Spring and Winter Day? Hot and Sour Soup!

The last few days have been gorgeous!  I'm talking highs in the upper 50's, sunshine, no coats, windows down, FLIP-FLOPS!  Today was the last day of this winter break.  This morning was beautiful, sunny, no need for a coat.  By lunch the wind had picked up, bringing in some grey clouds.  Raining, hailing, then snow on my way home from work, around 6.  At 8 o'clock the result was FIVE INCHES of snow, and still falling.
To match the weather I was in the mood for hot and sour soup for dinner.  This is by far one of my favorite Chinese foods.  I used a recipe from Chowhound as the basis for the soup.  I followed the directions exactly, just changed the ingredient list.
 This makes two servings for me.  I added the nutrition info to the bottom of this post.

Easy Chinese Hot and Sour Soup
4 cups of chicken broth
4 tablespoons soy sauce
1 full hand mung bean sprouts
1/2 cup canned bamboo shoots, drained and julienned
3/4 tablespoon Srirachi
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water
1 egg, beaten
4 oz firm tofu, cut into 1/4 inch dice
2 green onion stalks, diced (including green tops)
1/4 cup rice vinegar

-Bring chicken broth to a simmer in a 2-quart saucepan.
-Combine soy sauce, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, srirachi and red pepper flakes, then add to broth.
-Simmer for five minutes.
-Combine two tablespoons of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water in a cup. Stir until mixture is smooth. Add cornstarch mixture to soup and stir well.
-Simmer for 2 or 3 minutes until soup is thickened.
-Beat egg in a cup until yolk and white are combined. Pour beaten egg slowly, in a fine stream into soup. Stir soup several times.
-Wait 30 seconds.
-Add tofu and green onions to soup. (I marinated the tofu in a bit of fish sauce) Stir well. Remove from heat.
-Add vinegar
-Stir a few times and serve.
Makes about 4 cups.

Nutrition Facts User Entered Recipe
2 Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories		210.7
Total Fat		4.3 g
	Saturated Fat	1.0 g
	Polyunsaturated Fat	1.4 g
	Monounsaturated Fat	1.3 g
Cholesterol		102.5 mg
Sodium		4,275.2 mg
Potassium		690.0 mg
Total Carbohydrate		29.7 g
	Dietary Fiber	2.2 g
	Sugars	12.3 g
Protein		14.1 g

It's a Fiesta!

 I love Mexican food!
It is a simple truth to me that Mexican food is wonderful, and I have such a hard time comprehending when people say they don't like it.  I especially like authentic type Mexican, not Taco Bell.  The best place here in Logan is La Tormenta, best place ever is in Rancho Cordova, CA, El Puerto.
I was looking for a new Mexican recipe when I stumbled on this recipe from Rachel Ray.  I usually don't like her recipes because they use weird ingredients or crazy processes.  But this one simple in design. 
When making taquitos the main issue cooks have is keeping them closed while frying, and not having them soak up too much oil.  This recipe takes care of that by dipping the tortillas in warm oil, rolling, and baking.  The filling can be changed according to your tastes, it is the process that I fell in love with.  They come out crispy and perfect!

Every meal needs a dessert.  But what fits with Mexican food?  Ever had FRIED ICE CREAM?!?!
I love it, but who wants to attempt it and end up with ice cream soup in your frying pan?
Enter, FAUX Fried Ice Cream!
The crunchy cinnamon-y exterior and caramel sauce identify the fried ice cream dish.
Scoops of ice cream rolled in crushed cinnamon graham crackers satisfy the crunch and sweetness.

The caramel is heated Mexican caramel.  Ever had Cajeta (sometimes called Dulce de Leche)?  You can get it in a bottle or a can in the Hispanic section of the grocery store.  Cajeta is a goat milk caramel.  Personally I don't like caramel anything, but I was introduced to this product my freshman year of college.  I had a floor-mate from Argentina, we would eat this stuff right out of a tub.  Her mom made rice pudding with cajeta, I still drool just thinking of it! 

