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.   

New Releases for Melange Books and Satin Romance

A Penny For Your Thoughts

by Roy Dimond & Jeff Leitch

“What a wonderful life I’ve had! I only wish I’d realized it sooner.”
~ Colette

Ever wonder why another seems happy and content while you struggle? Do you find yourself so heavy with dread that at the end of the day you are exhausted and frustrated? Perhaps you feel you should be happier than you are, but lack the energy to become the person you want to be.

Then curl up in your favorite reading spot and take a trip of magical realism. Travel through the eyes of a teacher who is searching for possibly the very thing that you are missing. This is the journey to happiness that every man and woman deserves. A hero’s journey from shadow to substance; a quest to find your spirit.

Meander with the unique characters, the inspirational dog, Lab, the patient Ferryman, the surprising Mentor, the all-knowing Gate Keeper, and of course the wise, Spirit Guide. Take this voyage to, in essence, find yourself.

Genres

 Magical Realism  Self-Help 

Heat Level: 1 flame  Sweet  Love scenes are not consummated, or if the love scenes are

consummated details are not given. 

 Buy  EBOOKS

AMAZON  BARNES & NOBLE KOBO  SMASHWORDS

Raincheck For Love

by Lois Carroll

Widowed Torie Bond reports a man's body near her home. Fraud on the dead man's ranch leads to an archeologist's murder and a break-in at Torie's costume shop. Divorced Police Lieutenant Jack Brewer investigates. A surprising strong attraction between them results.

Curious about the case, Torie helps a friend of the murdered archeologist investigate. Jack is angry with her for the chances she takes. The mystery nearly takes Torie's life, but it brings them new love even though they thought they'd never love again. But work conflicts mean they sometimes must give each other rainchecks for time together.

Then Torie is kidnapped by the murderer. How can Jack save her when the murderer wants her dead and Jack doesn't know where she is?

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Heat Level: A White Satin Romance: Sweet

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AMAZON BARNES & NOBLE KOBO SMASHWORDS

My Easy Homemade Soda Bread.

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

Showcasing: Melange Writing Duo- Ken Hicks and Anne Rothman- Hicks’s - Jane Larson series of mystery/thriller novels.

So I have something really special for you today. The Melange Books, unique writing team of, Anne Rothman- Hicks and Ken Hicks.

So how did it all begin?

Back in 1969, Anne was a graduate at Bryn Mawr College and Ken a student at Haverford College. Their writing partnership began here, when they joined in an independent study class to write a children's book.  

Anne and Ken married in 1971 and in addition to bringing up three children, together have written about twenty books:

 Theft of the Shroud, a novel; Starfinder, a non-fiction book about the stars for children; a series of books on individual names for children (for example Michael's Book, Elizabeth's Book, John's Book, Jennifer's Book, David's Book, Amy's Book); and, most recently, Kate and the Kid, Praise Her, Praise Diana, Mind Me, Milady, and Weave A Murderous Web, (four adult novels in all), two middle reader/tween novels, Things Are Not What They Seem and Remembering Thomas; and a series for young readers, Stone Faces, Brownstone Faces, and Splotch.

In 2016, Melange Books published the first in the Jane Larson series of mystery/thriller novels: Praise Her, Praise Diana. Since then, they have gone on to write two more:  Mind Me, Milady and Weave a Murderous Web.

Their latest novel in the Jane Larson series, Killer Soulmate, will be released by Melange Books 24/9/2019

Praise Her, Praise Diana  contains adult content

by Anne Rothman-Hicks & Ken Hicks

Call it life imitating art—author Maggie Edwards publishes a chapter of a book detailing seduction, murder and castration by a protagonist named Diana, and suddenly a woman code-named Diana begins to mimic her actions in real time. Women who have been abused find Diana to be an inspirational figure, and begin to fight back in her name. Soon violence erupting throughout New York City threatens to spiral out of control. As the police try desperately to identify Diana, Maggie's high-powered lawyer, Jane Larson, finds herself at the center of an investigation that threatens to upend the entire world around her.

Genres: Contemporary  Thriller

Heat Level: 3 flames

Boiling  Sensual, yet more explicit love scenes, and the language may be more graphic and direct.

BUY EBOOKS 

Amazon Kindle 

Smashwords 

Nook

Weave a Murderous Web

by Anne Rothman-Hicks & Ken Hicks

No good deed goes unpunished. When Jane Larson—a hot-shot litigator for a large firm in New York City—helps out a friend, she is sucked into the unfamiliar world of divorce and child support.

Jane's discovery of the deadbeat dad’s hidden assets soon unravels a web of lies, drugs, and murder that keeps getting more dangerous.

Soon, Jane is involved in a high stakes race to recover a missing suitcase of cash and catch the murderer before she becomes the next victim.

Genres

Mystery Thriller

Heat Level: 3 flames

Boiling  Sensual, yet more explicit love scenes, and the language may be more graphic and direct.

BUY EBOOKS

Amazon Kindle 

Smashwords 

Nook

Mind Me, Milady

by Anne Rothman-Hicks & Ken Hicks

Jane Larson is an attorney on the Upper East Side of New York City, and the Gentleman Rapist has chosen her to receive his calls announcing each conquest. He also reminds her in chilling terms that he will one day twist his wire around her throat and bend her to his will.

Jane has professional and personal problems of her own, but she is forced to try to catch this monster when he stalks her newest client. Susan is a sweet young woman who cannot remember large time periods of her past and who has dreams about a prior life in which she was raped. Soon, the Gentleman escalates to murder, and Jane wonders if he was involved in Susan’s forgotten past, or if Susan is simply a means to get to Jane. Either way, Jane is caught in the deadly game of stopping the Gentleman before another woman feels the wire at her throat and hears his sinister whisper to Mind Me, Milad.

Genres

Mystery Thriller

Heat Level: 3 flames

Boiling  Sensual, yet more explicit love scenes, and the language may be more graphic and direct.

BUY EBOOKS

Amazon Kindle 

Smashwords 

iBooks

Follow Anne and Ken Hicks

Website: http://www.randh71productions.com/page1.php

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/pages/Kenneth-Hicks-and-Anne-Rothman-Hicks/622272714477979

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 😍