TSW Homemade Mango Chutney

Just about everybody I know loves Mango Chutney.  My MIL devours it with everything, quite often simply spooning it directly out of the jar!

Even those who don't necessarily eat Indian Cuisine, seem to love Mango Chutney.

One of my favourite ways to enjoy it is with a plate of poppodums and a pickle tray.  But sometimes with cheese and biscuits too.

Making Coronation Chicken?  Why add the traditional apricot jam when you can add Mango Chutney for a better alternative?  Give it a try, it's fantastic.

I first attempted Homemade Mango Chutney several years ago.  It was OK, but just like store bought I always found it too lumpy and nowhere near enough of those delicious juices to mop up.

In my quest to achieve the best Mango Chutney Recipe I set about experimenting and tweaking until Eureka.

And here it is.  Ripe, sweet mango with plenty of juice.  Sweet, spicy, tangy and above all addictive to say the least.

Sorry to tempt you, but I'm not sharing the recipe.  Never say never though!

I am offering this to my customers over at TakeOut of Your Freezer Menu, so for those unfortunate enough not to live locally to order for themselves I sincerely apologise.

However, to show I'm not totally mean I am offering a giveaway for you to sample.

How to enter:-

• Leave a comment on blog post below stating how you like to eat your Mango Chutney.
• Subscribe to TSW via email subscription (see right hand column)

For more chances to win:-

• Follow us on twitter and post saying "Win Mango Chutney giveaway via The Spanish Wok @bibsinspain 
• Follow us on FB and post a link to this page for how to enter.

Rules:-

• None really, you just need to provide a UK or Spanish address for posting.
• Upon announcing the winner, you must email us at thespanishwok at gmail.com with your address for postage.

The winner will be picked randomly on 10th May 2013 and announced here.  Good luck to everyone.

Chinese Sweet & Sour Chicken Recipe

OMG, it's been so long since my last post, let alone an actual recipe.  Apologies to all my readers, but I'm back with another delicious Chinese Recipe for you. I have been a little busy recently due to my involvement with The Cudeca Pop-up Diners Club

This is the recipe for the popular dish on my Menu for The Spanish Wok TakeOut of Your Freezer Meals.  Now I know some of you may be wondering why I would share the recipe if it's on the Menu.  Well, quite simply I love to share my recipes (well mostly, I do have some secrets!) and for those whom do not live within my area, they are unlucky in that they are unable to sample the Menu.  So this one's for you guys.

That said, my customers too may want to recreate my dishes at home and why not?  Mostly, I realise my customers order from me for two reasons 1) convenience and 2) they are not all willing home cooks.

Sweet & Sour Chicken is a very popular restaurant dish.  It's sweet, sour (obviously) and a non spicy dish to satisfy all taste buds, what's not to like?

Chinese Sweet & Sour Chicken Recipe (Serves 2)

1 chicken breast, thinly sliced
2 tsp cornstarch
2 tsp shaoshing wine, or dry sherry
1 tsp light soy
1/2 red pepper, cut into 1 inch cubes
1/2 green pepper, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 small can pineapple rings (reserve juice for sauce)
1" piece fresh ginger, grated
bunch chopped spring onions, chopped

For the Sauce:-
1/4 cup juice from the canned pineapple
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup tomato ketchup
pinch ground white pepper
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp cornstarch mixed with a little water to form a paste

Place sliced chicken in a bowl with 2 tsp cornstarch, shaoshing wine and light soy, mix well and set aside for 20 minutes to 1 hour.

Meanwhile prepare the sauce by mixing all ingredients into a bowl and set aside, prepare cornflour paste and set aside.

Cut pineapple rings into equal small pieces to match the size of the peppers and set aside.

Heat 1 tablespoon groundnut oil in a wok, add chicken pieces with marinate and stir fry for 1 minute, remove and set aside.

Add another 1 tablespoon groundnut oil to work, once hot add the peppers and ginger to the wok and stir fry for 1 minute.

