Comfort Food

Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup fine cornmeal
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt (1 tsp. if using fine salt)
4 large eggs
1 cup cooked corn kernels plus enough cream, milk or buttermilk to equal 1 1/2 cups
2 jalapeno peppers, seeds removed and diced
1 cup grated cheddar cheese, plus bit more for top before baking
3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2/3 cup sugar

Place diced jalapenos in skillet, then place in a 10-inch top diameter cast iron skillet in cold oven on middle rack.

Preheat oven to 400and leave skillet with jalapenos in oven as it preheats. in pre-heating oven. Check periodically to make sure they aren’t burning and to give them a quick stir. Remove when they are lightly browned and allow to cool. Return skillet immediately to oven.

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, lightly beat eggs in a medium to blend. Whisk in corn/cream mixture and cheddar cheese. ?Set aside.

In a large bowl, mix butter and sugar together with a wooden spoon, just until butter absorbs the sugar. Add the egg mixture and mix until just combined.

Stir in the cooled jalapenos. Mix in the dry ingredients just until barely incorporated.

Remove skillet from oven and lightly coat with nonstick spray.

Spoon batter in to hot pan and quickly top with a bit more grated cheddar cheese.

Bake cornbread until top is golden brown and springs back when gently pressed, 25-28 minutes when baked in a 10-inch skillet (may be longer if your skillet is smaller).

Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

Colicchio’s Dinner Rolls

Dough:
3/4 cup warm milk about 110F
1 tsp instant or dry active yeast
1 tsp Barley malt or 2/3 tsp molasses
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp coarse Kosher salt, or 1 tsp fine table salt *reduce if using salted butter
2 1/2 Tbsp unsalted butter softened

Topping:
Melted butter for brushing
Finishing Salt such as Fleur de Sel or Maldon’s

Stir together milk, yeast, and malt syrup in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a kneading hook. Let sit until foamy, about 10 minutes.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Add to milk mixture along with softened butter and stir with a wooden spoon or mix with mixer until a dough forms. Knead 5-6 minutes, adding additional flour as needed, to produce a smooth, moist dough.

Remove to a greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size, about 2 – 3 hours. *Trust your eyes here and not the clock. You will want to let the dough rise until it has doubled in size, however long that takes. I find it helpful to rise in an 8-cup glass measuring cup, so it’s easy to see when it has doubled.

Punch down dough and let rise again until doubled again, about 2 hours (or until doubled in size).

Meanwhile, melt a bit of butter and brush on a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Set aside.

Remove dough to a floured surface and divide into 8-10 equal sized pieces. Form pieces into balls and place into the buttered 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. (4 or 5 rows of two rolls, spaced evenly in the pan).

Cover pan with a clean tea towel and let rise until puffy and about doubled, about 2 hours more.

Preheat oven to 350F. When rolls are risen, brush with melted butter and bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until golden.

Remove from oven. Let stand a minute, then remove from pan to a cooling rack.

Brush with more melted butter and sprinkle tops with finishing salt.

Remove from pan and serve warm.

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

8 oz dry macaroni (1 2/3 cups measured in a 2 cup glass liquid measure. Note that this measure will only work for macaroni and probably not a larger pasta shape. Weighing is recommended.)

Cheese Sauce:
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
7 oz Good aged white crumbly cheddar crumbled
3 oz Another variety orange sharp cheddar or cold-packed cheddar grated or crumbled
1/2 tsp kosher salt little less if using table salt
1/4 tsp regular chili powder
1/8 tsp garlic powder

Topping:
1/2 oz aged cheddar grated
1/4 tsp chipotle chili powder

Add water and a bit of salt to a large pot and place over high heat for the pasta. While it’s heating, prepare the cheese sauce.

For the cheese sauce: In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and continue to whisk and cook for about 2 minutes.

Very slowly add the milk, a little at a time, whisking constantly. Once all the milk has been added, cook, stirring frequently until the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes. (Don’t rush this step. The mixture will not be thick, but will noticeably thicken after 8-10 minutes of cooking).

Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the cheese, salt, chili powder and garlic powder. Stir until the cheese is melted and all the ingredients are incorporated, about 3 minutes. (If the cheese isn’t melted completely after about 3 minutes, you can put the pan back on low heat and stir until it is melted). Set aside for a minute.

Preheat oven to 350F (175C) with rack in the centre of the oven. Oil or butter an 8-inch square baking dish, an 8-inch cast-iron skillet or individual baking dishes.

When the pasta water is boiling, add the macaroni and cook for 2 minutes less than the package directions indicate. (The noodles will finish cooking in the sauce in the oven). When the pasta is cooked, drain and immediately rinse well with cold water. Make sure your pasta is well drained.

Add the cooked pasta and to the cheese sauce and mix gently, but thoroughly. (It might look like too much sauce or too little pasta, but trust me, it will all be good in the end).

Spoon or ladle the mixture into a prepared baking dish or individual dishes. Sprinkle the top of each with a bit of additional grated sharp cheddar cheese (you don’t need a lot here, as there is plenty in the sauce), then sprinkle with the chipotle chili powder.

Bake in the preheated 350F (175C) oven uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, until the sauce has bubbled up around the edges and the top has a nice golden crust. Let sit for a few minutes before serving.

Apple Pandowdy

1 roll puff pastry thawed

Filling:
5-6 large apples cooking/pie apples, peeled and cored
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
3 Tbsp water
6 Tbsp white sugar
6 Tbsp packed brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon

Topping:
2 Tbsp white or turbinado sugar

Preheat oven to 425F.

Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add water, white sugar and brown sugar, and bring to a boil. Reduce temperature to low to keep warm.

Grease an 8-inch round skillet, pan, pie plate (or equivalent sized) pan. Set on a baking sheet and set aside.

Peel and core apples, then thinly slice. Add to prepared baking pan, filling the pan about 2/3-3/4 full.

Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut thawed puff pastry into irregular, 1-inch-ish shapes. Scatter about 1/3 of the pastry pieces randomly over top of apples. Slowly pour the sugar mixture over-top, pouring all around the pan to make sure the filling reaches all parts of the pan. Pour slowly so it drips down into the apples and not over the side.

Place the remaining pastry pieces on top, overlapping, as necessary and leaving a few small open spots (to allow steam to escape). Sprinkle a bit of sugar on to the top of pastry.

Place into preheated oven (on baking sheet to catch overflowing juices!) and bake for 15 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 350F and continue baking for an addition 35-40 minutes, or until filling is bubbly and pastry is golden brown and puffy. Let stand a few minutes before serving.

Lovely served with a dusting of icing sugar and a scoop of ice cream.

Roast Chicken with Black Pepper-Maple Glaze

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
Coarsely ground pepper
2 medium onions, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt
Two 3 1/2-pound organic chickens

Preheat the oven to 350°. In a small saucepan, melt the butter with the maple syrup and 2 teaspoons of coarsely ground pepper. Remove the glaze from the heat.

On a large heavy-duty rimmed baking sheet, toss the sliced onions with the olive oil. Season the onions with salt and pepper and spread in an even layer. Season the chickens inside and out with salt, then arrange them on top of the onions. Loosely tie the chicken legs together with kitchen string.

Roast the chickens for 45 minutes. Brush the chickens all over with half of the maple glaze and continue roasting them for 1 hour longer. Increase the oven temperature to 425°. Generously brush the chickens with the remaining glaze and roast for 15 minutes longer, or until the cavity juices run clear and the chickens are richly browned.

Transfer the chickens to a platter and let rest for 10 minutes before carving. Pour the onions and pan juices into a large glass measuring cup and skim the fat from the surface. Season with salt and pepper and serve with the chickens.

Baked Beans with Maple-Glazed Bacon

3 1/2 cups dried yellow eye or cannellini beans, rinsed and picked over, then soaked for 2 hours and drained
Kosher salt
9 thick slices of bacon (10 ounces), 1 slice cut crosswise into 1/4-inch strips
1 large onion, cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup dark brown sugar 1/4 cup dark unsulfured molasses
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

In a large pot, cover the beans with 2 inches of water and bring to a boil. Simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until just tender, about 2 hours; add water as needed to keep the beans covered by 2 inches. Season the beans with salt and let stand at room temperature for 5 minutes. Drain the beans, reserving 4 cups of the cooking liquid. Transfer the beans to a large, deep baking dish.

