April 14, 2006

'Pizza-Rice' and 'Curry-Pie'

Strange names for a couple of my many strange combinations for improvising.

A chicken pie? A curry puff?Somewhere in between both I would say. A chicken pie with a dome of flaky butter pastry which can be shared between many; filled with a rich Indian curry and flavoured with a currypuff like crust sprinkled with Indian spices.
It's not something different enough for you to go "WOAHHH" but the tantalizing burst of indian flavours tops any ordinary old chicken pie! It is a good idea for times when you just want the indian curry but not the rice or the bread.
recipe: Fill with your favourite indian curry, cover the pie dish with a sheet of puff pastry, sprinkle with a good helping of ground cumin, fennel seeds and fenugreek. Bake!

My funny little housemate saw this dish and instantly exclaimed PIZZA-RICE! I must admit, It looked pretty amusing. I wouldn't consider it pizza on rice though, It is more of a cheesebaked rice dish from Kim-gary,(minus the white sauce). Or maybe try to think -- chicken parmigiana on garlic flavoured rice. The parmesan crumbed chicken paired with melted mozzarella and a spicy tomatoe,capsicum and oregano sauce tasted very well together on a bed of fragrant garlic rice. It is fairly difficult to harmonize the spicy sauce with the crumbed chicken as they both have very dominant flavours and neither should be too overpowering. If not you'll end up with a piece of chicken spicy as hell or a dish of rice with no sauce or flavour.
Here's the basic recipe:
Chicken---> crumb in salt, pepper, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, Lea&Perrins Worcestershire sauce.(pan fry)
Rice---> Cook rice in ricecooker/ microwave together with enough water, 1 tsp chicken stock powder and 2-3 garlic cloves peeled and crushed.
Spicy tomatoe sauce---> birds eye chilies, diced tomatoes, diced capsicum, tomatoe paste, fresh oregano leaves, salt and sugar to taste. (simmer in pot until it thickens and resembles pasta sauce)
To combine---> cover a baking dish with foil allowing for some over hang, fill with rice, place chicken pieces on top of rice, drench in sauce and cover with grated mozzarella. Fold over the sides of foil to cover sides of baking dish (as not to dry the rice in the oven) and bake. Remove when cheese has melted and slightly browned.

1 comment:

artaxerxes said...

Excellent notion.. tonight curry pie!

Fray Bentos (fmaous Pie makers) did a line of puff pastry curry pies for a while.. and looking for them drew me to your site.

Top work lass.