The Wicked Deviled Egg

'Wicked in Waiting'
Photo by: stephendepolo

You started off as the epitome of a good egg; hard boiled, firm and strong. Then you split in two showing your true inner self. You mixed company with your crumbled yellow yolk and it was not good company. You let the red onion overly influence you with its feisty, mean ways and the garlic permeated you through and through. On the outside you looked creamy, delicious; dare I say, even angelic. You sat there with your smooth texture tempting me to come and taste. I gave in, sinking my teeth into the soft, supple, slick white and my teeth felt like they were gently being set on a cloud as they sunk in the whipped, creamy, yellow middle. My tongue swirled your tasty goodness in my mouth savoring every last ingredient before giving heed to the throat begging for its turn, then I swallowed.

Yes, you satisfied my taste buds, then your wickedness, your duality presented itself deep within me. I could hear your evil cackling laughter down in my gut at your success into duping another fool into your vehement torture. You were no ordinary deviled egg, you were wicked in waiting and you unleashed your true inner self on my digestive system.

I will never trust again.


NOTE: Here's hoping you have better luck with Easter Dinner appetizers than I do. I love deviled eggs but this past experience has caused me to question every one I see; somehow I find my forgiveness for food is blind and I will try these tantalizing amuse-gueules again and again. I just can't seem to stay away, that past batch was bad but I'm not going to let it spoil deviled eggs for me.

What are some of your favorite deviled egg recipes?

Kefir Tiki Masala For The Crockpot

There is a restaurant in Westminster, Colorado that I just can't seem to find a comparison to here in Austin. My sweet in-laws are lucky enough to live quite close to the Jewel of India. Once in a while they'll post on Face book that they dined there which sends my lip into the pouting stance. I sit at the computer yearning for the delectable spices and authentic foods as I jealously post a comment about their dining experience.

A few weeks back I was in a large food rut, I was just getting ready to succumb to another monotonous dinner choice when my sister-in-law, Danette posted they had been to Jewel of India. I just couldn't take it anymore. I had to try to replicate the Tiki Masala the best I could. I was craving that delicious, savory, melt in your mouth sauce.

I rummaged through my fridge and pantry grabbing at what I had and I thought, " Chandra, you've thrown together some doozies before, if this one fails at least you can blame it on the inexperience of cooking a foreign dish and just chalk it up to a learning adventure." That is a big deal for me because if I put effort into any dish and it turns out bad I get a bit perturbed at the wasted time and food. I've got two particular eaters in the house and if they don't like it they won't eat it.

So, instead of scrolling through countless recipes on the Internet or in my cookbooks and since this was a big experiment and the chance it was going in the dogs bowl or worse, the trash, I just winged it.
No measuring utensils needed I just plopped and poured and guessed at it all. Boy was I elated that this flotsam and jetsam concoction turned out so darn good that we ate every last bit; dragging the naan through the sauce on the plate in back and forth patterns to sop every last drop up. I sat there with a very pleased look on my face as I saw three plates of food being eaten with relish. I made everyone happy in the house and did it with a foreign dish that in my judgment is pretty darn hard to replicate. So I have to share the recipe for those fellow Indian food lovers who can't get to Jewel of India.

Photo by: Michael Whays

CHANDRA'S CROCK POT TIKI MASALA
Place 4-6 bone-in, skin on chicken thighs in the crock pot. Salt chicken. (this cut of chicken is necessary as it makes the best broth that blends with the below sauce). Set crock pot to low.

Sauce:
1 16oz. Can of diced tomatoes with garlic and olive oil
1/4 cup Helios kefir with kos (this kefir tastes like sour cream)
1 Tablespoons of Patak's Madras Curry Paste

Put in a food processor and blend till sauce consistency. Pour over chicken in crock pot cover with lid and let cook all day. Just before serving take out chicken, let cool, de-bone and de-skin and place back in sauce to reheat.

Serve with side of brown or white rice and warmed butter naan. (H-E-B brand naan is the best)

Serves 3-4 people.

Maybe we have been so deprived of the excellent tastes of the Jewel of India and have settled with this version to get us by, but it sure turned out great and will be a standby till we can make it back to our favorite Indian restaurant.