All together I love this meal!  Perfect combinations!

DELICIOSO!!!!

THE BEST MEAL I EVER COOKED (so far)

If I was someone else, and had made this for me, I would have fallen in love with me.  I am NOT kidding.  This was yummy, amazing, multi-faceted, in your face, subtle, sweet, spicy, warm, comforting, delicious food.  I made Indian spiced chicken with apple-mango chutney.  I was browsing my Betty Crocker IPod app (I love the recipes in this!), and found this recipe for Indian Spiced Chicken and Chutney.  I cut the recipe in half and threw together the marinade on Sunday night.  Of course, being Sunday and last minute, I made alterations to compensate for what I was missing.  First, I used plain Greek yogurt, next, no coriander (oh yeah, I forgot I was going to put it on my shopping list) I used turmeric, and I just omitted the cloves.  I was planning on making this Monday night, but I ended up changing plans and didn't make this til Tuesday.  I wonder if it was even more amazing because of the extra marinating time.  That yogurt sure makes the marinade.  I grilled this in my cast iron grill pan (which thanks to asking my Dad, instead of the internet, does not smoke and is now well seasoned).  The turmeric made the chicken a beautiful yellow (don't get it on your counters, it WILL stain).

You may note in the recipe it says to buy canned mango chutney.  I checked it out in the store, at least $5 for a smaller jar.  For about that much I can make my own and have the experience of making it!  Can I tell you how many recipes there are for mango chutney online?  I wasn't sure how to proceed?  So many recipes, so many spices I didn't have and was completely unfamiliar with!  I finally settled on a pretty basic one from Epicurious (on their app too).  I roughly halved this recipe.  I used two small apples, one large mango, half of everything else, some extra curry powder, dash of red pepper flakes and more cinnamon for the nutmeg.  Oh and regular raisins too.  The recipe directions are for canning the chutney.  I just simmered it covered for about 30 minutes, til it looked like a preserve.  It almost smells like Christmas while it is simmering away.  I thought it was a weird combo, wasn't even sure I would like it. 

Indian Spiced Chicken and Apple-Mango Chutney on Whole Wheat Noodles

I know I should have put it on rice, but I loved it on noodles.  The chicken was SO moist and flavorful.  The chutney was spicy and sweet at the same time.  The spicy didn't get hotter as you ate, it just... was.  Five minutes after eating it there was no spicy aftertaste.  I had the leftovers for lunch the next day, still awesome!
I have to say I was mightily impressed with myself.  I have some chutney in the fridge, it is sounding really good for lunch tomorrow. 
भारतीय भोजन स्वादिष्ट है

In a Hurry, Chicken Curry

Okay, lame name, I know!

I haven't cooked anything lately.  Leftovers, sandwiches, and basic easy meals have been the fare.  So tonight I wanted something different, but not a long cooking process.  I went to my YGS favorites recipe list and found a chicken curry recipe that I altered for myself.   I used one large chicken breast, a small onion, half the garlic, and fresh tomatoes.  I normally use the canned ones, like the recipe calls for, but I had a couple tomatoes getting old.  I just used one large tomato, diced.  This called for dredging and frying the chicken beforehand.  But I like to forgo frying, especially when the meat will be cooking in a savory liquid.  I followed the directions for sweating the garlic and onions, added the curry, and then the diced tomatoes (and a little water). I let the tomatoes cook for about 5 minutes, covered, then added the chicken in bite size pieces.  Cover on and simmer for 15 minutes, then uncovered for 5 more.  Pour into bowl and enjoy!!! 
If I could let everything simmer in the oven for an hour, I would add some potatoes and carrots to the mixture.  If you don't love a strong curry flavor the best way to dial it down is to add some Greek yogurt, to add a cooling creaminess.  I want to try making naan soon, but I just ate it with a Flatout Wrap.  Great thick flavorful wrap.  (I know Walmart sells fresh made naan, if I knew I was doing curry tonight I would have grabbed some on my way home.) 
स्वादिष्ट  or  Svādiṣṭa