Friday, March 4, 2016

Gold Bunnies, The Rising Dough, Donald Trump,

We now have four Lindt Gold Bunnies awaiting the day. Why do we have 4? Well Matt bought a couple but both were plain chocolate which he eats and I don't. Rather than return one for exchange I suggested he buy me two milk chocolate bunnies. Well???  There are three different bunnies, the red ribbon is milk chocolate, the brown ribbon is dark chocolate and the white ribbon is, suprisingly, white chocolate. It's funny how tastes differ, to me plain chocolate doesn't taste of much at all. It is supposed to be good for you, but milk chocolate is my preference. I like white chocolate too although I understand that it isn't real chocolate anyway, I don't know, guess I should Google it one of these days. We are going to Cambridge next week near the Rising Dough bakery and I will get some Hot Cross Buns. They make good ones. Not as good as mine but I am too lazy these days to make my own. Besides which I can buy lots of other goodies there, Cornish Pasties for one. I have never tried making those I confess, but these are so good, I don't think I will bother. They also have good scones which I have made in the past, but these days, I'll go for theirs which taste so good.

This is well worth watching. I was told about this by one of the owners of the bowling alley when we went there on Thursday afternoon.



In England we/they eat a lot of Indian food which is delicious. This is a version of one of the favourites. I found it on Yummly but the recipe originates in Swati's Kitchen. I have all the ingredients other than rose water, but many of you may not. I have put links to a couple of things in case you are unfamiliar with them.


Hyderabadi Chicken Biryani

Six Servings

Ingredients

  • Chicken 800gms - 1 kg (dressed, in bone cut into 10 pcs)
  • Garlic 2 Tbsp Crushed
  • Ginger 2 Tbsp Grated
  • Salt 1.5 Tsp (to taste)
  • Lemon 2 (juiced)
  • Yogurt 1 cup
  • Turmeric 1 Tsp
  • Red Chile Powder 1 Tsp (more if you like spice)
  • Garam Masala 1.5 Tsp
  • Coriander 1 bunch
  • Mint 1/2 bunch
  • Green Chilies 4-5 cut length wise
  • Onions 5 sliced lengthwise
  • Ghee 5 Tbsp
  • Rice 2.5 cups (500 gms)
  • Almonds 15 (soaked and skin removed)
  • Bay leaf 2
  • Clove 5
  • Cardamom 4
  • Cumin seed 1 Tbsp
  • Cinnamon 1" stick
  • Saffron 1 pinch
  • Rose water or Kewra concentrate 1/4 Tsp mixed in 1/2 cup of water.

Method

Step 1

Marinate the chicken with ginger, garlic, salt, 1/2 of lemon juice, yogurt, turmeric, red chili powder, green chilies, 1 Tsp garam masala, half the coriander and half of mint leaves. Allow the chicken to sit on the counter top absorbing the goodness of all these spice and herbs for about 1-2 hours. Or leave it in the fridge over night. If keeping in the fridge, bring the chicken and marinade back to room temperature before proceeding with next step

Step 2

Deep fry the peeled almonds and keep aside. Also fry the Onions and keep aside.

Step 3

Heat water in a deep vessel and when it starts to boil, add salt, bay leaves, cloves, cardamom, cumin seeds, cinnamon and lemon juice. Add the washed rice and parboil the rice till the rice. The rice should cook about 40% and should still have a bite.

Step 4

In a pressure pan, heat 2 Tbsp ghee (the ghee used for frying almonds and onion works best). Reduce the heat and add the marinated chicken along with half the fried onions and mix well.

Step 5

Layer half the par boiled rice over chicken in the pan. Spread on it remaining (but 1 Tbsp) fried onions, 2 Tbsp ghee, balance coriander leaves, and mint leaves and then layer the remaining rice over it. Sprinkle 1/2 Tsp garam masala over the rice.

Step 6

Spread the saffron strands and rose/kewra water along with 2 Tbsp ghee over the rice. Also sprinkle fried almonds over the rice. Close the pressure pan and allow the biryani to cook for about 30 min on low heat (reduce heat after the 1st whistle)

Step 7

When cooked, mix the rice and meat carefully and garnish the biryani with remaining fried onions, coriander and mint leaves.

Serving Suggestion

Serve this delectable Hyderabadi Chicken Dum biryani with dahi pyaz kachumbar or raita

Have a great day
 

20 comments:

  1. A friend told me about that video the other day. Never thought about posting it. I am trying to keep my political opinions off my blog for now but this is well worth posting.

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    1. I don't really have any political opinions as such Denise, but in this case!!!!!

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  2. I'm with you, I like the milk chocolate; hubby likes white chocolate but it just to me is a bit chalky.

    I didn't watch all the video; will mark it for later when I have more time. Watching the debate last night, I was struck with the thought that the whole world is watching this upcoming election and what a (sad) show they are getting. We need a do over with candidates; none are appealing to me.

    betty

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    1. Trouble with that Betty, if you don't vote for someone it's helpful to the one you least want unless you don't care who gets in of course.

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  3. Thanks for the video. I see our country with either obvious candidate on both sides, slip, slip, slipping away.

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    1. I certainly envisage you having major problems Natasha.

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  4. I'm allergic to pure baker's cocoa but I can eat milk chocolate and semi sweet. White is a little bit too sweet for me. I don't eat it hardly at all. It's good melted on strawberries though.

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    1. Matt eats the pure baker's stuff all the time. I don't think it tastes of anything much. Never melted white choc on strawberries, JoJo, thanks for the idea.

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  5. Dark chocolate is supposed to be much better for you. I like it all but hardly ever eat it. Maybe once a year if that. You still have a way to go until Easter Sunday Jo!

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    1. Yes, a small piece a day is supposed to be very good for the heart Pinky. Just don't enjoy it. I couldn't go that long without chocolate. Only 3 weeks now.

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  6. Not a chocolate eater myself - sugar and I disagree violently - but I do buy something for my husband who has a very sweet tooth. He'll probably get a chocolate Easter bilby, though. They're modelled on an exceedingly cute native marsupial as part of a push to replace the introduced Easter bunny with a native animal, since Australia's history with rabbits is not a happy one.

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    1. Love the stuff, sorry you aren't able to eat it Helen. Yes, I heard of the chocolate bilbies from another Aussie friend. They are a cute animal aren't they? I know what you mean about the rabbits.

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  7. I love that you each got what you wanted, in the end. That's very cool. For me, I eat cacao nibs and a cacao bar that is to die for. Oh my gosh, I love it so much. Zero sugar, milk or anything but cacao but I really really love eating it and baking with it.

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    1. I don't think I have ever eaten plain cacao Ivy, not sure I would enjoy it. OK for baking though.

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    2. Yes, I have some for baking Ivy.

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  8. I love those bunnies.....yummy. As for Trump? ...I am actually worried. I have watched part of this video but it all. I will watched it all when I have more time because it is brilliant.

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    1. I do hope you get to watch all of the video Birgit, it is certainly worth watching.

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