Lynn's Soup

Courtesy of Lynn Rowley

1/4 C butter melted
2 med onions (fry onions in butter until translucent)
1 t curry
2 T flour (add and cook 2-3 min)
4 C Chicken Broth
2 C diced potatos
1 C sliced/grated carrots
1/2 C celery
2 T parsley
1/2 t poultrey seasoning (cook 25 min until veggies are tender)
3 C cooked chicken breast chopped
1/2 C uncooked rice
2 C half & half
10 oz frozen chopped spinach (cook 25-30 min)

Naan

Original recipe courtesy of allrecipes
Makes 14 servings

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 4 1/2 cups bread flour (3 1/2 if using bread maker)
• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (optional, helps make the bread bubble when cooking)
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic (optional)
• 1/4 cup butter, melted (for brushing)
  

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water.  (Let stand about 10 minutes, until frothy.) Stir in milk, egg, salt, and enough flour to make a soft dough. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes on a lightly floured surface, or until smooth. Place dough in a well oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a damp cloth, and set aside to rise. Let it rise 1 hour, until the dough has doubled in volume.
2. Punch down dough, and knead in garlic. Pinch off small handfuls of dough about the size of a golf ball. Roll into balls, and place on a tray. Cover with plastic wrap or a towel, and allow to rise until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
3. During the second rising, preheat grill to high heat.
4. At grill side, roll one ball of dough out into a thin circle. Lightly oil grill. Place dough on grill, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until puffy and lightly browned. Brush uncooked side with butter, and turn over. Brush cooked side with butter, and cook until browned, another 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from grill, and continue the process until all the naan has been prepared. 

Tip: If cooking in a pan on the stovetop, cover pan with lid to help create bubbles in the naan. Naan should be browned in spots, but majority should be pale in color. Do not overcook or thin parts of bread will become crispy.

Chicken Korma

We really like Chicken Korma and Tikka Masala, and ever since having it from the restaurant down the street, I've wanted to try making it at home. Armed with some extra time and new spices I got in my Christmas stocking, I decided to have a go using some recipes I found online.

The below is a combination of the following two recipes.
- Main Recipe followed is from AllRecipes
- It was slightly adjusted with information found from McCormick's

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup cashew halves
• 1/4 cup boiling water
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled (or 1/4 teaspoon garlic paste)
  
• 1 (1/2 inch) piece fresh ginger root, peeled and chopped (or 1/8 teaspoon ginger paste)
  
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 bay leaves, crumbled (or 4 whole and pulled out after)
  
• 1 stick of cinnamon (broken into two pieces)
  
• 1 large onion, minced
• 1 teaspoon garam masala    
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 tablespoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection Curry Powder
• OR...
  
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 3 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - diced
• 1/4 cup tomato sauce
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (or lowfat coconut milk)
  
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch, mixed with equal parts water

Directions

1. Place cashews in a small bowl, and pour the boiling water over nuts. Set aside for 15 to 20 minutes. Place garlic and ginger in food processor and blend until smooth; set aside.
2. Heat oil in wok over medium heat. Cook the bay leaves and cinnamon stick in hot oil for 30 seconds. Stir in onion, and cook until soft, about 3 to 5 minutes. Mix in garlic/ginger paste, and season with garam masala, turmeric, and McCormick Curry Powder (cumin, coriander, chili powder). Stir in chicken, and cook for about 5 minutes. Pour in tomato sauce and chicken broth. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Meanwhile, place the cashews, along with the water in which they were soaked, and the cream and yogurt into food processor. Process until smooth.
4. Stir the cashew mixture into the chicken and onions. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the cornstarch mixture, and continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes.

OPTIONAL...
Sprinkle with 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds (finely chopped)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

Serve over Basmati rice with a side of Naan.