Turn heat to high and add the pineapple pieces and the sauce mixture, immediately add the cornflour paste and stir fry until sauce thickens.

Turn heat to low and return the chicken to the pan, stir fry until chicken is cooked through.  Turn off heat add the chopped spring onions, stir well and serve immediately.

Serve with Steamed White Rice or Egg Fried Rice (recipe to follow)

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Seeing out 2012 and an announcement for 2013

2012 has been an eventful year for The Spanish Wok, but 2013 is proving to be even bigger and better........

Firstly I would like to say "Happy Christmas and New Year" "Feliz Navidad y Nuevo Ano" to all visitors, readers and contributors to The Spanish Wok  and customers of TakeOut of your Freezer Meals throughout 2012.

The year end has bought about a lot of excitment and upcoming opportunities for The Spanish Wok and your continued support is much appreciated.

First up, we saw the successful launch of the TakeOut of your Freezer Meals back in September.  We have been extremely busy on a weekly basis preparing dishes for the many orders flooding in.  Currently, we are running a special offer of 10% off all orders received on or before 6th January 2013 totalling 40 euros or more.  This has received a fantastic response together with the announcement of new dishes being added soon and of course our new service of Gift Vouchers too.

Yesterday, I sadly announced the closure of The Soup Kitchen due to the retirement of The Soup Kitchen Butler. Read the full story here.

Farewell my friend.

The Spanish Wok is moving forward into into the New Year and 2013.  Busy times ahead...............

For sometime now, I have been involved with and supporting Cudeca Cancer in Spain and now Macmillan Cancer in the UK too  Both of these Cancer Charities survive solely on fundraising and financial support.  I don't need to explain their fantastic work and how they have and continue to assist everybody who has or will be touched by Cancer.  But it doesn't hurt to nudge in a little reminder of how they cannot survive without our continued support.

Here, in Competa Village, Malaga, Spain, my friend Cindy together with Susan Hannam of Cudeca Cancer Care have been hosting monthly meetings.  The Cudeca Cancer Care Support Group.  The meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 11.30 am in the Centro de Ocio Habitacion, Competa.

A support group for Cancer patients, family, friends and volunteer supporters.  Please email for further details to cpudclub@gmail.com everybody is welcome to join in.  We start off with beverages and biscuits, discuss the month's chosen topic and finish off with chit chat and many go off to lunch together too!

In order to raise further essential funds for Cudeca (and occasionally Macmillan too).  Myself and Cindy have launched The Cudeca Pop-up Diners Club.  With the blessing of not only the Cancer Care charities themselves but also the suppport of many residents we are experiencing an amazing response to this quarterly event.

Intrigued?  In order to discover more about our Fine Dining Events, please see this link at The Cudeca Pop-up Diners Club where you can discover all about us. Your support is vital and I look forward to seeing you there, thank you.

"Once again, Thank You for your support in 2012. a Merry Xmas and healthy, happy, prosperous New Year to you all"

Debs @ The Spanish Wok

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The Soup Kitchen Butler says a sad farewell!

The TSK Butler retires

Message from The Soup Kitchen Butler............

Hello to all my fellow soup lovers and may I firstly say, "A Happy Christmas and New Year to you all".

After much soul searching I have made the decision to retire from The Soup Kitchen Monthly Blogger Event.

This decision was not made lightly, nor suddenly.  I have so enjoyed your company each month and the pleasure of sharing amazing recipes with you all.

It's been a wonderful year chatting with you all over our soups, stews, casseroles, curries, etc, etc.

On a brighter note.  My creator The Spanish Wok will not be retiring.  Far from it in fact.

My reasons for retiring are to provide my creator with the opportunity to concentrate on not only this website for the purposes of which is was originally launched, but also to pursue other commitments too (details to be announced in next post).

I do hope you understand, it's been delightful to meet you all.

Due to the only submissions for the month of December theme NOT being submmited correctly, there will be no roundup published!

