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Teriyaki Sauce

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Teriyaki Sauce

I use this yummy honey soy sauce as a coating sauce for korean style fried chicken, but it goes good with pork or pretty much anything. I use about 2/3 of this mix to toss some deep fried crispy fried chicken into as a sauce. (Refer to one of my fried chicken recipes.
The chillies should be removed after cooking and discarded. Or trick one of the kids with one and say they're sun dried tomato. 😉
Use the remainder in next few days as a stir fry sauce or something.
Servings 1 Cup (ish)

Ingredients

  • .75 cup Water
  • .25 cup Soy Sauce Dark
  • 4 tbsp Dark Brown Sugar packed
  • 2 tbsp Honey
  • .5 tsp Ground Ginger Powder
  • .5 tsp Garlic Powder
  • .25 Cup Hoisin Sauce option but gices a nice flavour
  • 3 whole Dried Chillies option or adjust to taste
  • 3 tbsp White vinegar

Cornflour Slurry

  • .25 Cup Cold Water
  • 2 tbsp Corn Flour

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients except corn slurry mix into a small saucepan
  • Heat gently till bubbling. Simmer for 5 minutes until slightly reduced
  • Stir in cornflour slurry. Use some or all of it depending on how thick you want
  • Simmer for another 5-10 minutes until desired thickness
  • Add 1 tbsp sesame seeds if desired for chicken sauce
  • Discard the chillis before using.
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Orange Chicken

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Orange Fried Chicken

A similar taste to Panda Express Orange Chicken – But much better
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 2 people

Equipment

  • 1 Deep Fryer You can use a pan with oil but a deep fryer makes it easier.

Ingredients

  • 400 gm Chicken Breast
  • 1.5 tbsp Garlic minced
  • 3 tbsp Orange Juice 1 Orange usually
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 0.5 tsp Black Pepper

Coating

  • 75 gm Rice Flour (or use cornflour)
  • 40 gm Cornflour
  • 40 gm Plain Flour
  • 120-130 ml Water

Sauce

  • .75 tsp Ginger powder
  • 1 tsp Chilli powder
  • 75 gm Brown Sugar
  • 1.5 tbsp Honey
  • 75 ml Orange Juice
  • 3 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 5 tbsp Vinegar White or apple cider

Starch Water

  • 2.5 tbsp Cornflour
  • 3 tbsp Water

Instructions

  • Cut chicken into small chunks
  • Add garlic, salt, black pepper and orange juice and mix
  • Leave to marinate for at least 30 minutes
  • Mix the coating ingredients then add chicken and mix well
  • Mix all the sauce ingredients
  • Heat the oil in deep fryer and fry the chicken in batches. Don't overcook as it will be fried again. Set aside on paper towels to drain
  • Once all the chicken is fried wait 5 minutes then re fry until cooked and golden brown.
  • Once all the chicken is done add the sauce ingredients to a small fry pan and heat until bubbling. Cook for about a minute on medium heat
  • Then add the starch water in several batches until the sauce starts to thicken. Turn off the heat and stir as it thickens. If it gets too thick add a little water.
  • Add all the chicken and stir until evenly coated.
  • Garnish with a few crushed peanuts or sesame seeds
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Double frying makes the chicken stay crispy. If you only fry once it may appear crispy but will go a bit soggy as the steam softens the chicken.
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Sweet & Spicy Korean Fried Chicken

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Sweet & Spicy Korean Fried Chicken

This is an easy to prepare fried chicken that everyone will love
Course Main Course
Cuisine Korean
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 3 people
Cost 12

Ingredients

  • 500-600 gm Chicken boneless breast or tenderloin work well. Wings can also be used.

