PEPPER CHICKEN

Pepper Chicken flavored with Peppercorns is my contribution this week's "Weekend Herb Blogging" hosted by Kalyn herself this time around.My choice of spice this week for WHB is black Peppercorns and powder.Thanks for hosting Kalyn:)



Black Peppercorn:




The word "pepper" is derived from Sanskrit(the oldest Indian language) pippali, in Latin piper and Old English pipor. The Latin word is also the source of German pfeffer, French poivre, Dutch peper, etc,.Black pepper is native to South India, said to be found more than 4,000 years ago as far back as 1000 B.C. and is extensively cultivated there and elsewhere in the tropical regions.Black pepper is a flowering vine in the family Piperaceae, cultivated for its fruit,which is usually dried and used as a spice and seasoning. The same fruit is also used to produce white pepper and green pepper.More info at WIKIPEDIA.





Pepper Chicken:


Here is a easy and delicious spiced with peppercorns stir fry chicken for Quick lunch.This recipe serves two easily with a salad and slice of bread.


You Need:


1 lb chicken breasts,cut in to bite sized pieces,1 small onion chopped, 1" fresh ginger,2 garlic finely minced,1-2 small plum tomatoes,chopped or 1/4 cup Tomato sauce,1/4 tsp turmeric(optional),1 tsp cumin seed pd,1 tsp coarsely ground or crushed black peppercorns,salt and cilantro ,lemon slices for garnish.



How to make it:


Heat 2 tsp oil in a non-stick pan,add onion and fry until soft.Put in ginger-garlic,saute for 2 mins.Add Chicken pieces,stir fry until they turn white.Put in all the other ingredients along with tomatoes,cover and cook on low heat.When the chicken is cooked,turn up the heat and stir-fry until it's almost dry with gravy sticking to the chicken.Adjust the salt and pepper to your taste.


That's all there is to it! Garnish with cilantro and serve with a slice of lemon,bread slices or rice.


Interesting use of Peppercorns other than in cooking!

Black pepper is also an effective deterrent to insects. A solution of 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper to one quart of warm water sprayed on plants can be toxic to ants, potato bugs, silverfish, and even roaches and moths. A sprinkling of ground pepper will also deter insect paths in non-garden areas.(source:Internet)

Enjoy the dish and the tips!:))