The Spanish Wok wishes to sincerely thank all previous participants to The Soup Kitchen Monthly Blogger Event during 2012.

I will be announcing my news in the next post and look forward to continued friendships with you.

Thank you for visiting, we appreciate all comments and invite you to leave your thoughts in the space provided below, please visit again soon.......

Theme for December 2012 - The Soup Kitchen Monthly Bloggers Event

It's almost December again, already, so soon.  That old saying "time goes faster as you get older" is worrying me this year LOL,  I don't regard myself as old, or young, I'm just simply middle aged, so how can time go this fast?  At this rate I'll be approaching 100 years old (doubtful, but it happens) and one year will feel like one day!!!!!!

Well we all know what December means - Christmas of course.  Many of you will already have bought, wrapped and possibly even distributed your gifts and posted cards.  I really must get my act together and organise things, but that's for another day.

Today, we are here to announce the theme for December 2012 over at The Soup Kitchen Blogger Event.

Of course, you guessed already the theme for December is naturally "Christmas".

Share your soup, stew, casserole, etc recipes with us of your planned Christmas Menu.  Don't forget that some parts of the world have also just celebrated Thanksgiving too so do share those recipes also.

For those who are not familiar with this Monthly Blogger Event, please see here for Rules of Entry and of course we always welcome back those whom have joined us before.

Of course, this theme is not limited to Christmas day alone.  Hosting a dinner party to celebrate Christmas beforehand? Dishing up delights Christmas Eve? Does your Christmas day start with a warming bowl of soup perhaps?  And, of course for some of us Boxing Day is also a celebration with family and friends.  Also, there was your Thanksgiving celebrations too.

The choice is yours and remember you are welcome to submit more than just one entry.

Have fun in your build up to Christmas and we look forward to reading your amazing recipes to share.

Thank you for visiting, we appreciate all comments and invite you to leave your thoughts in the space provided below, please visit again soon.......

Roundup for November 2012 - The Soup Kitchen Event

Hi all, hope you had a fabulous time on Guy Fawkes night and Dia de los Muertos too.

For us, Guy Fawkes was typically quiet as of course it's not celebrated here in Spain.  However, having dinner with some of our neighbours after the event, we all agreed we should have had our own bonfire night as fireworks are easily available.

Typical for someone to mention it after the event LOL.

Dia de los Muertos however is a very much celebrated occasion all over Spain and of course there were celebrations happening every.  This also marks a national holiday so many Spaniards get the day off to spend with their families.

Without further ado, I bring you the delicious roundup for our November theme.

First up, is Cynthia of Cooking Pleasure with Wakame, meatball & tofu soup

Lizzy of That Skinny Chick Can Bake shares her Lentil and Sausage Soup recipe.

And of course The Spanish Wok shares with you Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup

Just a small roundup for this month, but hey all completely different and delicious too.  Which is your favourite?

Theme for Dec 2012 at The Soup Kitchen to be announced shortly, do come back to discover next month's theme, or add your email addresses where indicated to obtain all new posts direct to your inbox.

Thank you for visiting, we appreciate all comments and invite you to leave your thoughts in the space provided below, please visit again soon.......

Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup

November marks 2 popular celebrations each year 1) Guy Fawkes and 2) Dia de los Muertos.

I bring you the perfect recipe for celebrating both occasions, Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup.

Comfort food is most definitely to be had more and more once we reach November and one of my favourite comfort soups is Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup.  It offers lots of flavour, heat and texture.

Loaded with crispy strips of tortillas and grated cheddar cheese makes this a filling soup for supper. Plus, for those with colds or flue it will blow it all away and give you a massive hug from inside making you feel so much better too.

I am submitting this recipe to The Soup Kitchen Monthly Blogger Event to celebrate Guy Fawkes and Dia de los Murteros.

Did you hold or attend celebrations for Guy Fawkes or Dia de los Muertos?


Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup (serves 4)

1 large chicken breast (skin removed)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large red onion (finely diced)
1 large green chilli (deseeded and finely chopped)
1 small green pepper (diced 1cm square)
1 small red pepper(diced 1cm square)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
2 tsp chilli powder
1 chipotle chilli from tin (finely sliced) +1 tsp of the sauce
2 tsp cumin powder
1 400ml can black beans (drained and rinsed)
1 400ml can chopped tomatoes
2 pints chicken stock
Sea salt and ground black pepper to taste

For garnish:-
2 flour tortillas
grated cheddar cheese
fresh coriander (optional)

In a small pan, bring plenty of water to a boil.  Once boiling add the whole chicken breast, turn out the heat, cover and leave for 20 minutes.  Remove and set aside to cool.

In a large pan, heat olive oil.  Add onion and stir to coat in oil.  Add a pinch of salt to stop onions burning.  Cook 15-20 minutes until nicely softened.  Add peppers, garlic and green chilli.  Stir fry for 1 minute and add the chilli powder, chipotle and the tsp of sauce.  Mix well and cook 1-2 minutes.

Add tin of tomatoes, mix well and cook out the tomatoes for 5 minutes.

Add stock and black beans, bring to a boil.  Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

In the meantime, shred the cooked chicken breast with 2 forks then add to the soup and stir in, cover and continue simmering for a further 10 minutes.

Heat 2 flour tortillas to become pliable or crispy (whichever you prefer), then cut into strips and grate some cheddar cheese.

Divide soup between 4 generous size bowls, top with strips of tortilla, grated cheese and a sprinkling of coriander (I could not get any, but it would have been far better with).

Get ready to feel warm, cosy and satisfied.

Buen Provecho Amigos.

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Meat Samosas - The Best of The Best

Despite the post title, I'm not able to share a recipe with you.  But I am on a mission to find The Best of The Best Meet Samosas Recipe! 

Hi friends and welcome to The Spanish Wok.  I'm looking for all you meat samosa lovers for some assistance with a project we are working on over at The Spanish Wok TakeOut of Your Freezer Meals.

Photo by kind permission of Sandy over at Ginger and Scotch Blog, thanks Sandy.

As a fussy eater that does not eat ground meats, I have no experience with tasting meat samosas but have requests from my customers to add them to the Menu over at TakeOut of your Freezer Meals, a service offered to hungry customers in the local area.

We are currently offering a special of  Indian Vegetarian Snack Selection.  This includes Onion Bhajis, Vegetable Pakoras and Potato/Pea Samosas.

It is proving to be popular and whilst my customers have been enjoying this selection, I have been receiving requests to add Meat Samosas too.

Why not just google it? I here you ask.  Well of course I have already done that.  But then, I had an idea which I hope you guys may be interested in assisting me with.

So, this is where I require your assistance.............................

Do you have an authentic Indian recipe for Meat Samosas?

Do you have (or can produce) a photograph of the completed recipe?

Would you like to see your Meat Samosas appear on our Menu?.

If you can answer Yes to all of the above, we'd love to hear from you.  What willl we offer in return?.

We will write a post of the submissions received, together with a photo and a link to your site too if you have one.

My chief taster and I will choose which recipes we are keen to sample and prepare them for tasting.  This will then be narrowed down to which 2 recipes provide the best flavour and are perfect for our search for The Best of The Best project.  A batch of each of the chosen 2 will be prepared for another tasting event and the winner will be voted by those tasters.

Once we have our winner for The Best of The Best, not only will the recipe be used for our Menu, but it will also be announced here at The Spanish Wok.

Interested?  Here's how to submit your entry:-

(Entries must be submitted on or before 30th Nov 2012)

• Forward an email to thespanishwok@gmail.com with your recipe or a link to your recipe on your site, this must accompany a separate attachment to a photograph too.
• Follow us on Twitter, here.
• Like our Facebook Page, here

In anticipation, I would like to wish each and everyone of you "good luck" and "thank you" for your assistance.

