Archive for the ‘Star anise’ Category

Nigella’s Maple Chicken ‘n’ Ribs with sweet potato quarters

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

 Sweet potatoes

Now the kids have broken up from school and nursery, it’s handy to have some easy suppers to keep them (and you) happy!  This one from Nigella Express is definitely a winner.

12 pork spare ribs
12 chicken thighs
250ml apple juice
1/2 lemon, juiced
4 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 star anise
1 cinnamon stick, halved
6 garlic cloves, unpeeled
4 sweet potatoes

Mix all the ingredients apart from the potatoes in a large dish or freezer bag.  Mix really well. Leave to marinate in fridge overnight or up to two days.

To cook, preheat the oven to 200c.  Spread the ingredients over two trays, making sure the chicken is skin side up and cook for an hour and a quarter (or until everything is sticky and browned).   Cut the sweet potatoes longwise into quarters and add to the roasting tins half an hour before the end.

Posted in Chicken, Cinnamon, Garlic, Lemon, Maple Syrup, Ribs, Soy sauce, Star anise, Supper, Sweet potato | No Comments »

Lamb, Squash & Coconut Jungle Stew

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Kuri Squash

1 Kuri Squash
1 Onion
400g diced stewing lamb (or beef)
2 stock cubes (lamb or beef)
3 tbsp hot water
1 tin coconut milk
1 star anise
2 pieces fresh or dried galangal or ginger
soy sauce to taste
(1 small chilli if you like it spicy)

Heat the oven to 180 degrees.  Peel and chop the onion.  Peel and chop the squash into largish pieces, discarding the seeds.  Disolve the stock in the hot water.  Mix all the ingredients apart from the soy in a large casserole dish with a lid.

Bake in the oven for around 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring every half an hour or so.  The squash will fall apart to create a thick rich gravy and the meat should be completely tender (when you check it, take a piece out and leave for a couple of minutes to rest before tasting).  Add soy to taste and serve in bowls with basmati or thai fragrant rice.

This is a rich and fragrant stew with a good gravy.  The star anise and coconut flavours wafting from the oven while it cooks ensure that everyone is starving by the time it emerges.  I made this tonight (without the chilli) and the toddler had triple helpings.  Definitely worth the grappling with a raw Kuri.

Posted in Beef, Chilli, Coconut milk, Galangal, Ginger, Kuri Squash, Lamb, Onion, Organic Box, Star anise, Toddler, Weaning | No Comments »