Chicken recipe

Before I got married, I had very limited skills in cooking. While I was jobless after graduation, I liked to try out new recipes from cook books and magazines. As I was still in the process of experimenting and hadn't really got hang of the skills, most of the dishes didn't turn out to be good, tho they were edible. My dad will praise me no matter what, just to get me going. Haha..

After being married, while hubby and I were living separately still, I only cooked during the weekends when he was around. I was more adventurous at that time and usually will invite my brother and SIL, and at times my cousins to taste my cookings. Macam la sedap sangat kan. But hey! At least I made an effort, so I should get an "A" for the effort, don't you think so?

Ever since being a SAHM, I've been polishing my skills more and more as my husband is the type who don't like to eat out that much neither will he eats yesterday's dishes even though it's still in good condition. At first I find it quite tiresome as I had to cook every single day without fail, contrary to my family's 'tradition' where we don't mind eating outside and only eat home-cook meals like 2-3 times a week. And having a clingy son doesn't make it any easier, as he'll be crying his lung out whenever I start doing my thing in the kitchen. Thus I either have to carry him in my MT, or wait until he's asleep before I start cooking.

Now after so much practice, I would say that there are some dishes that I can cook quite well though there's still room for improvement. These are the dishes which I dare let my MIL taste. Haha.

One of them that I'd like to share here is Ayam Masak Merah (Red/Spicy Chicken). I don't use lots of special ingredients and herbs as some people do as time is limited for me, so this is a very simple dish that can be done in less than 1/2 an hour. It's delicious nevertheless, so if you don't mind simple ingredients and the not-so-pretty look, then you can try out my recipe:


The Ingredients :
- Half a chicken (About 7-8 pieces) ~ cleaned
- Blended ingredients:
1-2 medium sized onion
Garlic
Ginger
7-10 pieces of red chilies ~ most of the time I just use 2 containers of chilie paste I got from the store
- Sliced tomato
- 3/4 can of Tomato puree (or to taste)
- Coconut milk (Santan)
-1-2 cups of water
- Salt to taste
- Pandan leave to add nice aroma to the dish
- Cooking Oil

Add ons :
- Rounded sliced onion
- Green peas
- Green chilies

Method :
1. Fry the chicken for just a little while. Set aside.
2. Heat oil and add in the blended ingredients and pandan leaves. Fry till fragrant.
3. Add in tomato puree and sliced tomato. Stir well.
4. Pour in coconut milk and let it simmer.
5. Add in some water but not too much. Let it cook for a while.
6. Add salt to taste.
7. Add in the chicken and wait until it's cook.
8. Add in the add-ons ingredients if you like.

And voila! It's ready to be served, either with plain rice or tomato rice. And fret not! You can serve it to your MIL, she'll definitely be impressed. At least mine was. Haha.

P/S : Omigawd! I do sound like a domestic goddess, don't I? kweng kweng kweng