Thai Stirfry with Basil-Cilantro Rice

I was in the mood for hot, spicy asian flavors last night, so
here is what I came up with. It must have been delicious, because Mark
has eaten it all before I got up this morning!

I marrinated some thin sliced steak in olive oil, lime juice
and zest, minced garlic, chinese 5 spice, soy sauce, basil, cilantro and
chili paste.

I sauted some minced carrot, red pepper and green onion in some olive oil.
Then I added some jasmine rice and toasted it up with a bit
of chinese 5 spice before adding vegetable broth.
I let that cook while I stir-fried my meat.

I stir-fried, on high heat in some olive oil, red pepper, serrano chilies,
green onion and carrot (all cut in match stick size) for a couple of
minutes, then added my marinated beef with all the sauce. Fried
that up quickly until the meat was just done.

I stirred into the rice some cilantro and basil just before serving,
then topped with my stir-fry. Mmm Mmm Mmm....
very yummy and very spicy. It brought on a hot flash!
I enjoyed mine with a traditional mead.

Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken Breast

Mix some Feta cheese with chopped basil, parsley,

oregano, sundried tomatoes and black olives.         

Stuff your breasts with a slice of sandwich pepperoni and

the feta mixture, then cook how you like.

I baked these, but they would be terrific on the grill.

Of course, you can add any thing you want to the stuffing.

Since I was having a mediterranean night, I stayed with

those flavors, but I was not thrilled with it. Perhaps goat

cheese would have been better, or a different deli meat...

Whatever your desire, make it, taste it and see if you like it!

That's what cooking should be about.



Margherita Salad

This goes without saying, but here's the "recipe" anyway.
I served this with my lemon orzo and a mediterranean
stuffed chicken breast. The whole meal was good, but
I need to work on the chicken before it is terrific.

Red leaf lettuce, torn into bite sized pieces.
Rough chopped basil.
Sliced grape tomaotes.
Quartered bocconcini (small mozarella balls).
Diced red onion.

I dressed it with a dash of white wine vinegar, a shake or
two of balsamic vinegar and a touch of olive oil.

Lemon Orzo

I made a mediterranean meal last nght and this was
just one delicious component.

First, I sauted some onion, garlic and lemon zest in
some good olive oil. Next, I added the orzo and sauted
it lightly. Then, I added lemon juice and enough
chicken stock to cover the orzo, brought it to a boil,
covered it, then set it aside to absorb all the liquid.

Just before serving, I added chopped parsley, oregano
and peppadew peppers. Grate a little parm on top
and you have a wonderful dish!

You could make this vegetarian with veggie stock
if you want-

Spinach and Tomato

Saute some chopped onion in some extra light olive oil. Add a can of chopped tomato, garam marsala salt and some nutmeg. Mix well, then wilt in your spinach. This is a lovely side dish and can be made with any spice flavor to compliment your meal.

Indian Veggie Rice

Saute some onion and garlic in oil until soft. Add your basmati rice and toast up a little. Add your chicken stock, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer. While that is simmering, saute some chopped carrot until almost soft. Add some chili paste and stir. Then add some garam marsala, some ground cloves and some salt. Mix thoroughly then add the finished rice. You are now frying the rice. Mix well with the spiced carrots, then add some baby peas and green onion. Stir and serve! Yum Yum!

Indian BBQ Chicken I was lazy and did not go to Wegmans where I knew I would find some Tamarind Puree, so I improvised, but it was still very good. I mixed tomatoe paste with minced garlic, grated ginger, white vinegar, molasses, grainy mustard, chili paste, S&P and garam masala, to this I added my substitute orange marmalade (instead of tamarind). I then pan seared my chicken breast in a grill pan, smeared it with my pasty mixture and baked it off in the oven. You could also grill your chicken over wood, gas or charcoal and coat to your hearts content. Be sure to make it as spicy as you want with the chili paste. I served this with a veggie rice and a spinach dish I am sure you will love also.