Mie Goreng - Indonesian Fried Noodles

Serves 6

• 3 (3 ounce) packages noodles (without flavor packets)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into strips
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 pinch ground black pepper, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup chopped shallots
• 5 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 cup shredded cabbage
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup sweet soy sauce (Indonesian kecap manis)
• 1/4 cup oyster sauce
• salt and pepper to taste

1. Bring a pan of water to a boil, and cook the noodles until tender, about 3 minutes. Plunge the noodles into cold water to stop the cooking, drain in a colander set in the sink, and drizzle the noodles with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Set aside.
2. Place the chicken strips in a bowl, and toss with olive oil, garlic salt, and black pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a wok over high heat, and cook and stir the chicken until it is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Stir in the shallots and garlic, and cook and stir until they start to turn brown. Add the cabbage, carrots, broccoli, and mushrooms, and cook and stir until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the ramen noodles, soy sauce, sweet soy sauce, and oyster sauce, mixing the noodles and sauces into the vegetables and chicken. Bring the mixture to a simmer, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and serve hot.

Thai Massaman Chicken Curry

Serves 3-4 ( with rice)

• 1/2 to 1 pound chicken pieces OR chopped chicken breast/thigh
• 1-2 medium potatoes, cut into chunks
• 1 14 ounce (400 ml) can coconut milk (not lite)
• 1 small red pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 medium tomato, sliced
• 2 Tbsp. coconut oil OR vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup onion, sliced
• 1 thumb-piece ginger, grated
• 4-5 cloves garlic
• 1 red chili, sliced, OR 1/2 to 3/4 tsp. chili flakes/cayenne pepper
• 1/2 cup good-tasting chicken stock
• 1 stalk lemongrass, minced, OR 2-3 Tbsp. frozen/bottled prepared lemongrass
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 tsp. turmeric
• 1/4 cup chopped unsalted dry-roasted cashews (+ handful more to finish)
• 1 tsp. ground coriander
• 1 tsp. whole cumin seed
• 1/2 tsp. white pepper
• 1/8 tsp. cardamon
• 1 tsp. tamarind, or substitute 1 Tbsp. lime juice*
• 3/4 tsp. shrimp paste (available by the jar at Asian stores)
• 2 Tbsp. fish sauce
• 1 Tbsp. palm sugar OR brown sugar

1. Heat a wok, large frying pan, or soup-type pot over medium-high heat. Drizzle in the oil and swirl around, then add the onion, ginger, garlic, and chili. Stir-fry 1-2 minutes to release the fragrance.
2. Add the stock plus the following: lemongrass, bay leaves, turmeric, chopped cashews, ground coriander, whole cumin seed, white pepper, cardamon, tamarind (or lime juice), shrimp paste, fish sauce, and sugar. Stir with each addition and bring to a light boil.
3. Add the chicken, stirring to coat with the spicy liquid, then add the coconut milk and potatoes. Stir and bring back up to a boil. Reduce heat to low, or just until you get a good simmer.
4. Simmer 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken and potatoes are tender. Add red pepper and tomato during last 10-15 minutes of coooking time. Tip: if you prefer a more liquid curry sauce, cover while simmering. If you prefer a thicker curry sauce, leave off lid.
5. Taste-test the curry, adding more fish sauce for increased flavor/saltiness, or more chili if you want it spicier. If too sour, add a little more sugar. If too salty or sweet for your taste, add a touch more tamarind or lime juice. If too spicy, add more coconut milk.
6. Add a handful more cashews and fold in. Transfer to a serving bowl, or plate up on individual plates or bowls. Top with fresh coriander, if desired, and serve with Thai jasmine rice. ENJOY!

Cottage Cheese, Mushroom, Chilli and Garlic Pasta

• 500g spiral pasta
• 300g cottage cheese (preferably creamed variety)
• 1 can sliced mushrooms (400g)
• 2 green chillies (sweet or hot depending on taste)
• 1/2 cup of olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 bunch parsley
• salt and pepper

1. Cook pasta and drain.
2. In a large saucepan heat oil.
3. Add garlic and chillies.
4. Pour in the mushrooms.
5. Add cottage cheese.
6. Stir well so all ingredients are combined evenly.
7. Add salt and pepper if desired.
8. Place pasta over ingredients and stir through.
9. Garnish with chopped parsley