Hassan's Dry Chicken

Hi everyone! I survived Draft Day yesterday - yes my Fantasy Football Draft Part 1 was successful. I also have a Part 2 at 8:30PM tonight! That is why this recipe was probably the best thing for a quick meal to make, or even just an appetizer to share with some individuals. I treated this as more of an appetizer for this evening as we had a lot of leftovers that we needed to eat from last nights draft. However paired with some side dishes I think this would've been a great full-sized meal.

So enough talking, and more posting. (I've got another draft to do people!)

Hassan's Dry Chicken

Main

• 1 Chicken Breast (Halved, and cut into strips)
• 1 Egg
• Milk

Chicken Coating

• Crispy Panko Crumbs (Enough to coat chicken - 1 to 2 Cups)
• Garam Masala Seasoning (3 Tablespoons)
• Red Chili Powder (1 Tablespoon)

Dipping Sauce

• Mild Curry Paste (2 1/2 Tablespoons)
• Honey (1 Tablespoon)
• Butter (2 Tablespoons)
• Water (3 Tablespoons)

Instructions

• Pre-heat oven to 350 Degrees Fahrenheit.
• In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the egg, and add milk equal to the egg amount. Place the chicken into this mix.
• In another bowl take the Chicken Coating mix and mix together. Make sure the spices are blended well with the Panko crumbs. 
• Place the chicken on a metal baking sheet, and place in the oven for 15 minutes. (Or longer if needed).
• In the meantime take the Dipping Sauce mix and bring to a simmer. (Do not boil!) 
• Plate and enjoy!

I know this is more of an American twist on what the book was saying… Yet it's practically football season and I really couldn't resist. I personally loved this version - it had a spicy-sweet flavor that wasn't overwhelming. I also find that sometimes something simple like this would be great to take more twists on. I can picture down the road a Garam Masala and Red Curry sauce drizzled all over some chicken wings - and a yoghurt saffron dipping sauce… (Once I can afford the damn saffron of course…)

It's officially 6:30PM here, and I've got Fantasy Football Draft Part 2 in a couple of hours! (Yeah, I'm not excited or anything…) Tomorrow I'll be posting about what Tuesday's recipe is going to be from The Hundred-Foot Journey - and it's not Indian food folks!

Pre-Cook Post for Tomorrow!

I want to first start off by saying this post may seem sporadic, with random off topic sentences, and this is because tonight is Fantasy Football Draft Night Part 1. Yes Part 1. In this family we are signed up for two fantasy football leagues - the off-season was too long this year… So when draft day is here I'm pretty much thinking in terms of QB's, RB's and WR's right now.

Yet I really would like to introduce the next recipe I'll be cooking for tomorrow night before Fantasy Football Draft Part 2!

I chose to cook something that Hassan's family makes at their restaurant - that ironically also is named after Hassan himself. It's called Hassan's Dry Chicken. There's a few reasons why I chose this recipe: it's importance, football draft night, and I had chicken (which I really need to cook).

There is a section in the book that I've taken a quote from, it may be simple but it really hit's close to the development of young Hassan as a future chef.

This was to me an important part - after all Hassan's still young in this section of the book. To make a suggestion to a dish, and then to have that dish become popular says something about Hassan's abilities.
I'm not particularly sure how I'm going to make this one yet, but I think this one may be a tad different then the books description. (Draft's in forty-five minutes!)

I hope you all will catch back up with me tomorrow evening as I post about this dish! It may be later than last night's post, tomorrow's draft is at 8:30PM. I'll make sure no matter what that I post tomorrow!!

Machli Ka Salan (Spicy Fish Curry)

Hey everyone! I just made the Machli Ka Salan from The Hundred-Foot Journey (or as close to it as possible). I must confess I did have Ricky cook the fish this time so he could show me what to do. (I even tasted it!)

This recipe is my rendition of the Machli Ka Salan mentioned in this book, while I know it's not 100% what the book described I know it's as close to it as possible. (I also didn't want to cook fish heads…)

Machli Ka Salan (Spicy Fish Curry)

Main Ingredients

• Fish (1/2 Pound, I used a Tuna Steak)
• 1 Cup Couscous

Pre-Marinade

• Vinegar (2 Tablespoons)
• Salt (1 Tablespoons)

Marinade

• Red Chili Powder (1/2 Tablespoon)
• Turmeric Powder (1/4 Teaspoon)
• Lemon (Juiced)
• Salt (1/2 Teaspoon)
• Ginger (1/4 Teaspoon, Minced)
• Garlic Clove (Minced)

Curry

• Red Chili Powder (1 Teaspoon)
• Turmeric Powder (1/4 Teaspoon)
• Coriander Powder (2 Tablespoons)
• Lemon Juice (1 - 2 Tablespoons)
• Ginger (1/2 Teaspoon, Minced)
• Garlic Cloves (2, Minced)
• Salt (1 Teaspoon)
• Water (1/4 Cup)

Instructions

• Marinate the fish in the Pre-Marinade mix for 10 minutes, and then rinse in cold water.
• Marinate the fish overnight in the Marinade mix overnight (or no less than 1 hour). 

Tuna Steak - Marinated Overnight

• Heat oil in a pan and sauté the garlic, and ginger for five minutes, adding in the rest of the Curry mix after. Bring to a light boil and reduce heat to a simmer. 
• Boil water in a sauce pan, and make the couscous, while the couscous cooks heat oil in a frying pan.
• Cook the fish un the marinade until cooked through. (This took about 8 - 10 minutes for our tuna steak).
• Plate and Enjoy!

Curry Sauce Made, and Plated Up

This dish was new, and not something I'm used to… Don't get me wrong I've definitely had curry before - I'm actually a huge fan of curry. This however is not your American-style curry from whatever place you get your take out food from. (Don't deny you've had take-out curry people!)

As I was tasting my curry sauce I honestly wasn't sure how I felt about it. It wasn't like anything else I've tasted - yet it was amazing! I thought "spicy fish curry" was going to be reminiscent of when you order "spicy curry" from a restaurant - but this was more of an aromatic and fragrant spicy. It pairs so well with fish. (Yes Ricky even watched me eat a bite of this tuna!) 

I know it may not be the same as Hassan's family's Machli Ka Salan but I know it's as close to what I wanted to attempt for my first fish dish. Next time I'll actually try the fish heads, who knows it might be fun!

I'm going to post tomorrow what my next recipe will be for Sunday - if it's rushed it's cause I'm drafting my fantasy league. (Yep gonna kick some ass!)