Chicken marinade

  • .5 tsp Salt
  • .5 tsp Ginger powder
  • 1 tsp Garlic minced
  • 3 tbsp Chinese Cooking Wine
  • .5 tsp Black Pepper

Batter

  • 20 gm Flour
  • 20 gm Cornflour
  • 60 gm Rice Flour
  • 1 pinch Salt
  • 100 ml Water approx

Coating Sauce

  • 1 tbsp Chilli Powder adjust to taste – seems quite a lot but works.
  • 2 tbsp Sugar
  • 3.5 tbsp Corn Syrup substitute with honey
  • 1.5 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • .5 tbsp Oyster Sauce
  • .5 tbsp Tomato Ketchup
  • 2 tbsp Chilli Oil Optional
  • 1 tbsp Garlic Minced
  • 1.5 tbsp Gochujang Paste Korean pepper paste

Instructions

  • Chop the chicken into small bite sized pieces.
  • Combine with the marinade ingredients and set aside for 15-30 minutes
  • Mix the batter ingredients. Adjust water so it's not too thick or thin.
  • Drain the chicken and add to the batter mix.
  • Deep fry in batches until golden. We are going to double fry so don't go too far. Double frying is essential for that crispy crunchy texture we all love. Once each batch is done set aside on a plate with several paper towels. We will come back to these soon.
  • Once the first fry batches are done combine the coating sauce ingredients in a non-stick frypan and bring to a slow simmer to thicken slightly
  • While the sauce is simmering and thickening do the second fry of the chicken till golden brown and crunchy. Try a piece to be sure the chicken is cooked through.
  • Once cooked drain from frying oil then transfer to frypan with sauce and stir through to evenly coat the chicken.
  • Garnish with some sesame seeds and finely cut spring onion.
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Garlic Naan Bread

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Garlic Naan

Makes about 8-12 naans
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Indian
Prep Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings 10 pieces
Cost 5

Ingredients

  • 2 tsp Active Dried Yeast
  • 1 tsp Sugar
  • 60 ml Warm Water
  • 500 gm Flour
  • 1.5 tsp Salt
  • .75 Cup Plain Yoghurt
  • 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil
  • .75 Cup Warm Milk
  • 6-8 Cloves Garlic minced
  • .25 Cup Coriander Coarsely chopped (optional)
  • .5 Cup Butter Melted

Instructions

  • Combine the yeast and sugar with the warm water. set aside for 10 min to activate the yeast.
  • Mix the salt with the flour in a large bowl. Add the yeast mixture.
  • Add the yoghurt, vegetable oil and milk. Stir to form a dough.
  • Knead till smooth for about 4-5 minutes.
  • Place into oiled bowl and cover. Leave to rise for 1 hour.
  • Finely chop the garlic and chop the coriander.
  • Pat down the dough and divide into 8-12 pieces. Roll to ball and then roll the balls to a circle.
  • Sprinkle some coriander on the naans and press down lightly. (Coriander is optional as for some people it tastes like soap, which apparently is a genetic thing)
  • Heat the butter in a small saucepan till bubbling hot, add approx 1tbsp minced garlic. Stir in quickly cook for about 30 seconds then remove from heat.
  • Cook in a non stick frypan on medium-hight about 2-3 minutes till large bubbles form on surface.
  • Flip and cook another two minutes.
  • Remove from heat and brush with butter.

Notes

Once youve made your own, you'll never go back to the flavourless overpriced store brought ones.
Adjust the number of portions based on your preference. For hungry folk make 6-8, for those with smaller appetite make 10-12.
It's important your yeast mixture "foams" in the water after the 10 minutes is up. Dont use too hot water or you will kill the yeast. If it won't bubble / foam your yeast is dead and you need to replace it with fresh stuff. I'm in New Zealand and I use Bakels instant active dried yeast. It's a great product used in a lot of commercial bakeries and I use this for all my yeast based baking.
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Crusty French Bread Rolls

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Crusty Bread Rolls

These bread rolls are great to serve on the weekend. Warm and fluffy on the inside, crusty on the outside. Quick and easy.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Rising time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings 12 Rolls

