Potato gems

How long do you cook a Coles Chicken Kiev?

Posted by Gary

How long do you cook a Coles Chicken Kiev?

You’ve had a long week right? You want something simple and tasty on a Friday night after work. Chicken Kiev fits the deal, but what else to have with it?

More importantly, how long do you cook one of those Coles “ready to cook” Chicken Kievs? These things aren’t sold in a package or packet and there aren’t any cooking instructions in the display. I’ll tell you one way how to cook this so you have a delicious meal for one.

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TGIF with a simple and easy Swiss cheese Chicken Kiev with potato gems and beetroot coleslaw Gary Lum
TGIF with a simple and easy Swiss cheese Chicken Kiev with potato gems and beetroot coleslaw

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Recipe

TGIF with a simple and easy Swiss cheese Chicken Kiev with potato gems and beetroot coleslaw Gary Lum
Print
Swiss cheese Chicken Kiev with potato gems and beetroot coleslaw
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
45 mins
 

This is simply putting together items purchased from Coles and cooking them in the oven for an easy and filling dinner. 

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Australian
Servings: 1
Calories: 3000 kcal
Author: Gary Lum
Ingredients
  • 1 Piece Chicken Kiev
  • 1 Slice Swiss cheese Place this on the chicken
  • 12 Pieces Potato gems (Tater tots)
  • 1 Cup Beetroot coleslaw
  • 2 Tablespoons Garlic aioli
Instructions

  1. Put the chicken topped with Swiss cheese along with the potato gems into a large non-stick frying pan and put into a hot (200 °C/400 °F) oven for 40 minutes.

Recipe Notes

There's nothing to really prepare for this meal. All the ingredients were purchased from Coles and then put together. The chicken and potato gems need cooking and then after letting the chicken rest for 10 minutes, I added the coleslaw and aioli. 

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Frequently asked questions

What’s the Coles Chicken Kiev like?

Not too bad. I’ve had better, but this was quite edible and the garlic and cheese was nice. The crumb could have been better. To be far, the person who served me was a little rough and knocked some of the bread crumb coating off.

Would you call it value for money?

The delicatessen at Coles sells the Chicken Kiev at a fairly cheap price, so yes, I’d regard it as value for money.

Are you sponsored by Coles?

No, I get no support or sponsorship for anything on this blog.

At the delicatessen

When you’re at the delicatessen in a supermarket like Coles and you see something like ready prepared Chicken Kiev, there’s never a sign with cooking instructions on it. I assume, the people on staff just assume you know how long to cook them otherwise you’d be buying them in a packet (with directions on the back) from the freezer section right?

Food safety

Well with the amount of salmonella in Canberra lately, there is a clear message to cook your chicken thoroughly. That’s why I chose 200 °C (400 °F) for 40 minutes. Given the breast has been stuffed with garlic and butter and I’ve added a layer of cheese, it’s important to get the inside to a good high killing temperature.

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7 steps to make delicious chicken thighs

Posted by Gary

Thanks for visiting. Please check out the rest of Yummy Lummy. I’d love it if you shared this site with your friends.

While my favourite cut of chicken is the Maryland, when that piece is not available the next best thing is a thigh with the skin still attached. For reasons that escape me, Coles has started calling chicken thighs, chicken cutlets. Bizarre if you ask me.

In terms of basic cooking, you can’t beat a simple oven roast at 180 °C for between 50 and 60 minutes depending on size, number and how closely spaced the thighs are in your baking tray.

My preferred method though for cooking chicken thighs in the oven is to ensure a crunchy skin and to have something with some extra crunch to accompany the chicken meat.

For me the bestest tastiest chicken thighs are those cooked with cheese and on a piece of bread. If done well you end up with a really crispy cheesy skin and a nice tasting piece of toast.

Step 1

You can use any type of bread really although I probably wouldn’t use a sweet bread like raisin toast. I also wouldn’t use a flat bread or unleavened bread. In fact if you have a stale loaf and you can cut it yourself a thicker than normal slice is best.

There’s no need for butter because the fat and juices from the chicken will be absorbed by the bread and the melting cheese will give it a richness you can’t beat.

