BISCUIT BREAD

ANOTHER UGLY, BUT TASTY CREATION!

By now you have probably noticed that I have called this blog "Unusual Cooking".  The reason for that is that I make a lot of stuff that just pops into my head and don't always think things through to the end...like when I put the uncooked mess into the baking pan I knew it would be ok for drop biscuits or I could have added a bit more flour and kneaded it and cut it out little normal looking biscuits but that would take the fun out!  I was concerned that it would get stuck in the pan.  And what I am doing this is for fun!  And of course, the local dogs love me when only they or the chickens will  eat what I make!

THAT IS SOME SAD LOOKING GREEN ONION AND BASIL BUT IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER AS IT WILL BE CHOPPED UP AND BAKED.

I like to use Thai Issan sausage because it has a slight vinegary taste to it and has a little green chili in it as well, but any kind will do.


What you need:


*  Some minced basil leaves. I used about 1/4 cup.
*  One green onion minced up also.
*  About 1/4 cup of chopped up sausage.
*  One red Thai chili pepper. You can split it in half and remove the seeds because I am using it for a bit of color and not to melt your gums.


Now I usually don't measure things out, but when you bake, it is very important.


* One cup of buttermilk or if you don't have it just add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar in a measuring cup and add milk to make one cup...and don't use chocolate milk...I will be do the creating, thank you!
*  1/3 cup of shortening or butter...that is about 5 tablespoons.
*  Two cups of flour.
*  One tablespoon of baking powder.
*  One tablespoon sugar.
*  One teaspoon salt.


*One greased baking pan.


OK, now we can go for it!


Preheat your oven to about 400 degrees. I have an old oven that is not accurate so I just put it to the highest temp possible...It is only going to be in there 20 minutes so it should not burn up.


Mix up all the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix them up. When you are satisfied that every little grain of sugar is equally distributed, then put the butter or shortening in the bowl and cut it in with a fork.

CUTTING IN THE BUTTER.  LOTS OF FUN!

READY FOR THE MILK AND MEAT STUFF

When it looks like a lot of little crumbs pour in the milk and meat stuff and mix it all up.


I was pretty sure I had a disaster on my hands when after I put it into the pan.

READY FOR THE OVEN

Ok, stick it in the over for about 20 - 25 minutes and let it cool for a few minutes before you turn the pan over and put it on a rack.  I was sure that the dogs would be eating this one, but it taste pretty good.

YELLOW CURRY WITH CHICKEN AND PORK

Thai people love spicy food and I have loved it even before I moved here.  This is a typical Thai dish and although it does not look that attractive, at least the way I make it, it is tasty


OK, and now down to business!


WHAT YOU NEED:


* 1 potato peeled and cut into small pieces.


* 1 handful of minced pork.


* 2 cups of unsweetened coconut milk.

THERE IS ABOUT A CUP IN EACH CARTON 

* 1 chicken breast - cut into exact 1 inch cubes - Yeah, right...but I would suggest removing the fatty stuff and skin, but up to you.


* 2 cut up red Thai chili peppers. VERY HOT...DO NOT USE IF YOU DON'T LIKE!


* About a thumb sized chunk of minced ginger.


* Some minced garlic cloves - I am using about 5 or 6.


* 1 chopped onion.


* 5 or 6 broken up basil leaves. Now you got to break them yourself because if you ask the market clerk, "Excuse me, I need 5 broken up basil leaves please!" he will probably just look at you kind of funny.

FRESH BASIL

* 2 tablespoons of mushroom soy sauce. 

YOU  CAN USE ANY BRAND

You can use any soy that you like, but to me the mushroom soy does not taste as salty.


* 1 package of yellow curry paste. About two tablespoons.

I USUALLY LIKE TO MAKE THINGS FROM SCRATCH, BUT SOMETHINGS ARE BETTER FROM A PACKAGE

If you can not find this you can probably go to a Thai restaurant and just ask them for a little bit.  Thai people are very hospitable and I am sure they will be happy to give you some...especially when you tell them you are trying out a Thai recipe!


Ok, now mix up that mess and let it sit awhile so it can do what it likes to do and you can clean up your mess!  Cooking is a lot more fun if you clean up as you go.

NOT VERY COMPLICATED!

Put some oil in a wok or a big frying pan and cook it until you would not be afraid to taste it, but not burnt...even  under cooking is no biggie because it will cook more later in the coconut milk and curry paste.


Now for the messy stuff...sorry about that but it is a bit messy! Put the curry paste into a small bowl and add one cup of the coconut milk. Be careful when you open the carton because it will always spill a little bit. Take a fork and mix it up as well as you can and then add it to the meat mixture in the wok. 

THE COCONUT MILK WILL ALWAYS SPILL OUT OF THE CARTON

Bring it to a slow boil and stir everything around until you are happy, and add the other cup of coconut milk to it.

I NEVER SAID IT WAS PRETTY 

Let it cook down for about an hour or so but do check it and stir it once in awhile.  If you took a nap and it looks too thick, just add some water and make it the way you think is cool.


And that is that!  If you want you can add a little bit of lime juice or fish sauce to it, but do not add more than a teaspoon or so or you will be calling in the dog for his dinner!


I hope that you enjoyed this and like it.  It is not an attractive dish but I love the taste!

IT DOES TASTE BETTER THAN IT LOOKS

 And when bad things happen to good cooks...

Make yourself a happy cook!

Let's get ready!

The greatest part of unusual cooking is that you do not need a great big kitchen with lots of equipment.


Unless you are a chef in a restaurant you can get by with one or two knives - big and small, cutting board, basic stove - I use an old portable two burner propane rig - a wok or two (better to control heat),  a sauce pan and a bigger pan.


Nothing is fancy with unusual cooking!  Just have fun, be creative and enjoy life!