We are facing a very challenging pandemic year so far and each of us have their versions of challenges. However, festivals bring hope and happiness and we start anticipating nice things in progress, forgetting about the obstacles and challenges of a pandemic year.
Hope this
Christmas lightens up your day with joy and laughter. Merry Christmas!!
I have made
these Chicken parcels and dear daughter has made Choco chip cookies on Christmas eve yesterday, so likewise it has featured
in the blog. These chicken parcels are easy to assemble with ready-made short
crust pastry dough. These parcels reminded me of Cornish pasties, although not
entirely similar but has uncanny resemblance, perhaps a little shape is lacking
here and there. The crescent shape Pasty was replaced with a rectangular
chicken parcel. I have avoided doing egg wash for each parcel. But next time
will do that for a nice even shinny and crusty layer.
Now to the
recipe
Chicken Parcel
Recipe
requirements
- Short crust pastry block- 500gms
- 400-500 gms of chicken thigh portions
- 1 medium size potato
- 1 medium size onion
- 1 cup of green peas
- 100 Gms of baby chestnut mushrooms
- 1 medium size tomato
- 3-4 heaped tbs of chicken gravy granules
- 1 tsp of black pepper powder
- 3-4 tbs of cooking oil
- 1 tsp of salt
Method
- Clean and cut chicken thigh portions into bit size portions. Chop potato, tomato and onion. Cut potato into small bite size portions.
- Now put a fry pan on medium heat. Add cooking oil, add in onions, baby chestnut mushrooms, green peas and cut tomatoes. Add in potato and chicken pieces as well.
- Add in chicken gravy granules and salt. Add in black pepper powder. Add in a cup of water. Cover and cook for about 15-20 mints or till chicken turn out soft and the content starts collecting well somewhat more like semi-dry.
Now to the
pastry
- Take out pastry dough from the packet and divide it into 4 portions. Roll into a long rectangular slab. Please follow package direction for thawing and rolling the dough.
- Divide the cooked chicken and potato mixture into 4 portions.
- Place the mixture at one side and roll over from other side. Press with fork and seal the ends. (At this time, you can even do an egg wash for each parcel)
- Preheat an oven at 180 deg C.
- Put the parcels over baking tray and bake 25-30 mints depending on the make of oven. Take out once the sides of parcel start to brown out. The sides of the parcel should nicely toast and center should remain little bit soft but cooked well.
- Serve warm and enjoy. Vegetarians can make it with soya chunks or Paneer pieces.
These Choco Chip Cookies were made by dear daughter and these turned out very delicious.
Choco Chip Cookies
Recipe requirements
Recipe adapted
from (Here)
- 125 gms of softened butter
- 100 gms granulated sugar
- 100 gms light brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 and ¾ cup of self-rising flour
- 1 tsp of vanilla essence
- ½ tsp of salt
- 100 gms of chocolate chips
Method
- Cream softened butter and granulated sugar, light brown sugar in a big mixing bowl.
- Now add egg and vanilla essence and mix well.
- Sift in self raising flour and salt. Keep mixing this flour mixture with creamed butter and sugar till all the dough starts to collect well. Dust off more flour if it gets sticky.
- Put the dough to rest in fridge for about 2-3 hrs. Take out when you are ready to make Choco chip cookies.
- Preheat an oven at 180 deg C. Line up a baking tray with grease proof paper or baking paper sheet.
- Now make walnut size small balls out of the dough and roll them nicely rounded. Put them apart on baking tray. Sprinkle some chocolate chips over and gently press to secure them on cookies dough.
- Bake in the oven for about 10-15 mints or the make of your oven.
- Take out once sides are just starting to go light brown in color. Delicious Choco chip cookies are ready. Enjoy. This dough can be put in deep fridge and it will stay fresh for about a month, Use it accordingly.
May this Christmas bring you loads of happiness and laughter.
Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year everyone.