Roast chicken thigh preparation

Steps 2 and 3

I use Coon grated cheese on the bread and then lay the chicken on top.

Roast chicken thigh preparation Roast chicken thigh preparation

Step 4

On top of the chicken I use slices of cheese. I recommend a cheese that melts nicely. I like Swiss cheese and Colby cheese. Gruyere would also be good.

Roast chicken thigh preparation

Steps 5, 6, and 7Roast chicken thigh preparation Roast chicken thigh preparation Roast chicken thigh preparation

 

On the cheese I like some freshly cracked black pepper and some chilli flakes and a little sea salt.

If you do this right you end up with tender moist chicken flesh, crispy skin and some lovely toast which will hold all manner of vegetables accompaniments.

Roast cheesy chicken thighs on crunchy cheesy bread with potato gems
Roast cheesy chicken thighs on crunchy cheesy bread with potato gems

If you try this please let me know and tell me what you think.

Thanks for visiting. Please check out the rest of Yummy Lummy. I’d love it if you shared this site with your friends.

Taco Saturday

Posted by Gary

Have you ever had a Taco Saturday and eaten tacos for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Today I had tortillas filled with goodness three times. This extravaganza was inspired by a blogger friend Julie who is currently on a camping holiday. We started a discussion in the comments of a recent post and the notion of breakfast tacos was raised. It cascaded from there.

 

This morning started well with a panorama of the sunrise.

Lake Ginninderra Panorama
Lake Ginninderra Panorama

I went for a walk to build an appetite.

Lake Ginninderra
Lake Ginninderra

My breakfast taco was made with a line of cheesy potato gems (tater tots for my US friends), streaky Pialligo Estate Artisanal bacon and creamy buttery scrambled eggs.

Breakfast tortillas with scrambled eggs, bacon, potato gems, salsa, cheese and spring onions
Breakfast tortillas with scrambled eggs, bacon, potato gems, salsa, cheese and spring onions
Breakfast tortillas with scrambled eggs, bacon, potato gems, salsa, cheese and spring onions
Breakfast tortillas with scrambled eggs, bacon, potato gems, salsa, cheese and spring onions

After some grocery shopping I needed my lunch taco which contained smoked salmon with a guacamole laden with chilli.

Smoked salmon and avocado salsa tortilla with chilli, dill, cream cheese, lemon zest and black pepper
Smoked salmon and avocado salsa tortilla with chilli, dill, cream cheese, lemon zest and black pepper

After lunch I needed to make some purchases and walked by the lake. I had noticed an abandoned car on my morning walk.

Abandoned car on Lake Ginninderra
Abandoned car on Lake Ginninderra

I also spent some time sitting on a bench day dreaming.

Lake Ginninderra
Lake Ginninderra

For dinner I had some Coles pulled pork and made some macaroni cheese from scratch.

Coles pulled pork cooking instructions
Coles pulled pork cooking instructions
Pulled pork and macaroni cheese tortillas
Pulled pork and macaroni cheese tortillas
Pulled pork and macaroni cheese tortillas
Pulled pork and macaroni cheese tortillas

Have you ever had a Taco Saturday?

If you want to know more about tacos I suggest another Texan, viz., Hilah Johnson. Hilah has a fantastic YouTube channel.

My week in food

Posted by Gary

I’ve had an interesting week. Work has been busy and on Wednesday I flew to Perth for work. I heard from Ms18 that the Queensland state gymnastics competition has been going well. She did well on the first day and I’m hoping her second day of competition finishes with even better results.

In terms of sleep, it hasn’t been great. Despite my CPAP machine I seem to be going through a period of early waking and an inability to return to sleep. My tinnitus has been worse and I’m not sure why. I’m quite careful not to expose myself to loud sounds and before bed I try to observe good sleep hygiene. I guess I should try to do more exercise. That always seems to be a good option.

So this week I’ve enjoyed some nice food.

