Monday 3 March 2014

Roasted Chicken with Bittergourd


The water shortage crisis in the Klang Valley has made its presence felt in my neighborhood. We started water rationing last Sunday. I got the news on Saturday and was quite disturbed. I know many folks in Selangor have been without water for weeks and I counted myself lucky as I had been enjoying regular supply until now.




Water is such an essential commodity and to do without it even for a few hours is unbearable. You need water to drink, clean, bathe, flush the toilet, cook, bake and keep your plants alive. I was upset but just like everyone else affected, I must adapt and make the best of this predicament.


I love bittergourd!

I came home after work on Saturday and looked for something easy to cook. Taking a cue from Lite Home Bakes I decided on a one dish meal. Might as well formulate a meal that does not require washing too many dishes :)


Protein and vegetables in one dish.

Early in the morning I had already seasoned two chicken legs with garlic, Braggs Liquid Aminos, Lea & Perrins sauce and tomato sauce (yes, Louiz. I got this marinade idea from you). There was a big bittergourd in the fridge that was starting to develop wrinkles. Not wanting to waste, I decided to roast the bittergourd together with the chicken.


Toss bittergourd, onions and garlic in oil.

What I did was slice the bittergourd and placed them into a corningware together with some sliced onions and crushed garlic cloves. I poured 3 tablespoons of grapeseed oil onto the vegetables and tossed to coat. Thereafter, the chicken pieces were placed on top. In it went into the oven to roast for 45 minutes at 180C.


Before roasting.

The chicken roasted beautifully and the skin was brown and crispy. The bittergourd was tender and slightly browned. It could have done with a bit more seasoning or sauce but it was fine by me.


My favorite condiment. I usually add raw minced garlic but not today.

I ate the dish with my favorite condiment of Braggs Liquid Aminos, black vinegar, apple cider vinegar and sliced chillies.

After roasting. The chicken has a good color.

My recommendation to you is to try the roast chicken because it was very good. As for the bittergourd, you could leave it out or substitute for another vegetable that you like. Or you could roast just the chicken and cook your veges separately or make a salad.













Roasted Chicken with Bittergourd
Recipe source : Phong Hong

Ingredients :
- 2 chicken legs, drumstick and thigh separated
- 5 cloves garlic, crushed 
- 1 big onion, sliced
- 1 medium bittergourd, sliced
- 3 tablespoons grapeseed oil (or any cooking oil)

For marinade (mix all together) :
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Braggs Liquid Aminos or light soya sauce
- 1 tablespoon Lea & Perrins sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil (or any cooking oil)

Method :
1. Marinate the chicken pieces with the marinade for at least 4 hours or overnight.
2. In a casserole dish or lined baking tray, place bittergourd, big onions and garlic. Toss with oil to coat evenly.
3. Place chicken pieces on top of the vegetables and roast in the oven at 180C for 45 minutes or until chicken is browned and cooked through.


34 comments:

  1. Morning Phong Hong.. When I see the word bittergourd, I faster click on your post lah.. Coz roast chicken, I've seen lots (and baked lots), but roast chicken WITH bittergourd, amboi, perst time (first time) I hear oohh! Must really read this first before chomping on my Milo & soda peang..Oh yes, am early today (actually am early everyday) coz I usually reach my workplace at 7am..

    MIL's place located in Sg. Long have been without water for 2 weeks, yes two ! But now, they are having water every 2 days.. 2 days with water, 2 days without..

    Ooohh, usually you add raw minced garlic into your "see yau lat chiu zhai", but why not that day? Need to kiss after that ahh?

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    1. Louiz! Now afternoon already, so I shall wish you good afternoon! You are a real early bird. My place is having 2 alternate days with and without water. At least better than none at all. Hoi mana ada kissing-kissing? You are so naughty! I did not put garlic because I already put a lot into the marinade. If not then I get overdose of garlic hah...hah....Eh, I saw you face on SK's blog :)

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  2. Oh yes, one dish meals are definitely good during times of water rationing. I'm a little scared of going out for meals now, esp when I know restaurants are without water for weeks.

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    1. Yen, luckily my office area is still with water so I can still buy food. This situation is very inconvenient!

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  3. I used to fry bittergourd with chicken but never in mind mind of using bittergourd baked with chicken too. Very special. Love to get my hands to cook this dish of yours.

