My Vegetarian Shepheard’s Pie

My Vegetarian Shepheard’s Pie is as good as the original. Nuterla soya granules and vegetables, spiced with meat masala, topped with spinach and chilli mashed potatoes. If you are not in India, you can substitute the soya granules for 2 cups of frozen soya mince and omit the steps 2.3 & 4.

For meat eaters: use 2 cups of fresh mince beef or minced chicken.

My Vegetarian Shepheard’s Pie Serves 4

You will need: 

500g potatoes    1tsp turmeric    salt    1 cup soya mince granules   3 cups water   1 onion chopped   1/2tsp garlic and ginger paste   1 ½ cups veg stock   1tsp meat masala    150g chopped carrot   1 green pepper chopped    50g sweetcorn    100g mushrooms sliced   100g pumpkin chopped    300g tomatoes skinned and chopped   1tbsp Worcester sauce   1/2tbsp soy sauce 1tbsp oil    1 onion chopped green chilli to taste   1tsp mustard seeds   100g spinach washed and chopped salt and pepper

Add salt and turmeric to a pan of water and boil the potatoes.

Add 3 cups of water to soya granules and bring to the boil. Boil for 2-3 minutes.

Drain the soya granules well.

Dry fry the soya, until all the water has evaporated.

In a pan, heat 1 tbsp. oil and fry the onion, garlic and ginger paste for 2-3 minutes.

Add the meat masala and 2tbsps of water to make a paste. Fry for a few minutes.

Add the soya mince.

Add all of the vegetables except for the potatoes and spinach.

Add tomatoes

Add stock

Add Worcester and soy sauce.

Bring to the boil, then cover and simmer while you prepare the mashed potatoes.

Mash the potatoes until smooth.

Heat ½ tbsp. oil in a pan and fry the onion, chilli and mustard seeds.

Add the spinach and fry until wilted. Season with salt and pepper.

Mix the spinach mixture into the mashed potatoes.

Transfer the soya mince mixture to an ovenproof dish.

Top with the mashed potatoes.

Cook in oven 200c/400f/gas 6 for 30-35 minutes or until the potatoes are browned.

Serve with spring greens or any cabbage.

Follow the video to make this yummy veggie Shepheard’s Pie

My chicken sausage biryani -serves 2

Vegetables and rice cooked together makes a quick and easy one pot meal. Great for lunch, supper, even cold for our picnic lunch on the beach.

1 1/2tbsp oil. 1tsp mustard seeds. 1onion chopped. 1 fresh green chilli sliced (or to taste). 8 cloves. Cinnamon stick. 4 green cardamom pods. 1tsp turmeric. 2tsp garam masala. 1/2 TSP ginger and garlic paste. 2tbsp water. 1cup basmati rice. 300g chopped vegetables. 600ml chicken stock. 4 venkys sausages sliced. Chopped fresh coriander to garnish

1. Heat oil, fry the mustard seeds until they pop.
2. Add onion and chili. Fry 2-3 minutes.
3. Add all the spices and garlic and ginger paste plus 2tbsp water make into a paste. Fry 2-3 minutes
4. Add rice. Fry for 2-3 minutes.
5. Add vegetables and stock. Season with salt. Bring to the boil. Cover, reduce the heat and simmer until all the liquid has absorbed.
5. Fry or grill sausages.
6. When rice is cooked, remove cinnamon stick.
7. Pile rice onto a plate, top with the sausages and garnish with fresh coriander.

Newly opened- Goan Tiger Restaurant and Bar – Candolim Goa.

I am pleased to inform you all, that Sheryl and Francis the previous owners of Tiger Bar, Candolim have now opened a new garden restaurant. Their new place is called GOAN TIGER. Located after Highland Holiday Resort, Candolim. Next to Flambé Restaurant.

Open now all day for: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Serving Indian, Goan, Chinese and continental.

Seriously! When your husband wakes you at 1am and there is a cyclone in Goa.

At 1 am this morning, hubby woke me.
"Jo, we need to get the lounge terrace blinds down."
Seriously! I was having a really.... nice dream about Michael Bennett a fictional detective I was reading before going to sleep. "Seriously?"
"Yes, seriously."
Shuffling into the lounge, hubby fetched the ladders.
"Seriously, there's a frigging cyclone out there and you afraid of heights, want to get on a ladder two floors up in a cyclone?"
Holding the ladder, the rain thrashing down and the wind so strong I thought it would take the blinds and hubby.
As 16 feet of blinds fell to the floor in a heap, hubby disembarked from the ladders.
"Seriously?" I said, as he went back inside to close the doors. "You’re just leaving them here?"
"Jo there's a frigging cyclone. Are you happy now, the blinds are down? Go back to bed."
SERIOUSLY! 

