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Serves 4-6 people
Before we start, always get the most expensive version of the cage-free eggs. You use them in everything, so avoid hormones in bad eggs and yolk that is not an orange color. I always buy the best eggs at the market. When I think of my family's health, price is the last thing I think about. Because the eggs taste and smell better, you will have to try it to know what I am saying.
For the Koo Koo
Ingredients:
3 medium size red onions, finely diced
Vegetable oil for frying
Shredded meat from one whole cooked chicken
3-4 tablespoons chicken broth
1 cup chopped celery leaves
1 cup chopped parsley
8 large cage free eggs, beaten with a fork
1 teaspoon saffron ground with one teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon lime juice
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 teaspoon turmeric
¼ - ½ cup dried bread crumbs
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a large skillet, saute the onions in vegetable oil until golden. Transfer to a large bowl and add the chicken, the chicken broth, celery and parsley, eggs, saffron, salt and pepper, turmeric and lime juice. Mix well and add ¼ to ½ cup dry bread crumbs as needed to hold mixture together.
Wipe skillet with a paper towel, then pour in 2-4 tablespoons vegetable oil and warm over medium heat. Transfer meat mixture from bowl into skillet and form into a large patty the size of the pan. Cook on the stove top 3-5 minutes. Then transfer the pan to the oven. (Be certain that the skillet can be used in the oven.) Bake 45-50 minutes until fully cooked (internal temperature should be 165°F.) Remove pan from the oven and let stand 10-20 minutes. Cut the patty into slices and transfer to a nice oval dish. Serve with the colorful Shirazi salad.
For the Shirazi Salad
Ingredients:
1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded and cut into ½", diced
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 red onion, diced
Juice of 1 lime
½ cup rice vinegar
Pinch of salt
Pinch of dried oregano
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well. Transfer to a serving dish and refrigerate several hours to let flavors meld. Serve with the Koo Koo patties and steamed basmati rice.
Tips by Victoria:
Pour the salad in a nice matching bowl that goes nicely next to the oval chicken dish.
Make the salad ahead of time and keep it in the fridge to cool. This makes the lime juice and vinegar penetrate deeply into the salad. The results will be yummier.
The Importance of Atmosphere
If you are in the mood, take out the rice cooker. Add 2 cups of white basmati rice, some oil and salt and let it cook for 1 hour. I always love the smell of rice around at dinner time in my home. Put some music on and sit in a corner while the Koo Koo patties are baking. Let the lovely smell of rice gets around the home and make your man hungry. My husband loves me for so many things I do, but also for all I do at home in my kitchen - the food garnishes and the decorations I have on the table. Cooking is an art, and arranging the table is another art. Making the home a peaceful place is the biggest and most important art.
Do not forget to put aside some chicken for your beloved pet that will be sitting in a corner looking for his home-made dinner. My dogs love my chicken. Remember, never add onion to their food. Onion turns into poison for the dogs. If you're going to give them human food, only give them plain cooked chicken with cooked carrots, and also some cooked potatoes, with no onions in it. I also add some tomato paste to their bowl, to make it taste better.
Love,
Victoria
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