Ingredients

  • 375 ml Water warm about 40 degrees c
  • 12 gm Active Dried Yeast
  • 35 gm Sugar
  • 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp Salt Kosher. Use a bit less for table salt
  • 450 gm Flour Use high protein bread flour

Instructions

  • To a stand mixer add the warm water, yeast and sugar and let sit for 10 minutes until cloudy.
  • Add the oil, the salt and 2 cups of the flour with the dough hook and let it combine on medium speed adding the flour in ¼ cup increments until the dough starts to come together and eventually starts to pull away from the bowl, then turn up the speed and let it knead for 5 minutes
  • Add to an oiled bowl and turn in the bowl to coat with oil then cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size for 60 minutes
  • Divide the dough into 12 balls, place on a greased baking sheet or tin and let rise for an additional 30 minutes
  • Heat oven to 200c
  • Before you put in the oven spray with a little water froma spray bottle and sprinkle a small amount of extra salt on the tops if desired.
  • When you put the rolls into the oven put a cup of ice into a tray on the bottom to create steam. Spritz the rolls with water from a spray bottle half way through bake to help make crusty
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Soft Sandwich Rolls

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Soft Sandwich Rolls

Great soft texture roll. Fill with ham, salad and mayo for that perfect work lunch
Servings 8 Rolls

Ingredients

  • 500 gm Bread Flour
  • 20 gm Wheat Gluten
  • 310 gm Water Lukewarm
  • 7 gm Yeast
  • 15 gm Vegetable Oil
  • 8 gm Salt

Instructions

  • Add all of the ingredients to a bowl or stand mixer. If your using a mixer use the dough hook attachment and mix for 10 minutes. If you making the dough by hand knead it for 10 minutes also.
  • Place the processed dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover and allow proving for at least 1 hour, this time may vary depending on the temperature of your kitchen.
  • Grease 1 large or 2 small baking trays or 35 x 25 baking cake tin
  • After the first proof, divide the dough into 8 pieces, roll each piece into a ball and allow the balls to rest for 5 minutes.
  • After the 5 minutes shape each dough ball into discs and evenly space them on your trays.
  • Sprinkle a little flour over the rolls and cover with a lightweight dry cloth and allow proving for however long it took for your first proving.
  • When there is only 10 minutes left on the rise, preheat you oven to 180°C that’s 355°F or gas mark 4
  • After the rolls have risen sprinkle with a little more flour and get them straight into the preheated oven and set your timer for 16 minutes.
  • When baked place the rolls on a wire rack and allow to cool for 30 minutes.
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Ciabatta Rolls

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Ciabatta Rolls

Makes 8-10
Prep Time 1 day
Cook Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

Poolish

  • 330 gm Bread Flour
  • 330 gm Water lukewarm
  • 1 pinch Yeast

Final Dough

  • 600 gm Bread Flour
  • 20 gm Wheat Gluten
  • 405 gm Water quit warm. not hot
  • .75 tsp Yeast
  • 18 gm Salt
  • A;ll of the Poolish

Instructions

  • Mix the poolish ingredients the day before baking. Combine the flour, water, and yeast in a bowl and mix with dough whisk or wooden spoon until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and let ferment overnight for about 16 hours at room temperature.
  • Using a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment, mix all of the dough ingredients on low for about 8 minutes, scraping down the bowl after about 6 minutes.
  • Place the dough in an oiled container or large bowl, cover, and let proof in a warm spot for 30 minutes.
  • Stretch and fold the dough with wet hands, and let it rest for another 30 minutes. Perform three more "stretch-and-folds," every 30 minutes. Finish with a 30 minute rest.
  • Generously flour your work surface and then invert your container and let the dough fall out. With wet hands, gently pull the dough into a rectangle. Cut the dough into four long pieces (or two, for larger loaves, or eight squares, for long rolls).
  • Lift and place the dough pieces onto a well floured couche, floured tea towels, or oiled parchment paper. Pleat your couche or paper to help maintain the shape of the loaves.
  • Cover the loaves with floured tea towels or another linen couche, and let proof for 30 to 60 minutes. Preheat the oven, equipped with a baking stone, to 450 to 480 degrees F. Place a broiler pan on the lower rack of the oven (for ice).
  • Transfer each loaf to a parchment lined pizza peel, slide the loaves onto the heated stone, toss about a cup of ice onto the broiler pan, and immediately close the oven door.
  • Bake for about 30 minutes depending on size of loafs/buns. Cool on a wire rack.
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Crusty Bread Rolls

