Delightful delicacies

Chef Rajesh Moolchandani
Africa is a melting pot of many cuisines. Europeans have invaded north of Africa, and the affluent have travelled across the globe and influenced the tribal cuisine. Signature African delicacies are diverse, distinct and lingers on your taste-buds for a long time. Native inhabitants of the continent have vouched for the authentic flavours of their homegrown spices that are copiously used in the preparations of the traditional cuisines.

African food spices used most often include: cardamom spice, chilies, cilantro, cinnamon, cloves, cubeb pepper, cumin, fenugreek, garlic, ginger, mint, nutmeg, onions, parsley, sesame seeds and  turmeric spice.

Preserved lemons are used generously with main entrees; Berbere, Chermoula, Dukkah and Harissa are some of the main blends used in soups, stews and tajines (North African Berber stews cooked in earthenware pots having the same name) African cuisine is as diverse as the many cultures that exist on the continent, and its cuisine is not only reflective of this rich diversity but is also full of flavour.  But, did you know  global delicacies could be rustled up with an African spin?  This season, we take a look at some of delectable skewers and satays influenced by the African that are sure to whet your appetite.

African Spiced Grilled Chicken

ingredients

Chicken Marination
Chicken leg piece  200 gms
Onion (chopped) 10 gms
Cinnamon power  2 gms
Star Anis powder  1 gm
Black pepper powder  1 gm
Spring onion 2 gm
Vinegar  1 tsp

Rice Preparation
Rice 60 gms
Red yellow pepper  20 gms
Red chilli paste  2 gms
Butter  2 gm
Tomato sauce 10 gm

Salad
Olives  5 gms
Lettuce  25 gms
Cherry tomatoes  5 gms
Honey  1 tsp
Olive oil  2 tsp
Mustard paste  1 tsp
Parmesan cheese 5 gm

Method

Chicken Preparation
Debone the chicken leg, and dice into cubes.
Marinate the chicken cubes with spices.
Put the chicken cubes on the  skewer stick and grill.    l Roast in an oven for five minutes at 180c.

Rice Preparation
Add some butter to the pan.
Sauté the yellow and red pepper.
Add tomato sauce, salt, black pepper and olives.
Add steamed rice.

Salad Preparation
In a capacious bowl, mix lettuce, olives and cherry tomatoes.
Add salt, pepper, honey mustard paste, parmesan cheese and olive oil as per prescribed quantities.
Mix well.

African chicken skewers

ingredients
Chicken leg boneless 200 gms
Marinade
Spring onion 30 gms
Cinnamon 5 gms
Onion 20 gms
Malt Vinegar 30 ml
Black pepper 5 gms
Dijon mustard 20 gms
Sugar brown 10 gms
Salt 5 gms

For Bell pepper rice
Boiled rice  90 gms
Chopped bell peppers 20 gms
Chopped olives 20 gms
Olive oil 20 ml
Paparika powder 10 gms
Tomato ketchup 20 gms
Cajun spice 10 gms
Butter 30 grams     l Salt

Side salad
Mixed lettuce 20 gms
Celery 10 gms
Onion 10 gms
Bell peppers 10 gms
Olive oil 10 ml     l Salt    
Lemon juice 5 ml

Method
Cut boneless chicken into cubes
Mix all the ingredients of marinade and blend to smooth paste
Marinade the chicken for 40 min
Skewer the chicken and grill it on the hot plate for 3 min on each sides. Basting with butter  at regular interval

For the rice
Heat a cast iron pan, add chopped onion, celery and bell peppers and add butter
Now add steamed rice , tomato ketchup, cajun spice, paprika powder, salt and toss it in a pan
Adjust the seasoning

For salad
Cut all the vegetables into fine shreds
Clean and tear Lettuce to bite size pieces
Mix all the ingredients
Serve with chicken and bell pepper rice

Green Chicken Satay

Ingredients
Chicken leg  200 gms
Coriander  5 gms
Basil  3 gms
Green chilly  2 gms
Garlic 2 gms
Charmula powder  2 gms
Salt 2 gms
Jalapeño 3 gms
Jeera powder 1 gm
Lemon juice   1 tsp
Olive oil 3 gms
Butter  5 gms
Sour cream
Tomato salsa

method
Debone the chicken and slice it into cubes.
Marinate with coriander, basil, green chilly, garlic, jalapeno, lemon juice and olive oil.
Grill, after applying a generous amount of butter on  the griller.
Serve with sour cream and tomato salsa.