Preheat the oven to 350°. In a large skillet, cook the bacon strips over moderate heat until the fat has rendered, 5 minutes. Add the onion and cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 10 minutes. Stir in the apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, molasses, crushed red pepper, black pepper and 1 1/2 tablespoons of kosher salt and simmer for 1 minute, until the sugar is dissolved. Pour the bacon-onion mixture over the beans and stir in the reserved bean cooking liquid. Cover the beans with foil and bake for 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix the maple syrup with the red wine vinegar and mustard. Arrange the remaining 8 bacon slices on a rimmed baking sheet, and generously brush them with the maple syrup mixture. Bake the bacon in the same oven as the beans for about 15 minutes, basting 3 times and turning the bacon twice, until richly glazed. Transfer the bacon to a plate.

Carefully pour 1/3 cup of water onto the baking sheet and return it to the oven for about 3 minutes to dissolve the caramelized syrup. Uncover the beans and carefully stir in the syrup. Bake the beans, uncovered, for about 20 minutes longer, until the liquid has reduced by about one-fourth.

Increase the oven temperature to 400°. Top the beans with the glazed bacon and bake until browned, about 15 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Make Ahead

The beans can be prepared through Step 2 and refrigerated overnight. Reheat, covered, in a 350° oven before proceeding.

Maple Bacon Cheddar Biscuits

8 slices bacon, diced
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup unsalted butter, frozen
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
6 tablespoons maple syrup, divided
2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add bacon and cook until brown and crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat; transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate.

In a large bowl, combine bacon, flour, cheese, baking powder, salt and baking soda.

Grate butter using the large holes of a box grater. Stir into the flour mixture.

In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk and 4 tablespoons maple syrup. Add to the flour mixture and stir using a rubber spatula until a soft dough forms.

Working on a lightly floured surface, knead the dough 3-4 times until it comes together. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a 1 1/4-inch thick rectangle. Cut out 12 rounds using a 2 to 2 1/2-inch biscuit or cookie cutter. Place biscuits onto the prepared baking sheet; place in the freezer for 15 minutes.
Remove biscuits from freezer. Place into oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown.

In a small bowl, whisk together remaining 2 tablespoons maple syrup and butter.

Serve biscuits warm, brushed with the maple-butter mixture.

Pasta con Fagioli

8 ounces campanelle or other short pasta
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided, plus more to serve
2 pints grape or cherry tomatoes
1 large red onion, chopped
1 large fennel bulb, halved, cored and thinly sliced
4 medium garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
3/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 15½-ounce cans Roman beans (see note), drained but not rinsed
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest, plus 2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 ounces Pecorino romano cheese, grated (1 cup)

In a large Dutch oven over medium-high, bring 2 quarts water to a boil. Add the pasta and 1 tablespoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until just shy of al dente. Reserve 2 cups of cooking water, then drain and rinse with cold water until cool; set aside.

Wipe out the pot and return it medium-high. Heat 3 tablespoons of oil until barely smoking. Add the tomatoes, then cover, reduce to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly charred and have burst, about 5 minutes. Stir in the onion, sliced fennel and ½ teaspoon salt, then cook on medium-high, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes.

Add the garlic, rosemary, fennel seeds and pepper flakes, then cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the beans, broth and ½ cup of the reserved cooking water. Bring to a simmer over medium-high. Cover, reduce to medium and cook, stirring once or twice, until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.

Add the pasta and cook, stirring frequently, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce is creamy, 3 to 5 minutes. If needed, add the remaining reserved cooking water 1 tablespoon at a time to reach the proper consistency. Off heat, stir in the lemon zest and juice and the remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Serve with the cheese and additional oil for drizzling.