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Crusty Bread Rolls

A great crusty roll ideal for workday lunches.
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 500 gm Bread Flour High Grade
  • 8 gm Salt 8g = 1 tsp
  • 2 tbsp Wheat Gluten optional, but can improve the texture.
  • 340 gm Water Lukewater – no hotter than 40c
  • 4 gm Instant Yeast 4gm = 1 tsp
  • 6 gm Sugar 6gm = 1 stsp

Instructions

  • Always weigh the ingredients. Cup sizes and teaspoons can vary
  • Mix the sugar with the water. Once dissolved add the yeast and allow to activate for 10-15 minutes. If it doesn't bubble and foam your yeast is no good. Get new stuff.
  • Once activated mix with the combined, flour, salt and wheat gluten. Mix in a stand mixer with dough hook for 10 minutes. If mixing by hand you must still mix for at least 10 minutes
  • Oil a large bowl. After 10 minutes mixing turn the dough out into the oiled bowl. Flip it over so both sides are oiled and shape into a ball. Cover and leave in a warm place to proof for at least 1 hour. It should double in size.
  • After first proof, turn it out and then reform into a ball. Return to oiled bowl and leave to proof for another 30 minutes.
  • Grease a large baking tray wityh lard, butter or shortening.
  • After the second proof, turn out the dough onto a floured worktop, and knock the dough back, and form it into a ball.
  • Divide the dough ball into 6 or 8 equal pieces, and form them into small balls, place them, evenly spaced, onto a floured bench, dust lightly with flour, cover them with a dry light weight cloth and let them rest for 5 minutes.
  • After the 5 min rest period, gently roll each dough ball into an oval shape, and place them onto the prepared baking tray, make sure there is plenty of room in between them, dust lightly with flour and cover with a light-weight dry cloth, allow to proof or rise, for 20 minutes.
  • When there’s only 10 minutes left on the proof, preheat your oven to 200°C and place a heavy tray on bottom shelf.
  • When the proofing time is up and the oven is up to temperature, use a baker’s blade or Lame, and carefully score the top each roll,
  • Add a cup of ice to the tray at the bottom to create steam. Place the tray of rolls in the middle of the oven, and set your timer for 16 minutes, if you want a darker crust, add a further 2 minutes, at a time, until you reach the desired colour. Spray the oven walls and rolls with water to create more steam before closing the door.
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool on a wire rack.
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Sausage Rolls

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Yummy pork sausage rolls with carrot and onion. Run a seam of BBQ sauce for self saucing sausage rolls.

 

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Sausage Rolls

Pork based so not as heavy as beef. Make self saucing by running a generous ribbon of bbq sauce before rolling.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 Whole Carrot cut into quite small cubes
  • 1/2 Whole Onion cut into small cubes
  • 4 Rashers Streaky Bacon cut into 1cm strips
  • 500 gm Pork Mince
  • 1 Whole Egg
  • 50 gm Panko Breadcrumbs
  • 1 tbsp Rosemary finely diced
  • 2 tsp Thyme finely diced
  • 1 tbsp Parsley finely diced
  • 1/4 cup Apple rough grated
  • 4 Sheets Puff Pastry