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    1. Mel, frying is better with bittergourd. I used bittergourd just for the sake of finishing it and not having to use my wok :)

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  4. I am sorry to hear that you are affected by the water rationing too, i guess we have to hang in there for awhile :( You are indeed very good at coming up with roast chicken recipes :) First time coming across one with bitter gourd! Hmm, i think i will roast some chicken one of these days too !

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    1. Oh yeah, I really hope that this water crisis ends soon. It is unbearable! But it does make us realise that water is so precious and we must not waste. On the plus side, it makes us more innovative when it comes to cooking hah..hah...

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  5. oh, i think your chicken is so perfectly grilled.. and i love bitter gourd too, surely they absorb the juice and aroma from the chicken and get so super-duper yummy!!

    BTW, is there any tips to make your bitter gourd doesn't taste (that) bitter??

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    1. Hi SK! I heard that rubbing the bittergourd with salt (leave for a while) and then rinsing off with water will take away the bitterness, But I don't bother because I like the bitter taste.

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  6. Ooooo...never had that combination before. Sure looks good! Slurpssss!!!!!

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    1. I never heard of it either hah,,,hah,,,but the chicken turned out really well!

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  7. I like bittergourd. Your combination looks good even though it may be a bit unusual. :)

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    1. Me too, Doris! And yes, it is unusual. In fact I wasn't sure whether to post it hah..hah...

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  8. Hi Phong Hong, yes, one dish meal is a perfect dish and great during water rationing. I love bittergourd too and roasting the chicken with the it looks new to me but I know this is indeed great and real finger licking good!! Will give this a try one day. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful week ahead :)

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    1. Hi Ivy! Quite honestly the chicken was good but the bittergourd needed more seasoning. I think in future I will make more marinade so that I can flavour the bittergourd as well.

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  9. Phong Hong, feel pity to you guys there, not having water supply all day is really a pain & not sure when this can be fixed? I can never resist roast chicken, eating with bitter gourd sounds like a fusion dish to me.

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    1. Hi Jessie! Yah, it is really terrible to be without water. This rationing will go on for one month and might even be extended. ***pengsan*** This dish is funny a bit lah but I just had to use up my bittergourd!

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  10. Phong Hong so geram when l look at your roast chicken it looks so moist and yummy only wish l can eat it now even tough l just had my dinner one and a half hours ago.pity you having to have water rationing especially when the weather is very bloody hot and you sweat and so sticky what you want is a good shower

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    1. Yes, it is terrible to experience water rationing. I hope that it would not be extended beyond this month. But depends on how much it rains. EE, you must try the roast chicken. Very simple and good!

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  11. Hi Phong Hong the roast chicken lady... LOL!

    Heard from Joyce that her place is finally raining... Hope that the rain has gone to your place. Made friends with Louiz via you and blogging. Great that she has given good cooking ideas! :D

    Zoe

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    1. Hi Zoe! Hah..hah...me and my roast chicken :D It did rain yesterday but not enough. Today was totally dry! That's the great thing about blogging, we learn so much from fellow bloggers :)

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  12. Hi Phong Hong, I always loved your roast chicken recipes. Next time I must remember to add some vege while roasting the chicken then I need not prepare a salad...Simple and nice.

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    1. Hi Kimmy! Thank you :) I find it quite nice to put vegetables together with the roast especially potatoes. But right now I am cutting down on starches. I found another bottle of hoisin sauce in my fridge LOL!

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  13. Ah yum! Another fantastic chicken recipe out of you! This looks SO good :)

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    1. Thank you, Cathleen! I love my chicken :)

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  14. Can I exchange my Vietnamese stuffed bittergourd with you? Yours sound really good too!

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  15. your roast so nice...mine...always uneven color

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    1. Next time, rotate the pan at half time. Then you will be able to get even color.

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  16. I have never thought of roasting chicken with bittergourd, sure looks good!

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    1. Hi Mich! It was done just to get rid of the bittergourd hah...hha...

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  17. Hi Phong Hong
    Thanks for a lovely recipe.
    What is the difference between roasting and baking meat? Are they the same?
    Tks

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    1. Hi Bh Kk! Quite honestly, I don't know the difference. As far as I know, it is only terminology. I can roast or bake a chicken but I don't roast a cake. hah...hah....

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