Basil Chicken

Since I had some basil leftover, I was thinking what can I make with basil besides the usual basil pesto or tomato, mozarella, and basil stacks. I had some chicken breast so I decided to make basil chicken. As I was searching the internet to find recipes to base my basil chicken on, I noticed some use ground chicken others used sliced chicken. I liked the sliced chicken. It also uses the thai fish sauce but that is a strong taste not many people like so I omited it and used oyster sauce, sugar, soy sauce and some chicken broth. You are to use thai chiles but since my family does not eat spicy I also omited it. The final dish came out very well. Good basil aroma, nice thick sauce, and tender chicken.

Ingredients: chicken, basil, garlic, onions

Basil Chicken

Ingredients:
2 boneless chicken breast
1 tablespoon cornstarch
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped basil
4-5 whole basil leaves
1 medium onion, sliced thin
4 tablespoons chicken broth
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 tablespoon sugar

Directions:
1. Keep chicken a little frozen so it is easier to cut. Cut chicken into thin slices. Marinate chicken with some water and cornstarch.

2. Heat wok on medium high heat. When hot add oil. Add chopped garlic and stir for about 1 minute until fragrant but not brown. Add the onions and cook until they are brown, about 4-5 minutes.

3. Add chicken and cook until outside of chicken is just done, about 5-7 minutes. stir all ingredients together. Add oyster sauce, soy sauce, and sugar. stir well together. Last add the chicken broth to create a thick sauce.

4. Add the chopped basil and stir together until fragrant, about another 1-2 minutes. Add the whole leaves and just cook until they are wilted. Place on serving platter and serve.

If you would like to have a party catered or want to know about cooking classes contact me at fancindy888@gmail.com

Red Mango Fans

for all you Red mango Fans. Here is a deal. $1 smoothies on July 20th. Great way to have a healthy drink, try something new, and not pay the high prices that smoothies usually cost. Have a great smoothie day.


http://www.8coupons.com/discounts/red-mango-union-square-new-york-10011#d3938001

Copy and paste link in browser.

First time making Hollandaise Sauce

Since in the house we have lots of eggs and bought canadian bacon, I decided to make my version of eggs benedict. It was my first time making hollandaise sauce. You hear all the stories about how people say this is a hard sauce to make because if the butter does not emulsify well with the eggs it will just separate and you get a layer of butter and a layer of eggs. Not very appealing. I found a simple recipe (recipe below) that did not sound hard. Big suggestion, prep all ingredients before starting to make becuase you need to whisk the sauce constantly. (This I learned from stopping to melt butter then go back to see eggs were partially cooked and scrambled). Finally, after cleaning up my first try, I made it again. It was very easy all you need is a strong arm to whisk the eggs til pale yellow and thick. Then add salt and pepper to taste. Then take the egg mix off of the stove and slowly drizzle in melted butter until all incorporated. I put it back on the saucepan with simmering water to bring the sauce back to a thick consitency. Keep warm until ready to use.

Since I had unused egg whites, I decided to make an egg white omelete (this is beeter for you anyways). I used regular wheat bread instead of english muffin. Then cooked the canadian bacon for a minute. Added some blanched spinach for vegetables. Assemble: the toasted bread, canadian bacon, blanched spinach, eggs, then the hollandaise sauce. I made 2 of them. The end result was a creamy sauce and nice contrast with the salty bacon and nice green spinach.

Hollandaise sauce:

Ingredients:
2 egg yolks
salt and fresh ground pepper
dash of hot pepper sauce
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions:
1. Place egg yolks, lemon juice, and hot sauce in a metal bowl. Place bowl on top of a saucepan with simmering water. Do not let bowl touch the water. Whisk egg yolks until pale thick yellow in color. Add salt and pepper to taste.
2. Take egg mixture off of stove and drizzle in the melted butter while whisking to combine. making sure the sauce does not separate. Then return to the saucepan and whisk until thick again. Taste and add more seasoning if needed.

If you would like to have a catered party, event, or learn about my cooking lessons please contact me at fancindy888@gmail.com.

Everyday Good Eats Facebook fanpage

I have created a fanpage on facebook for my cooking classes and events company called Everyday Good Eats. (Website to come soon).

Learn about cooking classes, cooking techniques, see photos of past events and you can inquire about classes, catering, or events. Link below to join.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Everyday-good-eats/134194919934908?ref=ts