Soto Ayam

4 chicken cutlets (or 4 boneless chicken legs)
6 cups water
2 cups coconut milk
2 stalks lemongrass , finely chopped
4 lime leaves
8 cloves garlic
3 shallots
1 large tomato, peeled, seeded and diced
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 (2-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled
1 (4-inch piece) galangal, peeled
1 (4-inch piece) fresh turmeric, peeled
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/2 teaspoon peppercorns
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons peanut oil (or vegetable oil)
4 oz. rice vermicelli
3 scallions , thinly sliced
2 red chili peppers , sliced
3 hard boiled eggs , peeled and quartered
1 cup bean sprouts
Juice of 2 kaffir limes
1/4 bunch cilantro , chopped
1 cup cooked rice

In a Dutch oven, sauté the chicken in half the oil for 5 minutes.

Add water, coconut milk, half the lemongrass, the lime leaves, spring onions, half the garlic, tomato, celery, and salt.

Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

Reduce heat to medium-low.

Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked.
Remove the chicken from the broth and set aside.

Remove skin and bones from chicken and cut into strips. Set aside.

Prepare a spice paste: With a pestle and mortar or a food processor, grind the shallots, ginger, galangal, turmeric, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, peppercorns, the remaining lemongrass, garlic until obtaining a smooth paste.

Heat the remaining oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat.
Sauté the spice paste and hot pepper slices for 3 minutes over medium heat, stirring constantly.

Add broth and reserved kaffir lime juice. Bring to a boil over high heat.

Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes. Set aside.

Cook the rice vermicelli according to the package directions. Drain.

Blanch bean sprouts in boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain.

Place all the ingredients in large bowls.

Pour the broth into each bowl. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro.
Serve with rice.

Chinese Pork Fried Rice

2 tablespoons peanut oil (or vegetable oil) (*Footnote 1)
1 lbs (450 g) ground pork
3 tablespoons oyster sauce , separated
1 tablespoon soy sauce
3 green onions , chopped
3 cloves garlic , minced
3 eggs , beaten
1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn)
3 cups leftover steamed rice
Salt to taste
2 teaspoons sesame oil

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the ground pork. Stir and cook until browned, 2 minutes.

Add the green onion, garlic, and 2 tablespoons oyster sauce. Stir and cook for 1 minute.

Add the rice. Cook and stir to mix everything together. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oyster sauce and soy sauce. Stir to mix the sauce with the other ingredients.

Add the mixed vegetables. Stir everything together and cook until the vegetables defrost, 1 minute or so.

Move everything to one side of the pan. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the other side of the pan. Add the beaten eggs. Let the bottom set for a couple seconds. Then scramble the eggs and use your spatula to cut them into small pieces. Then mix the eggs with the other ingredients.

Taste the rice and add salt to adjust the seasoning, if needed, then mix well again. If you like slightly crispy rice, let the rice sit on the hot pan for 20 to 30 without stirring.

Add the sesame oil and mix everything again. Transfer the fried rice onto serving plates.

Serve hot as a main or side dish.

Thai Pork Fried Rice

1 tablespoon Thai fish sauce
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon water
1 teaspoon white sugar
4 cups cooked and chilled jasmine rice
1 tablespoon peanut or vegetable oil
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 ounces thinly sliced pancetta, chopped
4 scallions, white and green parts thinly sliced, reserved separately
1 large shallot, minced (4 tablespoons)
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Sliced cucumber and lime wedges, to serve

In a bowl, stir together the fish sauce, soy sauce, water and sugar. Set aside. Use your hands to break up the rice so no clumps remain. Set aside.

Heat a wok over medium-high until a drop of water evaporates within 1 to 2 seconds of contact, about 3 minutes. Swirl in the oil, then pour in the eggs. Cook, stirring, until just set. Transfer the eggs to a plate. Add the pancetta to the wok and cook over medium, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to the plate with the eggs.

Return the wok to medium-high until just smoking. Add the scallion whites, shallot and garlic, then, using a metal spatula, stir-fry until softened, about 1 minute. Add the rice and stir-fry until heated through, about 2 minutes.

