Thursday 21 June 2018

Recipe: Chilli Chicken/Tofu with Spicy Beans & Tomato Sauce


Chilli Chicken/Tofu with Spicy Beans & Tomato Sauce

My apologies for not updating in a while - I have been busy with a project, but I am back today with a lovely recipe to share. It is actually a cross between two recipes that I am very fond of, Chicken Marsala (I haven't posted this one yet), which gave me the technique for doing the chicken and Turkey/Soya/Quorn Chilli with Tortilla Crust and Avocado Salsa for the beans and sauce.

Updated - I forgot to mention this works extremely well with smoked tofu, rather than chicken for the vegetarians among us - the flavour goes beautifully, and coating it in flour and frying it would give the little crunch too.

Serves 4 Cooking Time 45 min

Ingredients

  • 4 skinless chicken breasts or 1 packet of smoked Tofu (Tofoo is fantastic)
  • 3 tbsp regular flour (for gluten free, you could use another flour of your choice - it is only to help the browning)
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • ½ tsp mild chili powder
  • ½ red onion
  • 1 skinned red pepper 
  • 500g box of passata
  • 1 tbsp chipotle (if you don't like it as spicy, reduce the amount)
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 can red kidney beans
  • 1 can cannellini beans
  • ¼ cup sherry (optional)
  • 2 tbsp oil for frying
Rice or tortillas for serving, with soured cream and avocado salsa (optional).

Instructions

  1. Put flour, pepper, salt and mild chili powder in a bag and shake to mix. 
  2. Pound the chicken breast until they are about ¼ inch thick or Cut the tofu into four equal, flat pieces.
  3. Put the chicken or tofu in the bag and shake to coat with flour.
  4. In a large frying pan (30cm/12in) or flameproof casserole heat the oil and add the chicken/tofu. Cook until golden on both sides and just cooked - about 5-6 mins for chicken, less for tofu.
  5. Remove and set aside to rest in a warm place.
  6. Chop the onion finely.
  7. Sweat down in the same pan as the chicken was cooked in, over a low heat, until translucent.
  8. Chop the red pepper into bite sized pieces and add to the pan.
  9. Add the ground cumin and stir through - cook for 1 min.
  10. Stir in the passata and chipotle - rinse out the passata box/can with a little water and add that too.
  11. Add the beans and the sherry and bring to the boil.
  12. Cook until the sauce has thickened and is viscous - can take up to 10 mins, but use your judgement.
  13. Turn the heat down, add the chicken/tofu to the pan, including any juices that came out, pop on the lid and cook for 2-3 mins until the chicken/tofu is warmed through.
  14. Serve with rice or tortillas.
This is a very hearty meal with lots of things that are really good for us. It is also very tasty and the way the chicken comes out so juicy inside and slightly crunchy on the outside it just about perfect.

Friday 1 June 2018

Shower of Destiny by Natasha Duncan-Drake #FreeFictionFriday #Fantasy #Humour

Male torso in shower of water - Shower of Destiny over top.

Shower of Destiny by Natasha Duncan-Drake

Free Fiction Friday


It is once again Free Fiction Friday because we have hit June already (where does the time go?) and it's the first Friday. Every month Soph and I produce a free short story for the members of our newsletter to say thank you for sticking with us. These stories range from ghost stories to sci-fi with paranormal and fantasy in there too, so there is something for everyone.

This month we have contemporary fantasy with a good side of humour.

Each story is posted over at Wittegen Press and we send out the password to all our members so they can unlock the delights of the monthly offering.

If you aren't a member, fear not, the password is also contained in the welcome email for the newsletter, so if you sign up now, you'll be able to read this month's story.

Our newsletter is all about:
  • releases, 
  • competitions, 
  • special offers, 
  • our authors,
  • and any other useful information about Wittegen Press
  • as well as Free Fiction Friday every month.
We pride ourselves on never spamming our members, and you can unsubscribe at any time you wish, of course.


We'll also give you 2 FREE eBooks for joining us. You can't get these 2 anywhere else at the moment.


Free Fiction Friday for June 2018

Title: Shower of Destiny
Author: Natasha Duncan-Drake
Genre: contemporary fantasy, humour
Length: Short Story
Description:
Destiny is never easy to deal with, especially when it involves being accosted while naked.