Chinese Sweet & Sour Chicken Legs And Spiced Chinese Fish Fillet

Today the 29th of January is the start of the Chinese New year and the year of the Dog,the Fire Dog.Wish all those celebrating a happy,healthy and wealthy year of the dog that is full of joy,happiness, prosperity.
Happy Chinese New Year!

The Dog in Chinese Astrology represents loyalty,friendship, infinite courage,mighty fortitude and hidden strength.
I went Indo-chinese with 'Chinese Sweet & Sour Chicken Legs' today,a starter dish which has a tangy,sweet and spicy flavor.I enjoy cooking Chinese inspired Indianised food and this dish doesnt require much effort and is a very simple recipe.You can play around with the spices and sauces.

Fish plays a large role in Chinese festive celebrations.On New Year's Eve it is customary to serve fish for dinner,symbolizing a wish for abundance in the coming year.I prepared an Indo-Chinese fish recipe,'Spiced Chinese Fish Fillet' which is not only easy to prepare but also tastes great.

Chinese Sweet and Sour Chicken Legs

Ingredients:

6 chicken legs
4 tbsp tomato sauce
2 tbsp vinegar
1/2 tsp soya sauce
1/2 tsp red chilli pwd
1/4 tsp black pepper pwd
salt to taste
1 big onion finely chopped
2 dry red chilli deseed & tear into pieces(or chopped green chillis)
1 tsp grated ginger-garlic (optional)
1 tbsp oil

Wash chicken and drain water completely.Marinate the chicken with tomato sauce,vinegar,soya sauce,red chilli pwd and pepper pwd for half an hour.
Heat a vessel and add the marinated chicken and let the chicken cook in its own juices(dont add water.
Cover and cook till the chicken absorbs all the spices and sauces.Keep checking and stirring so that it doesnt burn.
Meanwhile heat oil in a pan.When hot add the onions,chillis and garlic-ginger and fry well on high heat stirring continuosly till well browned.Add the fried chicken legs and stir fry for 4-5 mts till well roasted and coated with the onions.Serve hot with salad.

Spiced Chinese Fish Fillet

Ingredients:

fish fillets 6
1 tsp chinese 5 spices powder (equal parts of cinnamon,fennel,star anise,cloves and black pepper)
1 tsp soya sauce(optional)
1 tbsp vinegar
1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
salt
1/4 cup rice flour
oil for frying

Mix all the above ingredients except rice flour and salt and marinate the fish fillets with this mixture and keep aside for 1/2 hr.
Dust the marinated fish fillets with the rice flour and salt.
Heat 1-2 tbsp oil in a frying pan to medium-high and fry 2 fish fillets at a time for 2-4 minutes each side till golden brown.Pat dry with paper towel when done.Serve hot with salad.
Variation:Alternately,you can also dip the marinated fish fillets in all purpose flour,then dip in beaten eggs and then coat in bread crumbs before shallow frying.

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