My Spanish Style Rice Chicken

Not just a recipe for this yummy, chicken dish. You also get a video of me cooking it!

Spanish Rice Chicken Serves 2

2 boneless chicken breasts       salt and pepper      1tbsp olive oil      1 onion sliced    

 ½ medium red pepper cut into strips      2 cloves of garlic chopped    

 300g tomatoes, skinned and quartered       1 cup chicken stock       1 bay leaf      

salt & pepper          75g rice            70g sweetcorn      70g green beans     

50g sliced olives      Basil to garnish

1.       Cut the chick into strips and season well with salt and pepper.

2.       Heat the oil. Fry the chicken for 3 mins. Set aside.

3.       Add the onion and the red peppers, fry for 3 mins.

4.       Add the garlic, fry for 2 mins.

5.       Add the tomatoes, bay leaf and stock. Bring to the boil.

6.       Add the rice. Season with salt and pepper.

7.       Bring to the boil, then lower heat and cover. Cook for 10 minutes.

8.       Add the chicken. Cover and cook for 10 mins.

9.       Add the sweetcorn and green beans.

10.   Bring back to the boil, and then lower the heat. Cover and cook for 5-10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked and the green beans are tender.

11.   Remove bay leaf. Stir in the olives and then served garnished with basil.

MY Slow Cooked Vegetable Loaf

I love this easy to make loaf. Great for a healthy lunch served with salad. Keeps well for a Picnic, or served like a pate with hot buttered rolls for supper.

Vegetable Loaf

250g diced vegetables (I used Cauliflower broken into tiny florets. Carrots, green beans,

Sweetcorn)     40g butter    2tsp brown sugar    Salt and pepper   300ml vegetable stock 

100g mushrooms sliced     1 small onion finely chopped    1tbsp fresh chopped parsley

2 tbsp fresh chopped dill          3eggs             25g grated cheddar cheese

1. Cook the vegetables in 25g of the butter, until they just start to brown.

2. Sprinkle over the sugar, salt and pepper, then add the vegetable stock. Cook gently until the vegetables are tender and all the stock has evaporated.

3. Transfer vegetables to a bowl.

4. Heat the remaining butter and fry the mushrooms and onions until soft. Stir in the parsley and dill.

5. Beat the eggs and then stir into the vegetables, along with the mushrooms and onions. Stir in the cheese.

6. Line a loaf tin with greaseproof paper. Spoon in the mixture. Cover with foil. Put into a slow cooker, on top of an inverted saucer or side plate. Add enough boiling water to come half way up the tin.  Cook on high for 2 hours. The loaf should be firm to touch.

7. Take out if slow cooker and cool for a while then remove from tin and remove greaseproof paper. Put on a plate and put in fridge until needed.

Lunchtime review of Great-E-Punjab Fort Aguda Road Calangute Goa

Great-E-Punjab is a recently opened restaurant, near Jambhleshwar Temple, Fort Aguda Road Calangute. Menu offers veg, non veg, Punjab, South Indian, tandoori and seafood. Service was okay, staff seemed pleasant and surroundings, clean and tidy.

What we ordered

Veg Kofta Masala, Mixed Veg Masala and Veg Biryani.

Veg Kofta Masala-Rupees 170/£1:94/€2.19/₽155.20/$2.40 2 medium sized koftas

lightly browned on the outside, but oh my! So light and fluffy on the inside, they just melted in your mouth. Then the gravy sauce. Tiny shards of garlic that just gave an extra something to the masala gravy.

Mixed Veg Masala- Rupees 170/£1:94/€2.19/₽155.20/$2.40 Plenty of vegetables and paneer in a medium, spicy gravy.

Veg Biryani- Rupees 120/£1:37/€1.54/₽109.55/$1.69 more often than not, restaurants use cheap rice, that personally I find to stodgy and sticky for my palate. This was not the case today due to basmati rice being used for a lighter taste. I loved the addition of star anise and cinnamon sticks. Something I always add to my own biryani when cooking at home.

TOTAL SCORES

Staff and ambience: 2.5/5

Food: 5/5  4/5  4/5

Overall score 3:9 Red Hot Chilies Certainly worth a revisit.

