Lahori Chicken and Potato Curry

One of the most irritating parts of having a dairy allergy is that it can be difficult to go out to eat. When we go out, we usually stick to Asian restaurants. They are most often the safest when trying to avoid dairy, but you still have to be vigilant. Unfortunately, I cannot eat Indian cuisine out. While I love cooking, but sometimes I’m just not in the mood and my favorite curry dish does take some time to make. It is sooo worth it, though.  This chicken and potato dish is fabulous, layers of subtle flavors that build to one big cohesive finish. The homemade curry in this dish is very similar to garam masala, so if you do not have the time or a spice grinder (aka coffee grinder) then you can definitely substitute store bought garam masala.  You can find it in the spice section of most major grocery stores. I really do recommend you try making your own at least once if you can.  

You can use a whole 4-pound roaster chicken cut into 8-10 pieces, but I prefer using skinless or boneless, skinless chicken thighs.

Like many of my one-pot recipes, I like to double the recipe and put some in the freezer for a later date. One day I will get a stand up freezer for the garage and fill it with all kinds of goodies for when I don’t feel like cooking.  

*If you do decide to double the recipe, do NOT double the amount of lemon juice you add. It will make it too lemony.

8 chicken thighs (boneless, skinless are fine)

1 pound small red potatoes, cut into  1½” cubes

3 tbsp olive oil

¾ tsp turmeric, divided

¼ tsp cayenne pepper

salt

1½ medium onion, roughly chopped

5 cloves garlic

2-inch piece of fresh peel ginger**, roughly chopped

1 cinnamon stick

12 green cardamom pods

9 whole cloves

10 black peppercorns

1 dried red chile

1 tsp coriander seeds

½ tsp cumin seeds

1 fresh jalapeño or serrano chile, cut in half and seeded

2 large tomatoes

2 tbsp tomato paste

¼ cup mayonnaise

1 cup water

½ cup fresh cilantro chopped

juice of one lemon

• Combine the cinnamon stick, green cardamom pods, cloves, peppercorns, dried red chile, coriander seeds, and cumin in a small dry skillet. ***
• Toast the seasonings over medium heat for 3-4 minutes or until you can really smell them. Be careful because it’s easy to burn them.
• Remove from burner and cool.
• Finely grind the spices in a spice grinder.
• In a very large zip top bag or a large bowl, combine and mix the chicken, potatoes, ½ tsp turmeric, ¼ tsp cayenne pepper, and a ¼ tsp of salt.
• Place the ginger, garlic and onions in a food processor and finely mince them.
• In a large pot, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat.
• Add the spice mixture, the onion mixture, the jalapeño, and 1 tsp salt to the pot.
• Cook for 10-15 minutes until the onions are translucent and soft, stir occasionally.
• Remove the jalapeño.
• Add tomatoes, tomato paste, and ¼ tsp turmeric to the onion mixture. Cook for 5 minutes.
• Transfer the onion mixture to the food processor and blend until smooth.
• Heat the remaining oil in the pot at medium-high heat. Add the chicken and potatoes.
• Cook for 3-5 minutes while stirring occasionally.
• Stir in the mayonnaise and cook for another 3 minutes.
• Add the tomato/onion mixture and water to the chicken.
• Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally and partially covered.
• Cook uncovered for 5 minutes.
• Stir in lemon juice and cilantro.
• Serve with basmati rice and dairy free naan.

Notes:

**Fresh ginger should be smooth and firm with shiny skin.

***If you prefer to use store bought garam masala, you will need 3½ 4 tbsp garam masala.

It’s been a while, but the last time I looked Trader Joe’s had dairy free naan or you can use dairy free flat bread such as this:

Homemade Ranch Dressing

I love salads, but in recent years, I haven’t eaten them as often as I use to. I like various oil and vinegar based salad dressings ok, but I really missed ranch dressing. That was my favorite. And now, it is again! I hope you enjoy this cool creamy dairy free ranch dressing over your next salad. This recipe should really be made ahead of time since it thickens after it sits for at least 30minutes and the dried onion flakes soften. But don’t worry if you don’t have the time to let it sit. I will include a short cut for making the dressing that will allow you to use it within 5-10 minutes. You can store the seasoning mix in a zip top bag in the fridge or any other airtight container.

 

Ranch Seasoning Mix

5 tbsp dried minced onions (onion powder will work if you do not have minced onions)

3 tbsp dried parsley

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp dried dill

½ tsp  salt

Dressing

2 tbsp Ranch Seasoning Mix

1⅓ cup mayonnaise

⅓ cup rice milk

1½ tsp lemon juice

·      Combine the mayonnaise, rice milk, and lemon juice in a mixing bowl and whisk until there are no lumps in the mayonnaise.

·      Whisk in the seasoning.

·      Chill for 30 minutes before using it.

·      Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

*Shortcut:

·      Combine and stir the rice milk, lemon juice, and seasoning mix in a bowl.

·      Let sit for 5-10 minutes.

·      Whisk in the mayonnaise (whisk until there are no more mayonnaise lumps).

Gluten Free Chocolate Chiffon Pie with Chocolate Ganache

Here is a gluten free version of my Chocolate Chiffon Pie.

Use finely ground nuts, either almonds or hazelnuts, in place of graham cracker or cookie crumbs.

This time I used a 9inch spring form pan instead of a pie pan and added a dairy free chocolate ganache on top. I have decided that I prefer the look and ease of the spring form pan. The result is an unbelievably lush and decadent dessert that is sure to impress anyone who tries it.