Stir the fish sauce mixture to recombine, then pour in a thin stream along the sides of the wok. Stir-fry until well mixed. Stir in the pancetta, egg (breaking up the egg) and cilantro. Transfer to a large platter and sprinkle with scallion greens. Serve with cucumber and lime wedges.

Apple Cheddar Drop Biscuits

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
4 tsp baking powder
1 Tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup cold butter, cubed
1 cup shredded extra-old Cheddar cheese
1 cup grated cored peeled apple
2 Tbsp chopped fresh green onion or parsley (optional)
3/4 cup milk

Preheat oven to 425° F.

In large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Using pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with a few larger pieces. Stir in Cheddar, apple and green onions. Using a fork, stir in milk to form a ragged dough.

Drop by 1/4 cup mounds, 1 1/2 inches apart, onto parchment paper–lined rimless baking sheet. Bake in 425° oven until lightly browned, 13 to 15 minutes.

Golden Egg Fried Rice

1 large or jumbo egg
1 scant tablespoon chopped green onion
1/4 teaspoon MSG
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon dry sherry or Shaoxing rice wine
Brimming 2 cups cooked long grain rice, at room temperature
1 to 1 1/2 tablespoon neutral oil or bacon dripping

In a bowl and with a fork, beat together the egg, green onion, MSG, salt, and sherry. Add the rice and stir vigorously to combine well.

Heat a medium (10-inch) well-seasoned carbon steel or nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add the oil (or bacon dripping). When shimmering, dump in the rice. Stir and fold constantly for 3 to 4 minutes to cook evenly and separate the grains. The rice will be sticky and clump together at first but eventually separate.

When the grains have separated and pale yellow, you’re done! Serve on a plate to share or in individual bowls.
Notes

Chicken and Rice Noodle Soup (Kway Teow Tom Kha Gai)

2 oz (60 grams) chicken
1 handful thin rice noodles (*soaked)
3/4 cup (170 ml) water
(1/2 cup) 100 ml coconut milk
4-5 pieces galangal (sliced)
1/2 stalk lemongrass (sliced)
2 kaffir lime leaves
1 Thai shallot (press gently)
2 small green chillies (press gently)
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 teaspoon crispy fried garlic

Put the coconut milk in a pan and bring to the boil then add the chicken and mix them well. Stir until it is half cooked then add the water and fish sauce, sugar and lime juice then mix them well.

Add all the herbs and wait until it boils and then pour over the noodles. Garnish with crispy fried garlic and serve.
Serves 1.

*Note: Before cooking, soak the rice noodles in cold water for 20-25 minutes until they become soft, then drain. In a pot, bring 1 liter of water to the boil. Dunk the noodles for 2-3 seconds in the boiling water; set aside in a bowl.

Drunken Noodles (Kway Teow Pad Kee Mao)

3-4 Tablespoons cooking oil (palm, soybean or corn but not olive oil)
1 pkg (13.2 oz) Thai rice noodles
1 pkg (1.76oz) Holy Basil Seasoning, Lobo brand or 3 1/2 Tablespoon Por Kwan brand (optional)
1 lb kale, Chinese broccoli or green cabbage (2-3 cups), cut into bite size pieces
4 oz cherry tomatoes
6 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
4 oz Thai chilies peppers, crushed
7oz (200 grams) chicken or pork, sliced into thin pieces
2 Tablespoons Thai fish sauce (Golden Boy brand is recommended)
2 1/2 Tablespoons Oyster Sauce (Thai Mae Krua brand is recommended)
2-3 teaspoons Thai Sweet Black Soy Sauce
1 teaspoon white sugar, to taste
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/2 cup sweet basil leaves or holy basil if available (leaves and flowers), optional
2 Anaheim chilies or 1 green bell pepper, cut into strips, optional (for added texture and color)
Lime wedges to serve

Soak the dried rice noodles in cool or lukewarm tap water for 40 minutes to one hour or until the noodles are limp but still firm to touch.
Heat oil in wok until almost smoking. Add the garlic and Thai chilli peppers and stir-fry quickly until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add chicken or pork and stir-fry until no longer pink.
Add ready-made Holy Basil Seasoning, fish sauce, oyster sauce, black sweet soy sauce, sugar and ground white pepper. Stir to mix. Add pre-soaked noodles, fresh basil if using, tomatoes and bell or Anaheim chili peppers (if desired). Garnish with fresh basil leaves, lime wedges and serve immediately, hot!