My Slow Cooked Coriander Chicken with Cumin and Cardamom Bread Sauce

We customarily have Coriander Chicken for our Christmas Day dinner. However, every so often it makes a welcome change for Sunday dinner. Chicken legs, in a coconut gravy, with lots of fresh coriander and fresh green chillies. Yummy. This Sunday, I tested out a new idea, bread sauce infused with cumin and coriander. Winner, winner to my chicken dinner!

Chicken from Azavedo Farms Candolim Goa Opp Candolim veg market.

Because Azavedo  Farms chicken breasts are so big, there was enough on each leg for Mr R and I to have cold chicken and bread sauce cobs for tea. Spreading the bottom of the cob with horseradish sauce, then spread on the cold bread sauce. Top with chicken and then spread the top of the cob with cranberry sauce. Mummmmm….

Coriander Chicken Serves 2

(Remember just double the amounts for 4)

1 ½ tbsp. sunflower or Vegetable oil       2 large chicken legs      20g fresh coriander leaves

 1-1 ½ large fresh green chillies, deseeded and chopped      1 large onion thinly sliced

3 cloves of garlic chopped      1 tsp turmeric      3/4tsp ground cumin      ¾ tsp ground

 coriander    75ml chicken stock (This can be boiling water with a stock chicken stock

 cube)      150ml coconut milk      1/2tsp salt      Fresh coriander to garnish.

1.       Heat 1 tbsp. of the oil in a frying pan and brown the chicken legs on both sides. While the chicken legs are browning, place the coriander and the green chillies into a processor or blender and blitz until it makes a paste.   Remove chicken and put into slow cooker.  In the same pan, heat the remaining oil and fry the onions over a medium heat until they are soft but not brown.

2.       Stir in the garlic, turmeric, cumin and coriander, stirring for 2-3 mins.  Reduce the heat to very low and add the coriander paste, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes.

3.       Add the stock, coconut milk and salt and bring to the boil. Then pour over the chicken legs.

4.       Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 1/2 – 5 hours. Or until the juices of run clear when skewered.

5.       Transfer to plate, cover with a little of the gravy sauce and sprinkle with coriander. Put the remaining gravy sauce into a gravy boat.

NOTE IF YOU WANT YOU CAN DO THIS ON THE OVEN TOP IN A HEAVY BASED PAN. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS, INSTEAD OF PUTTING CHCIKEN IN SLOW COOKER ON STEP 1 JUST LEAVE TO ONE SIDE. CARRY ON UNTIL STEP 4 AND INSTEAD, ADD THE CHCIKEN, COVER AND SIMMER FOR 50 MINS.  CAREFULLY TURNING THE CHCIKEN OCASSIONALLY.  

Cumin, cardamom Bread sauce. Serves 2

1 large onion peeled      4 cloves      1 bay leaf      3 peppercorns     3 cardamom pods      

2 tsp cumin seeds       ½ pint milk      2 slices medium sliced bread broken up into bits

     20g butter       salt and freshly ground pepper

1.       Stud the onion with the cloves then place into a milk saucepan with, bay leaf, peppercorns, cardamom pods and cumin. Bring to the boil then remove the pan. Leave on the side for 5-10 minutes longer if you wish a more intense flavour.

2.       Remove the onion, bay leaf, peppercorns and cardamom pods. Mix in the bread bits.

3.       Return the pan to the heat and cook gently stirring so the bread is absorbed into the milk and it becomes quite thick. But don’t let it stick to the bottom of the pan.

4.       Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and then season to taste.   

My Easy Homemade Soda Bread.

There is nothing I love more than freshly baked, homemade bread. But making your own bread can be time consuming. That’s why most days I make soda bread. It’s easy to make, quick and darn right yummy.

For special occasions, I add dried fruit and or nuts. Mixed herbs and/ or, sundried tomatoes and olives.

If you want the bread to be dairy free, you can substitute the milk with soy or almond milk.

Easy Homemade Soda Bread

Makes 1 loaf

350g plain flour      1 teaspoon salt      1 teaspoon baking

Soda (bicarbonate of soda)      300 ml milk     

1       tablespoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar

1.     Preheat your oven to 220C / 200C fan / gas mark 7 / 425F. Dust a baking tray with a little plain flour.

2.     Put the measured milk into a bowl or cup and then add the lemon juice or vinegar and stir into the milk to make it curdle.

3.     In a mixing bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together thoroughly. Add the soured milk, and stir to combine.