On Monday I had leftover slow cooked beef, speck and spam for lunch

Leftover slowly cooked beef, speck and spam
Leftover slowly cooked beef, speck and spam

For Monday dinner I enjoyed some greens with a piece of baked salmon

Baked salmon with peas, sugar snap peas and broccoli
Baked salmon with peas, sugar snap peas and broccoli

Tuesday breakfast was scrambled eggs Gordon Ramsay style

Cheese and chives scrambled eggs
Cheese and chives scrambled eggs

Tuesday lunch was leftover corned beef congee

Corned beef quinoa congee
Corned beef quinoa congee

Tuesday dinner saw me flake some baked salmon and enjoy it with noodles

Baked salmon with ramen noodles with cheese, avocado, and beef, speck and spam gravy plus sugar snap peas
Baked salmon with ramen noodles with cheese, avocado, and beef, speck and spam gravy plus sugar snap peas

I had sugar and cinnamon doughnuts for Wednesday breakfast

Coffee and doughnuts
Coffee and doughnuts

My Wednesday lunch was a repeat of Monday, this time with different reading material

Slow cooked beef, speck and spam
Slow cooked beef, speck and spam

A friend at work likes to share with me when Urban Bean Espresso Bar is selling really nice cheesecake. This photograph shows three things I really like. A Queensland flag, a photograph of a FA-18 Hornet which was a gift from the CO RAAF Tindal and Squadron 322 and of course a caramel almond toffee cheesecake.

Caramel almond toffee crunch cheesecake from Urban Bean Espresso Bar with a Queensland flag and a gift from 322 Squadron Tindal, NT
Caramel almond toffee crunch cheesecake from Urban Bean Espresso Bar with a Queensland flag and a gift from 322 Squadron Tindal, NT
Caramel almond toffee crunch cheesecake from Urban Bean Espresso Bar
Caramel almond toffee crunch cheesecake from Urban Bean Espresso Bar

I was in Perth on Thursday morning and stayed at the International on the water hotel.

Bacon and eggs with mushrooms and a hashbrown
Bacon and eggs with mushrooms and a hashbrown

On Thursday night I had room service for dinner

Chilli mussels International on the water Hotel
Chilli mussels International on the water Hotel
Stuffed mushrooms International on the water Hotel
Stuffed mushrooms International on the water Hotel

Friday night was an easy one with leftover corned beef quinoa rice congee

Corned beef quinoa congee
Corned beef quinoa congee

On Saturday I had a leisurely breakfast of cheese and chives scrambled eggs with a cup of coffee

Cheese and chives scrambled eggs with coffee
Cheese and chives scrambled eggs with coffee

Saturday much was tinned pink salmon with an avocado on Vita-Weat with cream cheese

Tinned pink salmon with avocado on Vita-Weat with cream cheese
Tinned pink salmon with avocado on Vita-Weat with cream cheese

Saturday evening I had a lovely chicken giblet congee with black fungus

Chicken thigh, drumstick and giblet congee with black fungus
Chicken thigh, drumstick and giblet congee with black fungus

Sunday lunch was a chicken breast hot pie

Garlo's chicken breast hot pie
Garlo’s chicken breast hot pie

This dish is known as “Jacqui” after my friend Jacqui

The 'Jacqui' aka Garlo's chicken breast hot pie with cheesy potato gems
The ‘Jacqui’ aka Garlo’s chicken breast hot pie with cheesy potato gems
The 'Jacqui' aka Garlo's chicken breast hot pie with cheesy potato gems
The ‘Jacqui’ aka Garlo’s chicken breast hot pie with cheesy potato gems
Potato gems
Potato gems

So it’s been a pretty yummy week in food. None of this is really helping my waistline. Oh well, I will work on that later.

NRLGF footy food for #NRLGF Brisbane Broncos versus North Queensland Cowboys

Posted by Gary

My two favourite teams in the National Rugby League are playing in the 2015 NRL grand final. I’ve been a Brisbane Broncos supporter since their establishment. The North Queensland Cowboys have been my number two team since their entry into the NRL. Two strong Queensland teams. Tonight’s NRLGF footy food had to match the intensity of the game.

