Wednesday, March 9, 2016

ASIAN - INSPIRED CHICKEN 'KANJI' / 'CONGEE' (GOAN BROWN RICE)

I first tasted ‘Kanji’ after my marriage when I was in Goa at my in-laws place and I have to be totally honest !…. When I first tasted ‘Kanji’, I did not like it at all !!  I remember calling it “a sick person’s food “!!

I used to cheat by taking oodles of ‘Sorpotel’ and pickle with it. … That was the case then…. Now,my 6 year old son and I totally share my hubby's love for this simple, yet delightfully soulful food !

Today, we made a non-vegetarian version of 'kanji' with Chicken and served it with a side of salad and some selected sauces to give it a more of an Asian-cuisine inspired twist.

ASIAN - INSPIRED CHICKEN 'KANJI' / 'CONGEE'   (GOAN BROWN RICE)



Rice Kanji is the ultimate comfort food which is usually consumed in Goa during the Lenten season.  It does not have a taste as such, and is relished when we have a cold or are unwell.  The essential values of kanji rice are the high amounts of nutrients which are vital for the recovery of a human body and it is very easy to digest.  Goan brown rice is used for a traditional kanji.

It is usually accompanied with some Raw mango water pickle(recipe to follow soon), or any other pickle of your choice. We also like to eat it sometimes with Sorpotel which is oooo soooo yummmyyy ! J J

Ingredients:

1 cup brown Goan rice (kanji) – also known as ‘Pez’ in Konkani
500 gms boneless chicken cubes
100 gms spring onions (chopped)
Salt to taste

Ingredients for Salad:
½ white cabbage ( julienned)
100 gms spring onions (chopped)
1 capsicum (chopped)
1 tomato (chopped)
1 lemon
Salt and black pepper to taste

Accompaniments:
Sauces:
Soya chili sauce
Sweet chili sauce
Chili vinegar sauce

Method:

-          Wash the rice thoroughly and then soak it for at least 2 hours prior to cooking.
-          Combine the chicken and the rice in a deep saucepan with double quantity of chicken stock (you can also use water) and bring to a boil.  


 -     Turn down the heat and let it simmer till the rice and chicken are cooked.


-          Add more stock/water as required


-          Add the chopped spring onions just before serving.         

      SALAD:

      For the salad, combine all the ingredients together and mix well.

    SAUCES:

    Sweet Chili Sauce:



Soya Chili Sauce



Serve immediately and enjoy a steaming hot bowl of 'kanji' !