For the egg wash

  • 1 Whole Egg
  • 1 tbsp Milk

To Garnish

  • 1 tbsp Sesame Seeds Black look cool

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 200c
  • In a fry pan over medium add the olive oil, carrot, onion and cook until it turns soft. Add the bacon and cook for a further 2-3 minutes or until the bacon starts to turn crispy (don’t make it too crispy though as it will continue to cook in the oven). Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
  • In a bowl combine the mince, egg, breadcrumbs, herbs and cooled bacon mixture and mix until combined.
  • Cut one third off the sheet (discard). On the 2/3 part of the sheet pastry sheet, lay out one quarter of the mince mixture and form into a sausage shape along one edge of the pastry.
    Brush the other edge of the pastry with the egg wash then roll up the pastry into the sausage rolls. Cut in half and add to a baking tray lined with baking paper seamed side down.
    Repeat with the other three sheets of puff pastry.
    Run a generous seam of bbq sauce the full length for self saucing sausage rolls.
  • Brush with the egg and top with sesame seeds. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until deeply golden.
    Serve with tomato sauce and enjoy!

Video

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Anzac Biscuits

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The classic New Zealand biscuit

Crispy or chewy, bake slightly longer for crispy or slightly shorter for chewy.

 

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Anzac Biscuits

Servings 36 biscuits
Cost 5

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups Flour
  • 2 Cups Rolled Oats
  • 2 Cups Sugar
  • 1 Cup Desiccated Coconut
  • 200 gm Butter
  • 2 tbsp Golden Syrup
  • 3/4 tsp Baking Soda
  • 1/4 Cup Boiling Water

Instructions

  • Preheat Oven to 180c. Cover 2 baking trays with baking paper
  • Melt the butter and golden syrup together. Dissolve the baking soda in the boiling water. When butter is melted stir through the baking soda and water mixture. It will foam up.
  • Add the butter mixture to the dry ingredients and stir to combine.
  • Scoop up golf ball size amounts and place on a baking tray. Once all mixture is used, flatten slightly with a fork so they are all the same thickness.
  • Bake until golden brown for about 15 minutes. Bake slightly longer for crispy biscuits.
  • Allow to cool on a rack then place in an airtight container.
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Blueberry & Lemon Muffins

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These are really nice muffins. The recipe is super easy. One container for dry ingredients. One for wet

Don’t over mix or they will be dense n tough.

 

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Blueberry and Lemon Muffins

Makes 12 large muffins
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 12 Muffins
Cost 4

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups Flour
  • 1 Cup Sugar
  • 4 tsp Baking Powder
  • 1 each Egg
  • 1.25 Cups Milk
  • 1/4 Cup Oil
  • 1 tsp Lemon Zest
  • 2 tsp Lemon Juice
  • 1 Cup Blueberries This recipe is for frozen, if using fresh increase milk to 1.5 cups

Instructions

  • Mix the dry ingredients, then add the well mixed milk, egg and oil
  • Add the zest, lemon juice and stir through
  • Add the blueberries and stir through
  • Put in 12 large muffin cups
  • Bake 15-20 minutes @ 180c until a knife put into the muffin comes out clean
  • Cook and enjoy

Notes

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Martys Granola

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Martys Granola

An easy to make baked granola with nuts and fruits. A citrus tang helps cut through the sweetness of the honey. Great for a quick breakfast, on top of ice cream or just for snacking.
Keyword breakfast, granola
Prep Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Cost 5

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups Rolled Oats I use wholemeal
  • 2/3 Cup Puffed Rice Rice Bubbles, Rice Pops etc
  • 4 tbsp Sunflower Seeds Shelled kernels
  • 4 tbsp Buckwheat
  • 2 tbsp Slivered Almonds
  • 1/2 Cup Shaved Coconut
  • 1/2 Cup Sliced Almonds
  • 3 tbsp Oil Coconut or any light flavourless oil
  • 3 tbsp Honey
  • 1 Pinch Salt Large pinch helps bring out flavour
  • 1 zested Lemon
  • 1/2 Cup Currants
  • 1/2 Cup Cashews Crack the bigger bits with a knife
  • 2/3 Cup Dried Cranberries Cut them up roughly with a knife
  • 1/2 Cup Freeze Dried Raspberries Break them up a bit