4.     Keep stirring until the ingredients come together as a dough, then knead together to form a ball.

5.     Place the ball of dough on the baking tray and cut a deep cross in the centre. This helps the centre of the bread to cook properly.

6.     Cook for around 30 minutes until golden brown. Tapping the bottom, you should hear a hollow sound, this means the bread is cooked.

Valerie Travels- Where you can indulge yourself in the wonderful heritage of India.

Planning or would love to travel to India?

Then look no further. Valerie Travels, has been organising trips and tours around India since 2000.  Valerie Travels offer trips and tour packages with a private guide and private car, to: Taj Mahal, Golden Triangle, Pink city Jaipur, Golden Temple, Jodpur, Udaipur, Shimla, Mumbai and Goa.

Golden Triangle 3 nts, 4 days Package Tour

This tour can be done for 3 nights 4 or 4 nights 5 days or 6 nights 7 days. It will include a private guide and a private car.

First choice for all travellers, relevantly called “Golden Triangle”, consists three most beautiful and charming places of India - Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.

This tour takes you sightseeing of New and Old Delhi, Agra, Early Morning Visit the magnificent Taj Mahal - one of the Seven Wonders of the World surely the most extravagant expression of love ever created. 20,000 men laboured for over 17 years to build this memorial to Shah Jahan's beloved wife.

Visit to the Red Fort - the rusty and majestic red-sandstone fort of Agra stands on the banks of the river Yamuna. (If time Permits)

Then to the Pink City of India. Sightseeing to Amber - the old capital of Jaipur rulers. Sightseeing tour of Jaipur including Maharaja's Museum and Jai Singh's Astronomical Observatory and Hawa Mahal.

Varanasi & Ganga Package Tour

North India

This tour can be done for 2 nights 3 days or 3 nights 4 days. It will include a private guide and a private car.

Being a picturesque city, Varanasi is thronged by numerous tourists every year. This city of India is also known as one of the popular tourist destinations that boost tourism in India. 

The city is famous for its rich culture that is carried on since centuries and followed by generations. Get a whole new feeling and ultimate touring experience by taking a trip to Varanasi & Ganga.

Golden Temple, Amritsar & Wagah Border 2 nts, 3 days Package Tour

North India

This tour can be done for 2 nights 3 days or 3 nights 4 days. It will include a private guide and a private car.

This tour will take you across Sightseeing of Jalianwala bagh and Wagah Border (Changing of Guard ceremony). Later half, Sightseeing of the Golden temple of Amritsar.

Udaipur & Jodhpur/ Jaipur 4 nts, 5 days Package Tour

North India

This tour will include a private guide and a private car.

When it comes to architecture and sightseeing, Jodhpur and Udaipur are equal in awesomeness. If you were planning to club Jodhpur and Udaipur in the same trip, this would be an interesting itinerary for you. The itinerary covers Jodhpur and Udaipur in four nights and five days. The trip starts and ends in Udaipur and allocated two days in Udaipur and Jodhpur, each.

Chandigarh, Shimla, Manali 5 nts, 6 days Package Tour

North India

This tour will include a private guide and a private car.

This tour can also be clubbed with Agra, Delhi or Amritsar as per your choice

At approximately 380kms from Delhi, the easy journey to Shimla can be accomplished in less than 6 hours. Although one can take up road to reach Shimla, the ‘Toy Train’ journey from Kalka can be an exotic voyage. The train passes through number of incredible tunnels and bridges before finally completing its 96kms run.

Manali beckons adventure, the constricted sheet of thrill swathes almost everything that exists here. A premier skiing destination of India, this splendid hill station is located approximately 39kms away from Kullu. The lavish green meadows, snow-clad mountains, gentle winds and quaint settlements mark the benign beauty of Manali.

Ranthanboore Tiger Safari 3 nts, 4 days Package Tour

North India

This tour can also be done either 2 nts, 3 days or 3 nts, 4 days or it can either be clubbed with Golden Triangle or Taj package

Ranthambore National Park is a vast wildlife reserve near the town of Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan, northern India. It is a former royal hunting ground and home to tigers, leopards and marsh crocodiles. Its landmarks include the imposing 10th-century Ranthambore Fort, on a hilltop, and the Ganesh Mandir temple. Also in the park, Padam Talao Lake is known for its abundance of water lilies.

Ranthambore National Park has a combination of dry tropical forests, rocky terrain, lakes, streams, and grassy meadows, with more than 539 flowering plant species.

