Pan Grilled Basil & Garlic Chicken Breast on a bed of Wasabi Mashed Potatoes

It's the 4th of July weekend and since all my plans of going out got shelved, I hit the kitchen to try something new. I wanted to have grilled chicken breasts and also wanted to make wasabi mashed potatoes. Then this wild idea struck me . . . why not combine the two.
It did not come about without delays and hurdles. Firstly, to figure out if this really translates to something good. This meant giving a call to India and consulting my dear friend Vaneet. Vaneet is a chef and loves to play with flavors and food. I'll probably feature him on the blog someday ...the problem is getting him to cook for the blog. Then came the problem of ingredients. I hit the Target store and found out they have no wasabi. Macy's food court was out of Wasabi too. However, their sushi chef was kind enough to give me some (Actually he gave me quite a bit). Last problem was the sensitive fire alarm in my suite. I didn't want the whole hotel to know I pan grilled some good food. (now Blackberry's camera is not a hurdle anymore ...I have learnt to live with it).
In the end it all came together quite well. I cut the chicken breasts into two initially not knowing if I'll be able to eat the whole thing, but in the end I polished off everything. And by the way, Happy 4th of July.




Pan Grilled Basil & Garlic Chicken Breast



Ingredients:
Chicken Breasts, boned - 2
Basil leaves - 4
Minced Garlic- 3 Tblsp
Red Chili powder - 1 Tblsp
Onions, finely chopped - 1
Black peppercorns, coarsely powdered - 2 Tblsp
Parsley, finely chopped - 2 Tblsp
Cinnamon powder - 1/4 tsp
Olive Oil - 3 Tblsp
Salt - To Taste


Method:
1. Run the chicken breasts with the spices and salt. Leave aside.
2. Finely chop the basil leaves till they almost start resembling a paste form.
3. In a large bowl, combine the finely chopped basil leaves, minced garlic, chopped onion, olive oil.
4. Marinate the chicken breasts in the basil and garlic mixture made above. Leave aside for an hour.

5. Heat the Pan on flame for about 5 minutes.
6. Add in the chicken breasts and grill for about 10 minutes, or till the breasts are done.



Wasabi Mashed Potatoes


Ingredients:
Potatoes, peeled and roughly cut - 3
Milk - 1/2 Cup
Wasabi powder - 1 Tblsp
Butter - 2 Tblsp
Salt - To Taste



Method:
1. Place the potatoes in a pan of water. Add in salt and boil till they are tender.
2. Drain and mash them.
3. In a bowl dissolve wasabi powder into milk.
4. Add this wasabi mixture and butter to the masged potatoes.
5. Mix well with a fork to remove lumps and mix wasabi evenly.
6. Adjust seasoning.

Posted in: Chicken,Chicken recipe,Fusion Cuisine,Potato,Wasabi