 400g Can Mixed Beans
1 400g Can Chopped Tomatoes
1 400g Can Kidney Beans
1 130g Can Sweetcorn
150ml Strong Black Coffee
1 Large Onion
1 Pepper (any colour you want)
250g Rice (just not pudding rice)
A Splash of Olive Oil

Equipment
A Wok or Large Frying Pan
1 Large Pan
1 Wooden or Plastic Spatula
1 Wooden or Plastic Serving Spoon
1 SHARP Knife
A Chopping Board (Acrylic or Wood, Glass blunts your blades very quickly!!)

The Good Bit
  1. Start by warming your dash of oil in the wok/frying pan, don't worry about how much you put in just give it a good drizzle just take into account your not deep frying chips!
  2. Whilst your oil is warming, its prep time. Peel and cut your onion and pepper into small chunks. Open your cans and drain the kidney beans and sweetcorn. 2/3rds fill your large pan with water and add a sprinkle of salt and bring to the boil.
  3. Now your oil is warm (if it's smoking turn it down a little) put your onions and pepper in until they feel soft and the onions look to have gone clearer, about 5 minutes
  4. Add your cans of mixed beans and kidney beans, you should now add the stock cube and stir in well.
  5. Add your chilli sauce mix and coffee and stir in well then add the tomatoes and sweetcorn, stir and leave to simmer.
  6. The water in your other pan should now be boiling so add the rice and stir with the spoon, cook the rice to packet instructions, usually 10-15 minutes.
  7. Have a kettle of boiled water ready for when your rice is done, once the rice is done (you can taste a small amount to see if it is soft (done) or a little crunchy (needs a Little longer) put it in a colander and wash with the boiled water.
  8. Serve the rice in a ring and heap the chilli in the centre and how about a dollop of soured cream at the side of the plate sprinkled with chilli powder or cayenne pepper for when you are entertaining
Serves 4.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Mexican Chicken


Ingredients
250g Chicken Breasts (pieces and fillets will do but always seem poorer quality)
1 Can Tomatoes
1 Can Kidney Beans
1 Large Onion
1 Pepper
1 Bag Tortilla Chips
1 Small Carton of Soured Cream
Any Vegetables you want to bulk out if you need.
250g Rice (any rice but pudding rice)
Chilli powder
Oregano (not necessary but adds more flavour)
Olive Oil (any will do, sunflower, vegetable etc.)
Salt

Equipment
1 Large Frying pan/Wok
1 Large pan
1 Wooden/Plastic Spatula
1 Wooden/Plastic serving spoon
1 Sharp Knife
1 Chopping board
1 Colander

The good bit
  1. Start by heating a dash of oil in the wok/large frying pan and heating the large pan which should be 2/3rds full of water with a generous sprinkle of salt in.
  2. Cut the onion into small chunks, (a size you are happy to eat, not onion ring size though!) try to cut the pepper into similar size chunks and then the chicken into bite size pieces.
  3. Put all this in your heated oil and cook through until the chicken begins to brown stirring fairly often.
  4. Once the chicken is browning open the cans of kidney beans and tomatoes and drain your kidney beans, add these to the pad along with a teaspoon of chilli powder (2 if you are daring!) and a sprinkle of oregano if you have it.
  5. Bring to a light simmer and now add your rice to the salted water, cook to packet instructions, usually 10-15 minutes but al lot longer for brown.
  6. Bring a kettle of water to the boil to wash the rice, when the rice is done, tip into a colander and wash.
  7. Serve the rice and a portion of the chicken mixture, add a hand full of tortilla chips and a dollop of soured cream at the side.
Serves 4

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Chili Con Carne


Ingredients
200g Mince Beef
2 Beef Stock Cubes
1 Sachet Chilli Sauce Mix
1 400g Can Chopped Tomatoes
1 400g Can Kidney Beans
1 130g Can Sweetcorn
1 Large Onion
250g Rice (Long Grain,Basmati whatever you have, just not pudding rice)
A Splash of Oil (Olive or Extra Virgin Olive Preferred but Vegetable/Sunflower are fine)

Equipment
A Wok or Large Frying Pan
1 Large Pan
1 Wooden or Plastic Spatula
1 Wooden or Plastic Serving Spoon
1 SHARP Knife
A Chopping Board (Acrylic or Wood, Glass blunts your blades very quickly!!)

The Good Bit
  1. Start by warming your dash of oil in the wok/frying pan, don't worry about how much you put in just give it a good drizzle just take into account your not deep frying chips!
  2. Whilst your oil is warming, its prep time. Peel and cut your onion into small chunks. Open your cans and drain the kidney beans and sweetcorn. 2/3rds fill your large pan with water and add a sprinkle of salt and bring to the boil.
  3. Now your oil is warm (if it's smoking turn it down a little) put your onions in until they feel soft and look to have gone clearer, about 5 minutes
  4. Add your mince and keep stirring until all the pink has gone, you should now add the 2 stock cubes and stir in well, this will give your mince a lovely brown colour.
  5. Add your chilli sauce mix and stir in well then add the tomatoes, kidney beans and sweetcorn, stir and leave to simmer.
  6. The water in your other pan should be boiling by now so carefully add the rice and stir with the spoon (if the water is boiling you should be able to leave this pan alone without fear of the rice sticking) Cook the rice to packet instructions, usually 10-15 minutes.
  7. Have a kettle of boiled water ready for when your rice is done, once the rice is done (you can taste a small amount to see if it is soft (done) or a little crunchy (needs a Little longer) put it in a colander and wash with the boiled water.
  8. Serve the rice in a ring and heap the chilli in the centre, you can garnish with coriander if you want to be fancy, and how about a dollop of soured cream at the side of the plate sprinkled with chilli powder or cayenne pepper.
Serves 4. (I added a chopped green pepper to the onions 2 bulk out a little (I was hungry!)