PARTY FOOD (RICE WITH CHICKEN,SPICY SAUSAGE& PRAWNS)

This dish is always a favorite when family and friends get together for special occasions. it is very similar to paella but made with basmati rice and Turkish spicy sausage SUCUK.

It is a kind of feel good dish that so nice to make. I serve it as a main mail with salad or one of the hot dishes at a party.

• First I pan fry the CHICKEN TIGHTS (4 or 6 depending on how many people.) Add little water and cook the chicken pieces for 10 minutes, set aside.
• Then chop 1-2 large ONIONS and brown them in oil in a large frying pan or wok.
• Transfer chicken tights into the wok.
• Add 1 or 2 cups of BASMATI RICE and stir with onion for a minute or so. Add pinch of TURMERIC and CHILI PEPPER to taste.
• Add hot WATER or STOCK ( 2 cups of water for 1 cup of rice ), some SALT to taste.
• At this point, add some VEGETABLES that you like. ( corn, peas, peppers )
• Bring it to boil, then turn the heat to low to simmer.
• Add SUCUK or SPICY SAUSAGE slices on top. Cover and simmer for 20- 30 minutes until the rice is cooked.
• Add cooked PRAWNS 5 minutes before the cooking time ends.
• Sprinkle with CHIVES or SPRING ONIONS just before serving.

NOT: Chicken tights are best for this dish as they are not so dry.

Use any spicy sausage instead of sucuk.

PIZZA WITH SELECTION OF TOPPINGS

I like making this pizza because everyone can have what topping they want on their slice, either vegetarian, meat or fish. Today i used prawns, mushrooms and peppers and spicy sausage for this pizza.

First make a dough with 200 g flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp yeast, 1/2 tsp sugar, 1 tbsp olive oil and 150 ml warm water. Mix yeast, sugar, olive oil with water and let it stand for 10 minutes or so.

Sift the flour and salt in a bowl. Make a hollow in the centre and pour in the yeast mixture.Mix and knead for 10 minutes until you have a smooth dough. Cover the dough and leave in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour or 1 and half hours.

Roll out the dough and prick with a fork. Spread thinly with tomato puree and sprinkle with grated cheese. Then top each triangle with the topping you desire. Sprinkle extra bit of cheese on top and bake in hot oven 240 C for 10-15 minutes.

SCALLOPS & PRAWNS WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS

INGREDIENTS

• 12-15 scallops
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 fat glove of garlic
• 1 shallot or small red onion
• pinch of sugar
• dash of water or white wine
• 50 g prawns, defrost if frozen
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley
• salt and ground black pepper
• Mix green salad to serve.

METHOD

Chop the onion finely and fry in a non stick pan with the butter until it is nearly going brown. Add little sugar, mix it with the onion to caramelize. Add the scallops, stir and cook each side for 1 minute. Add little olive oil if needed while cooking the scallops. Pour dash of wine or water. Stir the prawns in and cook for further 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and chopped parsley. Serve it on a bed of crispy green salad. Serves 2.

MIX SEAFOOD PASTA ( Deniz urunlu makarna )

This pasta dish is so quick to make and ideal for weeknights for a feel good meal. Serves 2

INGREDIENTS

• 250-300 g pasta
• 200 g cooked mixed sea food ( mussels, squid rings, prawns, seafood sticks )
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 tsp grated ginger (optional )
• 150 g fresh tomatoes, chopped
• 75 g fresh or frozen peppers
• 1 or 2 tsp tomato paste
• 150 ml hot water
• A handful of fresh dill and parsley, chopped
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Some more chopped dill for serving.

METHOD

First boile the pasta in plenty of salted water until it is 'al dante' for about 7- 10 minutes. Drain, set aside and keep the pasta warm. Make the sauce by frying the onions in the oil first. Then add rest of the vegetables, stir and cook for 2 minutes or so. Add tomato paste, water, herbs, salt and pepper and cook on low heat for 15 minutes. Add more water if needed. Add the seafood at the last minute and serve immediately with the pasta. Season with salt and black pepper and sprinkle of fresh dill. Enjoy...