Khao Mun Gai (Thai Chicken and Rice)

INGREDIENTS

1 Whole Chicken (5 Pounds or so)
1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic
1 1/3 Cups Salt
1 Medium White Onion
3 Slices Fresh Ginger
2 Cups Jasmine Rice
1/2 Cup White Sticky Rice
Garnish cucumber and cilantro

INGREDIENTS FOR SAUCE

2 Tablespoons Yellow Bean Sauce
4 Tablespoons Lime Juice
1/4 Cup Dark Sweet Soy Sauce
1 Tablespoon Chopped Garlic
1 Tablespoon Fresh Thai Chile Peppers, chopped
1 Tablespoon Fresh Cilantro, Chopped
1 Tablespoon Fresh Ginger, Chopped

Rinse your chicken and pull some of the skin off, especially the skin around the neck which you can cut off with scissors. Also remove fatty skin around the tail. You should get about 1/2 cup of skin and fat from the chicken.

Cut your onion in half and stuff inside the chicken. Put three slices of ginger inside chicken also. Next, rub the chicken with 1 tablespoon salt.

In a large pot, add four quarts of water, add chicken to water, bring to a boil and cook uncovered at a high simmer for an hour.

Rinse the jasmine rice and sticky rice together, drain and set aside.

In a dry wok, add the chicken skin that was set aside, and cook over low heat to brown the skin. Chicken fat will accumulate, while the skin becomes crispy. After about 15 minutes, remove the skin (we gave it to our dog).

Add chopped garlic to the chicken fat, until it starts to brown (but do not over-cook it, the color of your garlic should be light gold). Turn off the wok heat. Put the rinsed rice into your wok, and mix the garlic oil into the rice. Add one teaspoon of salt, and mix together. Transfer the rice mixture into a rice cooker.

Add enough chicken stock so it’s about 1/2″ above the rice. Turn on rice cooker and cook. Next, prepare your dipping sauce.

Dipping sauce: In a mortar and pestle, pound together fresh Thai chiles, garlic, cilantro and fresh ginger. Stir in yellow bean sauce, lime juice, and dark sweet soy sauce. Mix well and taste, then add more lime juice to adjust taste to your preference.

Serve with cooked sliced chicken, a bed of the steamed rice on the side, garnished with parsley, and accompanied by a good supply of sliced cucumber. Also serve with a cup of the chicken broth, and a generous dish of the sauce. Enjoy!

Gai Pad Krapao (Chicken with Basil)

1 Pound Ground Chicken (or any choice of meat you prefer)
3 Tablespoons Chile Paste with Holy Basil (spicy lovers, add more)
1/4 Cup Sliced Onion
1/4 Cup Sliced Green Bell Pepper
1/4 Cup Sliced Red Bell Pepper
1 1/2 Tablespoons Fish Sauce
1 Tablespoon Oyster Sauce
1 Tablespoon Golden Mountain Seasoning Sauce
2 Teaspoons Sugar
1 1/2 Tablespoons Water
Garnish Sliced Cucumber

Heat chili paste in a wok over medium high heat until the aroma of the chili paste rises from the wok. Add the chicken/meat of your choice.

As the meat cooks, use a cooking utensil to break it apart into small pieces, until the meat is fully cooked.

Add the vegetables and and the seasoning, oyster, fish sauce, and sugar. Turn the heat up to high and stir-fry for three minutes longer, until everything is heated but the vegetables remain crisp. If the dish appears to be too dry, water may be added. Remove from heat.

Serve this delicious dish over fresh steamed jasmine rice. Sliced cucumber may be added as a garnish. Enjoy!

