Speaking of March, it has long been known as the end of every school year here in the in the country. And with every end of the school year comes Graduation Day. What better way to celebrate it but with tasty sweet and savory dishes you can easily whip up in your kitchen. Here are some easy to follow recipes from The Maya Kitchen.
CHICKEN BUFFALO WINGS WITH BLUE CHEESE DIP
Oil, for frying
500 grams chicken wings, (separate the wing tip to drummets)
2 tablespoons liquid seasoning
1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup MAYA All-Purpose Flour
¼ cup MAYA Cornstarch
½ cup prepared chilli sauce
Blue Cheese Dip:
½ cup blue cheese
½ cup cream cheese
¼ cup cream
¾ cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons chopped spring onions
salt and pepper to taste
1-2 teaspoons sugar
Using a deep frying pan, heat oil. In a bowl, season chicken wings with liquid seasoning, Tabasco sauce, salt and pepper. Set aside. In another bowl, combine all-purpose flour and cornstarch until fully mixed. Dredge chicken with flour and remove any excess flour. Fry until golden crisp. Set aside.
Prepare Dip: Beat blue cheese and cream cheese together until it softens. Add in the cream, mayonnaise and spring onions. Season with salt and pepper. Put sugar to balance the taste. Keep mixing until sugar is dissolved. Refrigerate dip until ready to use. Serve chicken buffalo fingers with blue cheese dip. Sprinkle top of dip with chopped spring onions.
Yield: 4-5 servings at 2 pieces per
MACARONI N’ CHEESE OVERLOAD
1 cup chopped bacon
¼ cup butter
¼ cup MAYA All-Purpose Flour
3 cups fresh milk
1 cup cream
1 cup cheese spread
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
500 grams elbow macaroni, cooked
Topper:
1 cup Japanese crumbs
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
¼ tablespoons melted butter
Preheat oven to 375°F/191°C. In a pan, cook bacon until lightly brown. Do not remove bacon from the pan but instead, add in the butter, then mix in the flour. Pour in the milk and cream, stirring for 2 minutes. Add the cheeses and cayenne pepper. Stir and simmer for 3 minutes then add in cooked macaroni. Remove from heat and transfer to a 8 x 11 x 2 baking dish. Set aside.
Prepare Topper: Simply combine all ingredients until well mixed. Sprinkle over macaroni n’ cheese and bake until top is crisp and nicely browned. Best served with garlic toast.
Yield: 8-10 servings
GRADUATION BROWNIES GALORE
½ cup butter
2 tablespoons water
2 pieces eggs
1 package MAYA Fudge Brownie Mix 500g
Caramel Sauce:
¾ cup sugar
½ cup butter
1 cup whipping cream
Chocolate Frosting:
85 grams unsweetened baking chocolate
1 cup miniature marshmallows
½ cup butter, softened
1/3 cup evaporated milk
2 cups powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Toppings:
Assorted chopped nuts
Chocolate chips
Melted white chocolate
Preheat oven to 375°F/ 191°C. Grease and line 9 x 9 inch square pan. Set aside. In a mixer bowl, cream butter then add in water, eggs and fudge mix. Beat until well mixed. Pour and spread in a prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until brownies are done. Cool and cut into 20’s or 4” x 5” squares. Set aside.
Prepare Caramel Sauce: In a heavy saucepan, caramelize sugar in moderate heat. Once caramelized, add in butter and whipping cream. Keep stirring until no bits of caramel are visible and mixture becomes smooth. Cool.
Prepare Chocolate Frosting: In a saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate. Put in marshmallows and keep stirring for 1 or 2 minutes. The mixture will pull from sides of the pan. Remove mixture from heat and transfer to a mixer bowl. Whip mixture adding butter and milk gradually until the mixture becomes smooth. Add in the powdered sugar and vanilla and continue beating until desired consistency is achieved.
To assemble Brownies: spread caramel on top of half of the brownies and the chocolate frosting on top of the remaining half to serve as base. Garnish with desired toppers and then drizzle with melted white chocolate or caramel sauce as desired.
Yield: 20 squares/pieces
For more recipes, other culinary ideas and course schedule, log on to www.themayakitchen.com.
