Philip (Phil) England

SPICY & FRUITY CHICKEN CURRY I was inspired to do this after watching a Rick Stein series on BBC iPlayer. This recipe is for a rather nice chicken curry. To start with diced chicken in to a bowl with coconut milk and a little turmeric. In to a frying pan goes some fennel seeds, cumin seeds and cardamom pods lightly toast these, the cardamom pods pop open and smell devine!. Once this has been done grind the fennel, cumin and cardamom (minus their pods) ready for the next step, take some time to smell the spices... it's magic! In to your chosen pan put some oil (I use either sesame or ground nut oil) and gently fry some chopped onion and grated garlic. Add the just ground spices along with Garam Masala ,  Salt, a little  Cayenne  Pepper (by the way, the heat should be low, don't burn it!), also put in your chopped pepper. After about 10 minutes throw in the chicken, minus the coconut milk it was bathing in. Once the chicken has browned put in the coconut milk and add the sult

THE FEAR OF CHRISTMAS Christmas comes but once a year...., thank goodness for that! Ever since my Mum passed away, and a number of friends including Huw from Cardiff, John from Bridgend, and a few others; the magic has vanished from what is supposed to be a joyous time of the year. For a number of years now I've had something to look forward too, dog and house sitting down in Wallington in Surrey. This year however its not happening. A trip to the big city seems to have become a big part of making Christmas something. So what am I embarking on?, a trip to London for a few days, taking one of my friends with me so we can explore. A Christmas at home means I will need to attempt some kind of festive meal.  My roast potatoes leave a lot to be desired I have to say. For the past few weeks, I have been trying to perfect my roast potatoes, I think I am close. Here's the method! Part boil with onion in a pan.  Heat up the roasting tin with oil and some garlic. Drain the potatoes and b

Recipe: Paprika Chicken If you like something cheap for a meal, if you look in the right places, you can find fairly cheap chicken. Chicken thighs seem to be the most cost effective, try to find skinless if you can, it seems buying them in bulk may be cheaper. I've got a really tasty coating for them, recipe coming up. First of all get your roasting tin out and preheat the oven to gas mark 7. In the tin put some olive oil, and make sure you cover the tin with the oil.. Then get your chosen chicken portions out and wash them, as mentioned, I find thighs more economical. Dry them off and put them in the tin, rotate them to get them coated in oil. Then in a mug or dish put some paprika, garlic granules, termeric, parsley and some salt (just a little salt, not so much). Sprinkle the mixed spices and herbs over the chicken and cook. Once cooked serve with home made potato wedges, oven chips or maybe a nice salad, and enjoy!