Ajanta Ellora Caves 5 nts 6 days Package tour

Mumbai Tour

The Ajanta Caves are 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra state of India.

This tour will be by car and will take you to an Evening Visit to the 5 Star Taj Heritage Property for a High Tea or Dinner... at your cost, City Tour of Mumbai + Dharavi Slum Tour, than to Aurangabad to the caves.

Mumbai 2 nt, 3 days package tour with slum, Dhobi Ghat & evening tea at Taj

Mumbai Tour

This tour can be done 1 night 2 days or 2 nights 3 days. It will include a private guide and a private car.

Mumbai (formerly called Bombay) is a densely populated city on India’s west coast. A financial centre, it's India's largest city. On the Mumbai Harbour waterfront stands the iconic Gateway of India stone arch, built by the British Raj in 1924. Offshore, nearby Elephanta Island holds ancient cave temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The city's also famous as the heart of the Bollywood film industry.

In this tour we will take you across Gateway of India, Chor bazaar· Victoria Terminal,  Hanging garden, Dhobi Ghat, High Court, Mani Bhavan. (*entry fee applicable), Prince of Wales Museum. (*entry fee applicable), Mumbai University, Marine Drive.  Evening Visit to the 5 Star Taj Heritage Property for a High Tea or Dinner... (At your own cost) And next day Dharavi Slum Tour... 

Elephanta caves or Bollywood tour is extra cost.

Dudhsagar Waterfall Trip & Spice Farm Goa

Goa day trips

Dudhsagar Falls literally translates to “sea of milk” owing to its milky white colour. Amidst the Mollem National Park or rather the Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary you will find the majestic and stunningly flowing Dudhsagar Falls. A spectacular view of the Mandovi River spouting down from the steep side of the mountain from over 1017 feet.

The Jeep will take you to the bottom of Dudhsagar waterfalls site through the famous Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary in South Goa, there you can swim and only play & love the elephants, there are monkey also around which you can treat.

Crocodile Trip (2hrs Trip)

Goa day trips

Cruising along the back waters of the Zuari River. A chance to see some of Goa’s exotic bird life as well as the Indian Mugger Crocodile which lurks along the river banks. 

The Cumbarjua canal near Panaji that links the Zuari and Mandovi rivers is a thriving place for mugger crocodiles. Crocodile watching in Goa is a unique experience. The carnivore is spotted in the dense mangrove of Cumbarjua. 

Crocodile watching in Goa is something you are sure to remember with great delight for a long time to come. Our Cruise - Boats have all Modern Amenities which includes Modern Toilet and Life Safety Equipment’s.

Bangalore Mysore 3 nts, 4 days Package Tour

South India

This tour is for 5 nights 6 days or 3 nights 4 days & it will include a private guide and a private car.

‍5N/6D : 2N MYSORE / 2N OOTY / 1N BANGALORE
WE will take you across Srirangapatna (Dariya Daulat Bagh, Gumbaz, Tippu Fort and Temple) and Bird Sanctuary, Evening to Maharaja Palace and Brindavan Garden, Chamundi Hill, Big Bull, St.Philomina’s Church, Jagan Mohan Palace and Mysore Zoo & Mysore Palace tour to see the Palace lit up. (All in Mysore)

Than to proceed to visit Ooty Lake, Rose Garden and Botanical Garden. Coonoor by train from Ooty to Coonoor Sight Seeing (Sim’s Park, Lam’s Rock, Dolphin Nose, Tea Factory and Tea Gardens) and Doddabetta Peak. Then to Vidhanasaudha and ISKON Temple, Lalbagh, Museum and Cubbon Park in Bangalore.

Contact:

To check for the best deals for a trip or to enquire for a detailed itinerary contact me, Valerie:
Call: +91 76288 96491
Email: valerierodrigues76@yahoo.com

Website:  https://www.valerietravelsgoa.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pg/Valerie-Travels-Goa-And-India-Tours-And-Packages-2068402310096313/posts/

Lunchtime Review – Husna Dine family restaurant Panjim Goa

MR R and I have frequently passed Husna Dine. Obviously a popular place, as always seeing people coming and going. So it will come as no surprise, Husna Dine has been on my- to review list, for some time.

Husna Dine, is a small, simple restaurant, but I always say, I’m not bothered about plush surroundings as long as the food is good. And it was.

Upstairs, there is an air conditioned section.

The menus covers a wide selection: Indian Chicken, Mutton, North Indian, Seafood, Goan South Indian, Tandoori and snacks. All reasonable priced.