Gluten free crust

2 cups ground nuts (almond or hazelnuts)

4 tbsp granulated sugar

4 tbsp Fleischmann’s Unsalted Margarine sticks, melted

·      Thoroughly mix the ingredients together.

·      Press into the bottom of a 9inch spring form pan.

·      Pour the Chocolate Chiffon Pie filling into the pan.

·      Refrigerate until firm.

·      Run a knife around the edge of the pan.

·      Release the latch and very slowly lift the ring away.

·      Place back in the refrigerator until the ganache is ready.

·      Pour ganache over the pie. (optional)

·      Chill until it is time to serve.

The filling for the pie is the same as the original recipe. I am including it here so it’s all in one place.

Chocolate Chiffon Pie Filling

1 pkg plain gelatin
½ cup sugar
¼ tsp salt
1¼ cups rice milk
6 oz. Scharffen Berger Semi Sweet Dark Chocolate*, broken into chunks
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp Kahlua (coffee flavored liqueur) or 1 tsp coffee extract
4 egg yolks
3 egg whites
½ cup sugar
¼ tsp cream of tartar

·      Combine gelatin, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan.

·      Gradually stir in the rice milk.

·      Add the chocolate pieces.

·      Stir over low heat until the chocolate melts.

·      Remove from the heat.

·      Whisk the egg yolks in a small bowl, then whisk a small amount of the chocolate mixture into the egg yolks.

·      Stir the yolk mixture into the chocolate mixture.

·      Return to low heat.

·      Stir until thickened.

·      Stir in vanilla extract and Kahlua (coffee extract).

·      Cool mixture until it’s very thick.

·      In a mixing bowl, beat the room temperature egg whites and cream of tartar.

·      Once the egg whites are foamy reduce the speed to medium and very slowly add the sugar.

·      Beat on high until the egg whites are stiff but not dry.

·      Stir ⅓ of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture.

·      Gently fold the remaining egg whites into the chocolate mixture.

·      Pour over the crust.

·      Refrigerate.

Chocolate Ganache

You can use other liqueurs or none at all depending on your preference.

1 cup So Delicious Dairy Free Original Coconut Milk Creamer

9 oz dark or semi-sweet chocolate

1 tbsp rum (or Kahlua), optional

·      Chop chocolate into smaller pieces

·      Combine chocolate and coconut creamer in a saucepan.

·      Whisk over medium high heat until the chocolate is melted and the mixture thickens.

·      Remove from heat.

·      Whisk in rum (Kahlua).

·      Let cool until it is warm to the touch, but not hot.

·      Pour and spread over the top of the chilled pie.

·      Refrigerate until the ganache is set.

Chocolate Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting

The frustrating frosting is frustrating no more! I have successfully made chocolate Swiss meringue buttercream frosting several times with the Fleischmann’s unsalted margarine sticks.*

I want take a moment to give a quick thanks to David Lebovitz for taking the time last year to respond to my email about meringue buttercream. While he didn’t have an answer on whether or not making meringue buttercream frosting was possible with margarine, he suggested a place to look and he was supportive. Thank you, David! Check out his awesome blog.

Now, back to the frosting. My first attempt at making a meringue frosting was a disaster. I tried making an Italian meringue buttercream and I think that between the water used to dissolve the sugar and the water in the margarine there was too much water to allow the meringue and margarine to come together. My 2^nd attempt was a success in regards to texture and consistency, but the taste was absolutely horrible. I used Earth Balance brand margarine and it was way too salty.  I only tried using the Earth Balance because I had difficulty finding the Fleischmann’s. This time I used the Swiss meringue method and it worked. Once I was able to get my hand on the Fleischmann’s, my third attempt was a complete success in both texture AND taste! This is without a doubt the absolute best chocolate frosting ever! The texture is light, creamy and luxurious and the taste is rich and decadent without being sickly sweet. This is the ultimate chocolate frosting.

I suggest using a dark chocolate. I like the result that I get with the bittersweet chocolate (Scharffen Berger). The Scharffen Berger bittersweet and semi-sweet chocolates are dairy free.

6 egg whites

2 ½ cups granulated sugar

4 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp coffee extract

4 sticks (2 cups) Fleischmann’s Unsalted Margarine sticks, room temperature

9.7 oz bittersweet chocolate melted

·      Make sure you prep everything that comes in contact with the egg whites.

·      Wipe down the mixing bowl, whisk, whisk attachment/beaters, and candy thermometer with lemon juice or white vinegar to remove any residual oils.

·      Combine egg whites, sugar and extracts in a large mixing bowl.

·      Set the bowl with a candy thermometer over a pot of simmer water.

·      Whisk constantly until the sugar is dissolved (140°F-160°F). Mine dissolved at about 155°F.

·      Remove the bowl from the heat and beat the egg whites on high until stiff peaks form and they have cooled.

·      Add the softened margarine to the egg whites one tablespoon at a time.  Continue to beat on high.

·      If the mixture begins to curdle, continue to beat on high until the mixture comes together.

·      Chop the chocolate into small pieces.

·      In a saucepan, melt the chocolate over medium heat.

·      Turn the mixer on medium high and slowly pour the melted chocolate into the meringue mixture.

·      Place the frosting into the fridge until it firms up (30-60minutes).

·      Once the frosting is firm, beat it on high for 20-30 seconds.

·      Frost your cake.

·      The frosting can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 week or stored in the freezer.

*I receive no compensation from Fleischmann’s (or any other brand) for mentioning their product(s). I mention certain brands because I like the results I get when I bake/cook with them.