Variants
You can experiment by replacing the meat with hard tofu marinated in a mixture of sweet soy, fish sauce and ground ginger, soy, or a vegetable mix of your choice (we like to mix broccoli and cauliflower florets, with julienned carrots), to make a vegetarian gai pad-gaprao.

Pad Krapao Moo (Pork with Basil)

2 Cups Pork Meat
5 Fresh Thai Chile Peppers
3 Fresh Japaleno Chile Peppers
2 Small Bulbs Garlic
1/2 Teaspoon White Pepper Powder
3 Cups Coarsely Chopped Fresh Thai Basil Leaves
2 Tablespoons Fish Sauce
1/2 Teaspoon Sugar

Pound jalapeno chile peppers in a mortar and pestle (don’t over-pulverize them).

Finely chop fresh Thai chile peppers and garlic.

Heat oil at high heat in a wok or skillet. Add garlic, jalapenos and Thai chiles, and white pepper powder.

After garlic becomes golden brown and fragrant, add the pork and fry until cooked.

Add fish sauce, sugar and fresh basil leaves. Fry for just a few minutes (or less) until the basil is cooked.

Remove from heat and serve over Thai jasmine rice.

Often served with a fried egg on the side. For added flavor you can add some oyster sauce (optional).

Thai Fried Rice with Nam Prik (Pao Sai Kai)

1/2 Pound Chicken, Thinly Sliced
1 Tablespoon Tapioca Flour
1 Tablespoon Golden Mountain Sauce

2 Eggs, Lightly Beaten, with a pinch of salt
1 Tablespoon Finely Chopped Garlic
5 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
1/2 Onion Coarsely Sliced
1/4 Cup Sliced Fresh Serano or Thai chile peppers (seeds removed)
6 Cups Cooked Jasmine Rice (made the day before, left at room temp in rice cooker works best)
1 Tablespoon Golden Mountain Sauce
2 Tablespoons Fish Sauce
1 1/2 Tablespoon Roasted Chile Paste (namprik pao)
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 Tablespoon Lime Juice
1 1/2 Teaspoons Sugar
1/2 Teaspoon Thai Pepper Powder
1/2 Cup Broccoli, Cut Into Small Florets
1 Tomato, Cut into Wedges
2 Tablespoons Green Onion, chopped

Toss chicken with tapioca flour and Golden Mountain sauce, and marinade for 10 minutes or a bit longer.

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok or skillet over medium heat. Add eggs and let it cook, flip it over and with a spatula chop the egg up into smaller pieces. Transfer egg to a plate and set aside.

Heat remaining oil in wok, add garlic and saute until golden brown. Add chicken and stir-fry briefly over high heat for 3-4 minutes. Add onion, chile pepper, and brocoli. Stir well. In a separate bowl, pour the next 7 ingredients onto the cooked rice. Gently add all of that to the wok, and stir it carefully to avoid smashing or breaking the rice. Throughly mix everything. Add tomato, green onion, and egg, then stir fry for just a brief minute or two. Remove from heat. Serve garnished with sliced cucumber. Enjoy!

Hot Pot Sauce Noodles

Sesame paste
Peanut butter
Soy sauce
Sacha sauce (chinese barbecue sauce)
Chinese vinegar
Chili oil
Raw garlic
Chopped scallions
Chopped cilantro
A handful of leafy greens, like bok choy, choy sum, spinach, or chinese broccoli
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 serving of noodles (dried or fresh)
Instructions

Start by mixing up your sauce in a serving bowl. You can use any combination of sesame paste, soy sauce, sacha sauce, chinese vinegar, chili oil, garlic, scallions, cilantro, or any other ingredients you like. The ones I’ve listed here are only a suggested guideline, but if you have a favorite chili sauce or other condiment that you’d like to add, feel free!

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add about 2 tablespoons oil to the pot, and blanch your leafy greens for 30 seconds to a minute, depending on how tender they are.

Remove the veggies from the water and transfer to your bowl. Then boil the noodles according to the package instructions and add to the bowl. Toss everything together, and enjoy