Let me know what you think?

Now I just have to get Saag down!

Easter Delight

Photo By: waferboard

Have you ever had a thought or phrase that gives you pure delight every time it traipses across your mental plane? I have been relishing one particular satiating thought since Friday. I was doing the normal routine at home and the delightful thought flashed across my mind and I just had to stop and smile. I was at work and at the most tedious times the thought jumped in the way and made me stop and smile.

OK, I'll let you in on my personal delight. The fact that Jesus cooked breakfast for His disciples during one of His many appearances after his resurrection just makes me giddy.

I'll give a little background as to why this thought entertains me so.
This year, Easter sprung early on me. I've been busy, distracted and to be honest I was half ready to grab a pre-roasted chicken and boil some potatoes flop it on a plate for our Easter Celebration and call it good. My attitude lately about cooking has been dismal. I just can't seem to muster up any of Julia Child's good vibes about food. Going to the grocery store has been the "do I have to do this yet again" chore. People may think I like cooking but I confess I would live off fresh juiced produce and an occasional turkey sandwich if I could; it's simple.

But, John 21:1-14 saved the Holiday food selection for my family this year. It may seem eccentric but it's true.

After reading this wonderful account of Jesus' third appearance to his disciples my attitude changed. "This Holiday is about celebrating Jesus' death, burial and resurrection,"I thought to myself; "and you are going to do what Jesus did."

Jesus' first appearance was to Mary Magdalene (John 20). His first appearance to the group of disciples was not long after Mary's account when they were fearful of the Jews, who were most likely hostile concerning the dilemma of what happened to the physical body of Jesus that was no longer in the tomb. Jesus' presence was not only reassuring but also one of great importance as he gave them the Holy Spirit and encouraged them in the plan the Father had for them (John 20:19-23). The second appearance was to prove to one skeptical doubting Thomas that He was in fact risen and alive. (John 20:24-30) Verse 30 states, "Jesus performed many other miraculous signs but they are not recorded in this book but these are written that you believe." I thought these accounts must have impressed the disciples greatly in order for John to highlight in his writing.

If these two accounts were important to the disciples (as ALL the non-written ones were as well) then the third appearance of Jesus also made an impression on the group. No doubt the conversation between (and about) Peter and the Lord was memorable (John 21:15-25) but why didn't John just talk about this? Why did he mention Jesus making them breakfast?  Then I thought, "Jesus just fulfilled all the Old Testament prophecies concerning who He is, He died a horrendous death, stormed the gates of hell and conquered death and on the third day he came back triumphant and with a glorious new body. He was encouraging the believers, proving he was ALIVE, Ascending and Descending to Heaven. John 21 is a refreshing account of Jesus' fellowship with His beloved "friends". How do we usually like to have a good time with friends and family? WITH FOOD!!!

Did you just read that the way I hope I explained it? Jesus wanted to spend time with the ones that were close to Him the ones He loved and called friends; a time to relax from the work of catching fish, a time to teach and prepare them for their calling and what better way to do that but by cooking a meal; a great catalyst for enjoying kindred spirits. Peter's reaction to seeing Jesus on the shore just makes me love the guy, he jumped out of the boat with his clothes on (making sure to greet the Lord in the proper etiquette) in order to get there as fast as he could.

The coals were hot and some fish and bread were already cooking when they arrived on shore with their fishing net filled to the brim. They contributed the catch the Lord provided in potluck style and proceeded to fellowship.

Preparing a meal has more to it then technique,planning, preparation or presentation. The act of cooking a Holiday meal says, "Please stay awhile, let's talk, let's reminisces, let's talk about what matters."

Reading John 21 reminded me of the simple truth that eating together creates the bonds for a healthy relationship.

SO

Move over pre-roasted grocery store chicken; you're not worthy, you'll have to wait for another day,  make room for Rosemary/Port infused Rack of Lamb with Home made Au gratin Potatoes, Strawberry Vinaigrette Salad and Warm Rolls that melt the butter.  I'm going to celebrate Jesus' Resurrection with an out of this world, hearty meal made by me and shared with others.