Irish Spice Bag- Mála spíosrach na hÉireann

Serves 2

Ingredients

Crispy Chicken

  • 1 large chicken breast, cut into strips
    • Marinade
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 Tablespoon dark soy sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon sriracha
    • Chicken coating
  • 1 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3 Tablespoons corn starch

Spice Bag seasoning*

  • 1/2 Tablespoon fine salt (less if you prefer)
  • 2 teaspoons Chinese Five Spice powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom

Stir-fried vegetables

  • 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 red pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, sliced
  • 2 small red Birdseye chilis, sliced
  • 2 small green Birdseye chilis, sliced
  • 2 green onions, sliced

Additional

  • 750g bag Frozen potato fried, to preference

Method

Spice Mix

  1. In a bowl combine all the Spice Mix ingredients and whisk together until combined. Transfer to an airtight storage jar or container until needed

Crispy Chicken

  1. In a small bowl combine the buttermilk, sesame oil, dark soy sauce, sriracha and whisk to combine. Add in the sliced chicken, ensuring all the pieces are coating in the marinade. Allow to marinade for at least 3 hours, or preferable overnight, in your refrigerator
  2. Once you want to make your spice bag, start cooking the potato fries in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
  3. While the potato fries are cooking, combine the chicken coating ingredients of all-purpose flour, baking powder, corn starch in a bowl and whisk to combine
  4. In a high-sided skillet heat about 1-1 ½ inches of canola oil until hot, 350°F
  5. While the oil is heating, remove all the chicken strips from the marinade, allowing excess the drip off,  then dredge piece by piece  in the flour coating. Repeat by dipping the pieces in the marinade and then in the flour coating again until all the pieces are double-coated
  6. Shallow fry the chicken (two batches may be needed) in the hot oil skillet until golden brown and crispy. Drain and remove to a wire rack set over some paper towel while you make the stir-fried vegetables

Stir fried vegetables

  1. Heat a wok or frying pan to a high heat and add sesame oil. When the oil is hot, add in the sliced peppers and onions and stir to keep them moving. You want them to soften but not to color too much
  2.  After a couple of minutes add in the sliced garlic and continue to fry until slightly brown. Finally add in the sliced Birdseye chilis and green onions just before you finish frying, giving all the vegetables a final stir. Remove from heat

To assemble

  1. In a large bowl combine the cooked fries, crispy chicken and stir-fried vegetables. Sprinkle over 2-3 Tablespoons of the Spice Bag seasoning (to personal taste) and toss everything together to combine and coat in the seasoning
  2. For traditional serving, transfer to a paper bag and serve along with curry sauce

Curry sauce*

  • 2 Tablespoons, butter
  • 2 Tablespoons All-purpose flour
  • 1 Tablespoon curry powder
  • 1 ½ cups chicken stock
  • 1 Tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon regular soy sauce
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
  1. Put butter in a small pot over medium heat, and when melted add the flour and curry powder – stir well about a minute, to cook off the flour
  2. Whilst whisking, slowly add the chicken broth, about a half cup at a time until it’s the thickness you want, then add the honey, soy and salt & pepper to taste
  3. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat and serve

*This recipe makes more Spice Bag seasoning and Curry Sauce than needed. The surplus Spice Bag seasoning can be stored in an airtight jar or container at room temperature for up to 2 years. Any remaining curry sauce can be transferred to an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To serve again, remove from refrigerator and gently reheat in a pan to serve

Pizza Waffle Fries

Serves 2-3

Ingredients

1 bag (540g) waffle fries

Marinara pizza sauce

  • 1 can (14oz) diced tomatoes
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 ½ Tablespoons sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ Tablespoon dried basil
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

To finish

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup pepperoni slices

Method

  1. Cook the waffle fries in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions

Whilst the waffle fries are cooking prepare the pizza sauce

  1. In a pan combine the marinara pizza sauce ingredients. Stir over a medium heat until well combined. Bring toa boil and cook for 3 minutes, stirring continuously
  2. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally
  3. After this time remove from the heat and bland using an emulsion blend to an even sauce
  4. Set aside until needed

To finish

  1. In a bowl mix together the cheeses. Set aside until needed
  2. Once the waffle fries have been cooked remove from the oven and set temperature to 400°F
  3. Portion the waffle fries by layering with the fires with marinara pizza sauce and cheese. Finish with a layer of cheese and top with pepperoni slices
  4. Return the pizza waffles fries to the oven to cook for 7-10 minutes until the cheese has melted and the pepperoni has “cupped”. *You can also give them some additional time under the broiler for extra finishing

Patatje Oorlog (War Fries)

Makes 2 cups sauce apx

Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon canola oil
  • 1/2 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 -2 Tablespoons sambal oelek, or Sriracha sauce (dependent on spice tolerance)
  • 1 inch fresh ginger, finely grated
  • 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 1 Tablespoo kecap manis
  • 2 Tablespoons dark brown sugar

To serve

  • Freshly cooked potato fries
  • Mayonnaise
  • 1/2 onion, finely chopped

Method

To make peanut sauce

  1. In a medium pan heat the canola oil. Add in the finely chopped onion and allow it to cook until it becomes soft. Once done, add in the sambal oelek, ginger and garlic, and let all the ingredients cook for approximately 1 minute, stirring occasionally
  2. Add the peanut butter, chicken stock, kecap manis, and dark brown sugar, stirring to combine. Cook over a medium heat, gently stirring to ensure the peanut butter is fully melted. Continue to cook for between 5-8 minutes until thickened. You want the consistency of ketchup. If the sauce becomes too thick you can a tablespoon or two of chicken stock
  3. After cooking time, take the pan off the heat and leave to cool slightly before using. The cooked peanut sauce can be refrigerated in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days

To serve

  1. Portion your cooked fries on to a plate or into serving bowl
  2. Generously spoon over the peanut sauce, then add mayonnaise to your liking
  3. Top with some of the finely chopped onion, serve and enjoy!