Thank you for visiting, we appreciate all comments and invite you to leave your thoughts in the space provided below, please visit again soon.......

Theme for The Soup Kitchen Blogger Event - November 2012

Once again, I begin with an apology for late posting.  We've been so busy in The Spanish Wok Casa recently that it's been difficult to attend to all comments on time.

However, life is to be a little quieter around here until our next visitors arrive for Christmas.  Oh dear, did I mention Christmas?  I've not even got time to think about that one just yet :)

Enough of all that.  No only are you eagerly waiting to hear November's theme for The Soup Kitchen Event you will no doubt have guessed it, or at least part of it, yes?

Guy Fawkes of course is the natural theme for November. An evening usually celebrated on the 5th of November, but of course these days, you can hear fireworks exploding way before and after the 5th!.

However, there is also another and very important celebration held in November too. This is in fact celebrated in more countries that you perhaps realise, called Dia de los Muertos, or Day of The Dead.

More than 500 years ago, when the Spanish Conquistadors landed in what is now Mexico, they encountered natives practicing a ritual that seemed to mock death. Read more here......

It therefore seems only natural to celebrate them both so I have named the theme for November..........

"Awaken The Dead" 

Well, let's face it, the fireworks going on for weeks will do that no trouble!!!

November 5th can be an extremely cold night and it's common both during and after watching firework displays to enjoy a steaming hot mug or bowl of soup to keep us warm. 

What is your favourite soup for such a fun event?  What soup will you be serving your family, friends and guests at your event?  Perhaps you are going to a firework display and are planning a feast when you arrive back home, or even before you go.  Come join our event and share your recipes for soups/stews etc with us.  Maybe, you are preparing a Mexican Mole for Dia de los Muertos.  Come share that too.

Pan or Bread is the perfect accompaniment to soups etc and that plays a big part in Dia de los Muertos too.

For further details of traditions and recipes to celebrate Dia de los Muertos, please see the links below.

History and traditions including recipes for Mole and Pan.

Recipe for Pan de Muertos

Presley's Pantry and the blog post explaining the traditions with photos and a recipe too

Maybe you will be celebrating both this month, then please feel free to submit as many entries as you wish.  Above all else, have fun and enjoy your celebrations but please be safe at firework events.

We look forward to receiving your delicious recipes and bread accompaniments too for "Awaken The Dead" theme from The Spanish Wok.

"Remember, remember, the 5th of November" and don't forget also that only entries submitted correctly will qualify for inclusion in the roundup to be posted after the 20th November.  Please see here for full details.

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The Soup Kitchen Blogger Event - Roundup for October 2012

I simply must begin by apologising for my late posting of the Roundup this month.  Life has been a little hectic recently.  With preparing meals for orders for TakeOut of Your Freezer Menu and having visitors staying too, we've been very busy at The Spanish Wok. However, I'm finally pleased to publish the Roundup for October's Theme of Double Bubble

Kimmy of Cooking Pleasure shares her Herbal Fish Soup for World Food Day.

Kimmy of Cooking Pleasure also shares her Dired Lilybud Soup.

          Ayeesha of Taste of Pearl shares her Pink Gazpacho

Kimmy of Cooking Pleasure shares her Tradional Style Pork Soup

Kimmy of Cooking Pleasure also shares her Curry Powder Chicken Curry a tasty dish to warm you up on Halloween evening.

Yours truly at The Spanish Wok brings you our one and only drink for October's Theme called Flaming Queimada

Not too many recipes for this month's theme, but certainly some tasty and fun options too.  You could service a delicious soup for starters and later warm up with a delicious curry before igniting your late night drink.

Finally, I finish by naturally saying "Thank You" to all who submitted their entries, please join us again.

Enjoy your Halloween evening everyone and do come back to let us know if you have tried any of the recipes submitted to October's Theme for The Soup Kitchen Monthly Blogger Event.

Next post to reveal the Theme for November, keep posted for announcement......................

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