Week 18

*Welsh Cakes
*Asian BBQ Chicken with Coconut rice
*White Bean Chicken Chili
*Spicy Rigatoni

Welsh Cakes

• 2 cups flour
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 2 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground mace or nutmeg
• 1/2 cup cold butter
• 1/3 cup currants or raisins
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 2-4 TBSP milk

In a large bowl, whicsk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon and mace. Cut the butter into samll pieces and blend into the four mixture with a pastry blender or two kinves.  The mixture should look like coarse crumbs.  Stir in the currants.  Add the beaten egg and enough milk to form a light dough.
Knead the dough gently on a lightly floured surface and roll to a thickness of 1/4 inch. Cut into rounds using a 2 1/2 inch cookie cutter.
Lightly butter a griddle, heavy frying pan or electric frying pan and heat to medium hot.  Cook the welsh cakes for about 5 minutes per side or until they are golden brown, but still soft in the middle.  Immediately after baking, sprinkle with white sugar.
Note: They can also be baked in a 350 degree oven on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and bake for about 7 - 9 minutes on each side or until set and very lightly browned.


Asian BBQ Chicken with Coconut Rice

• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 TBSP lime juice (about 1 lime)
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp curry powder
• 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger
• 8 boneless, skinless chicken THIGHS
• green onions, sliced

Combine everything but the chicken in a small bowl.  Whisk to dissolve brown sugar.  Place marinade and chicken in a zip-loc bag.  Pop that bag in the fridge for a minimum of 4 hours, or longer if you have time.
Preheat a grill. Cook for 5-10 minutes on each side depending on the thickness.

Coconut Rice

• 2 cups white or jasmine rice
• 1 can coconut milk
• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp. Kosher salt
• splash of white vinegar
• 2-3 tsp white sugar

Combine ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.  Turn heat to low and cover for 20minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed. Allow to stand 5 minutes. Top with chicken and green onions.


White Bean Chicken Chili

• 2 cans Great Northern Beans
• 2 (12 oz) cans chicken broth
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 can corn or 10 oz frozen corn
• 1 (12 oz) can chicken breast drained
• 1 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Put everything in a soup pot except cheese and simmer for 45 min. Stir in cheese. 

Optional: Serve with toppings. (additional cheese, green onions, tortilla chips) Good over rice too.

Spicy Rigatoni

• 2 TBSP oil
• 1/2 TBSP crushed red pepper
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 TBSP Chopped garlic
• 2 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
• 3/4 cup marinara sauce
• 1/2 cup alfredo sauce
• 1/4 cup peas
• 1 pound Rigatoni pasta

Cook pasta according to package directions. In a skillet, heat oil.  Add crushed red pepper, salt, pepper, and garlic and saute just long enough for the garlic to caramelize and red pepper to release flavor into the oil.  Add sliced chicken and saute briefly to coat in spices. Add Marinara sauce first and then the alfredo and bring to a simmer. Pour over noodles and toss with peas.