What a year it’s been in Rugby League. Queensland wins the State of Origin and my top three teams make the top four at the end of the year. My third team, the Melbourne Storm got knocked out by the Cowboys late in the finals series. I think this has been the best year in Rugby League ever. For the Broncos they’re playing for their captain Justin Hodges in his last game and for Mr Bennett who returned this year to coach the Broncos again. For the Cowboys they’re playing for their captain, Johnathan Thurston. For whoever wins it’s a fairy tale finish and there are no real losers. I can’t remember a happier week leading up to a grand final game.

So I started with a light breakfast of vegemite and marmalade on an English muffin with a coffee in my Brisbane Broncos mug.

Vegemite and marmalade on an English muffin
Vegemite and marmalade on an English muffin

I went for a walk around Lake Ginninderra.

Lake Ginninderra HDR
Lake Ginninderra High Dynamic Range with a little Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop processing.

When I got home I needed to do my ironing. Followers on twitter and facebook know this as a #SundayRitual

Brisbane Broncos Ironing and Star Trek for my Sunday Ritual
Brisbane Broncos Ironing and Star Trek for my Sunday Ritual [Yes I have a Corey Parker figurine]
Yes, I'm a member
Yes, I’m a member

For dinner, I wanted to relive previous footy food joy and I also wanted to enjoy a variation of the Canadian treat, viz., poutine.

The basic elements were going to be some pulled chicken thigh, potato gems, brown onion gravy and shredded cheddar cheese. What more could you want for NRLGF footy food.

#NRLGF footy food
Ingredients
  • Chicken thigh meat
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Olive oil
  • Lemon zest
  • Lemon slices
  • Potato gems (Tater tots)
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Gravox brown onion gravy
  • Spring onions
Instructions
  1. In foil add the chicken with a good glug of olive oil plus the lemon zest, lemon slices, balsamic vinegar and the wrap.
  2. Put into the oven at 100 °C for 150 minutes.
  3. As the chicken comes out turn up the oven to 220 °C and add the potato gems (tater tots) and cook for 25 minutes.
  4. Pull the chicken apart and reheat in a frying pan with some oil to keep it moist.
  5. Make the gravy as per instructions on the tin
  6. Lay the chicken on the bottom of a small bowl
  7. Add a layer of potato gems
  8. Pour over some gravy
  9. Add another layer of potato gems
  10. Add some shredded cheddar cheese
  11. Blast in the microwave oven for 30 seconds to melt the cheese
  12. Garnish with spring onions
  13. Serve with wasabi aioli and sweet chilli sauce along with the rest of the gravy
  14. Shoot a photograph
  15. Eat the meal while watching the footy
  16. Wash the dishes
  17. Write the recipe
  18. Blog (verb)
NRL Grand final dinner. Potato gems and cheese with pulled chicken and brown onion gravy.
NRL Grand final dinner. Potato gems and cheese with pulled chicken and brown onion gravy.
NRL Grand final dinner. Potato gems and cheese with pulled chicken and brown onion gravy.
NRL Grand final dinner. Potato gems and cheese with pulled chicken and brown onion gravy.
NRL Grand final dinner. Potato gems and cheese with pulled chicken and brown onion gravy.
NRL Grand final dinner. Potato gems and cheese with pulled chicken and brown onion gravy.

If you want to see the photographs as a gallery click here. Click on one image to see it full size. To see the EXIF data (including a map if the photograph was geotagged) click on the information (i) icon in the top right corner. You can navigate through the gallery using the arrow keys or by swiping if you’re using a tablet or smartphone.

It was an amazing game. It was tight and the lead changed regularly through the match. It was tough with no quarter lost nor given. It was also a clean game with very little niggle. The refereeing was even good. Each captain played well and the superstars in each team did their thing. Towards the end tempers frayed but each team was exhausted. The Cowboys kept attacking and the Broncos kept defending. It was the most exciting ending of a grand final I’ve seen in a few decades. It went to extra time golden point and the North Queensland Cowboys got the victory off the boot of Johnathan Thurston. The night’s best attacking team won which is the way I think it should be. A fairy tale finish for JT and the Cowboys. The final score was 17 to 16. It’s simply been the best year in rugby league full stop. You could not want for a better finish to a great season. I feel for Justin Hodges and Wayne Bennett but they’ve enjoyed success before and tonight it was JT’s time.