What we ordered:

Veg Diwani Handi, Bhendi Masala, Rice and 2 Roti

Veg Diwani Handi Rupees 160/£1.85/$2.59/€2.33

Oh my goodness, this was a never ending bowl of sheer delight. A rich creamy curry made with cashew paste, onions, tomatoes and cream. A sweet and mild taste.

Bhendi Masala Rupees 160/£1.85/$2.59/€2.33

Boy this was darn good. The tangy gravy lifted sweetness of the okra

Rice Rupees 40/£0.46/$0.56/€0.50

Roti Rupees 15/£0. 17/$0.21/€019 Great rotis.

Ample size portions for two and value for money.

THE SCORES:

FIRST IMPRESSIONS 3/5 

STAFF SERVICE 5/5

HYGIENE 3.5/5 I only give this score as the restaurant was a worn, almost certainly from the amount of customers passing through. But as far as food wise, i.e. cutlery, food and staff I found no issues.    

FOOD 5/5 5/5  

OVERALL SCORE 4.2 Red Hot chillies 

Would I go again? Oh yes, now on my places to eat in Panjim list.

Husna Dine family restaurant

EL-Dorado Plaza

Municipality Market

Panjim

Goa

Apologies for a typo on my last blog.

I have to apologise for making an error on the recipe for my Homemade Chapatis.

It should be 125g grams of flour.

This has now been rectified

Sorry for any inconvenience.

                   Jo 😍 

Jo's Poached Chicken Breast with Okra and Tomato Stew Served with Homemade Chapatis

JO’S Poached Chicken Breast with Okra and Tomato Stew Served with Homemade Chapatis

Serves 2

This is a great, healthy mid-week meal, and great favourite in the Rawson house.

Poached chicken breast, smothered in a medium spicy, tomato and coconut gravy. Served with homemade Chapatis to mop up that beautiful gravy

1.     Cook two chicken breast in water, in a slow cooker for 3 hours on low.

2.     Forty minutes before chicken is ready, make the Chapatis as they need to rest. (see recipe at the end)

3.     While proving make the okra and tomato stew as follows:                   

Okra and Tomato Stew

1tsp olive oil      1/2Tsp black mustard seeds      1/2Tsp cumin seeds

1 onion thinly sliced      1 green chilli deseeded and finely chopped      1Tsp garlic and ginger paste      200g chopped okra      good pinch of salt         1/4Tsp Turmeric powder      3Tsp coriander powder     

1/4-1/2Tsp Kashmiri paprika      250g chopped fresh tomatoes      1/2Tbsp tomato puree      Another good pinch of salt      ¼ Cup water    2Tbsp coconut milk powder     1/2 cup of water

                 

1.     Heat the oil over a medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the mustard and cumin seeds until they start to pop.

2.     Add the onion, chilli, garlic and ginger paste. (Take care when adding the paste, sometimes it spits back.) Fry until the onions are translucent.

3.     Add the okra and a pinch of salt. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally checking that the heat is not too high. You can now start rolling out your Chapatis.

4.     Add the spices, tomatoes, salt and water and stir gently. Then add the coconut powder and remaining water. Stir gently, cover and cook for another 5 minutes.  Or until the tomatoes are soft and sauce thickened. Cook the Chapatis.

5.     Take the chicken out of the slow cooker, place on plate and smother with the okra and tomato. Serve with my homemade Chapatis.  

Homemade Chapatis  

Serves 2

125g plain flour      1/2Tsp salt      100ml water      oil for greasing

1.     Place the flour and salt in a bowl and make a well in the centre. Gradually add the water. A little at a time, and mix to form a soft supple dough.

2.     Knead the dough on a lightly floured work surface for 10 minutes and then cover the dough and leave in a cool place for 30 minutes.

3.     Knead again and then divide into four pieces.

4.     Roll out each piece of dough, with a Rolling pin on a lightly floured work surface. You want them reasonably thin, otherwise they will not puff up.

5.     Grease a heavy based frying pan (or griddle) with a little oil over a moderate heat. Add one chapati at a time, pressing down firmly with a fish slice. You will see the dough start to blister and puff up. Turn and repeat on the other side. Place inside a clean tea towel to keep warm and soft. Repeat with all the other pieces of dough.

IF YOU WANT TO BE NAUGHTY! THEN BRUSH EACH CHAPATI WITH MELTED BUTTER/ OR GARLIC BUTTER, BEFORE SERVING.