Instructions

  • Mix the oats, rice pops, sunflower seeds, buckwheat with the oil and honey. Add the salt and mix.
  • Spread on a baking tray and bake in a preheated oven at 180 for about 10 minutes as they grains brown up slightly stir them up
  • Add the sliced almonds, coconut and lemon zest. Give a stir and bake for another 10 minutes till the grains are lightly toasted. Stirring occasionally to give an even toast.
  • Pack down about half the tray lightly with back of spoon. When set these can be broken up a bit to give nice crunchy clusters.
  • Once fully cold, break up some of the clusters. Add the currants, cashews and cranberries.
  • Store in an airtight container. Will keep for a couple of weeks.

Notes

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Life Hacks – 1: Toothpicks for cleaning.

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As I get older I’ve picked up a few wee life Hacks along the way which can make those harder jobs just a little bit easier. You probably already know some of them but I’m going to post a series of them for posterity. 

Toothpicks.

Those tricky wee cracks n crevices that seem to collect grime and gunk. Well just grab a wooden toothpick snap it in half and use the snapped part like a small brush to scrape the grime out. For smaller gaps use the sharp end. 

 

You’ll be amazed how easy it is to get the gunk out and how much cleaner everything will look. 

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Chicken Satay Skewers

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Chicken Satay Skewers

Delicious grilled skewers marinated with spices.
Prep Time 50 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4 people

Ingredients

  • 1 kg Chicken Thighs Boneless and Skinless
  • 25 each Bamboo Skewers Soak in water overnight to prevent burning

Satay Marinade

  • 3 tbsp Oil
  • 2 stalks Lemongrass white parts only
  • 2 cloves Garlic peeled
  • 6 small Shallots peeled
  • 2 tsp Turmeric Powder
  • 1 tsp Coriander powder
  • 1 tsp Chili powder
  • 0.5 tsp Salt
  • 2 tbsp Honey

Instructions

  • Cut the chicken into strips. Set aside
  • Blend all the marinade ingredients in a food processor, add a little water if required
  • Combine the cut chicken and marinade. Cover with cling film and refrigerate overnight or minimum 6 hours.
  • Thread 3-4 strips onto each bamboo skewer.
  • BBQ or grill the chicken skewers 2-3 minutes each side until the meat is fully cooked and the surface is nicely charred. Brush with some oil while grilling.
  • Serve hot with the peanut sauce (seperate recipe)

Notes

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Best Peanut Sauce

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Best Peanut Sauce

Authentic spicy peanut sauce. Goes great with the chicken satay recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 6 people

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Peanuts Dry roasted, unsalted
  • 1 tbsp Tamarind Paste
  • 0.25 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup Water
  • 0.5 tsp Salt or to taste
  • 2.5 tbsp Palm Sugar
  • 1 tsp Coriander Powder
  • 1 tbsp Soy Sauce, Sweet Use the thick sweet stylle

Spice Paste

  • 4 whole Chillis, dried desseded and soaked in warm water
  • 3 Cloves Garlic peeled
  • 4 small Shallots peeled
  • 1 Stalk Lemongrass Cut into three strips
  • 0.5 Inch Galangal buy frozen from chinese supermarket, just grate it frozen

Instructions

  • Crush the peanuts till fine in a food processor.
  • Chop the spice paste ingredients corasly and blend in a food processor till very fine. Add a few tbsp water to help blending.
  • In saucepan heat the oil on medium and add spice paste. Add two of the strips of lemon grass. Fry until aromatic and smell spicy.
  • Add ground peanuts, water, tamarind, salt, palm sugar, coriander powder and sweet soy sauce. Stir to combine well.
  • Reduce the peanut sauce on medium-low heat, stir continuously for 5-10 minutes or until the peanut sauce thickens to your desired consistency, or until the oil and the peanut sauce separates.
  • Let cool to room temperature and serve with satay chicken.

Notes