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.

SUCUKLU FASULYE (beans with sun dried tomato and spicy sausage))

INGREDIENTS

• 2 Cups pre-cooked white beans
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped finely
• 1 clove of garlic
• 2 tbsp sucuk (spicy sausage ), diced
• 2 tbsp sun dried tomato, diced finely
• 2 tsp tomato paste
• splash of water
• salt and pepper to taste
• fresh, chopped parsley to garnish.

1) Heat the oil in a non stick frying pan and the onions. Cook the onions until lightly browned.Add garlic and sausages and stir.

2) Add tomatoes and tomato paste together with same water. Mix.

3) Add the beans to the pan and mix to coat. Add little more water just to cover the beans.

4) Bring the beans to boil and simmer for 5 minutes.

5) Add salt and pepper to taste and take off the heat.

6) Sprinkle with handful of fresh parsley just before serving.