"Fusion Cuisine"- Tandoori Chicken and Naan/Roti Quesadillas

I was watching Guy Fieri's show"Diners, Drives Ins and Dives"  on Food Network the other day. They featured a restaurant named "Red Lion" that made 'Fusion Cuisine". Interestingly they made a Indian -Tex Mex fusion of Tandoori Chicken and Naan Quesadillas!!! Oh Boy...since I saw those...all I wanted to do was.....Bite into those Spicy Quesadillas!!!!

Since I so badly wanted to try those out, for my birthday 'M' suggested that we make those for dinner. We changed the recipe here and there to suit our tastes and the outcome was ...TERRIFIIIIICCCC!!!!
We tried the same Tandoori Chicken in Naan and in Tandoori Rotis.....and we polled that the Tandoori Chicken-Tandoori Roti Quesadillas were a notch above! (Sorry I don't have any pictures for that combo:(
Vegetarian Option:
We also tried the same with 'Tandoori Paneer- Naan ' Quesadillas.....and they turned out just as good.  Just substitute Chicken with Paneer in the recipe

Ingredients:
1) For Tandoor Chicken -
2 cups of boneless Chicken cut into big pieces(OR use Paneer Cubes)
1tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
2tsp Yogurt
2tsp Tandoori Chicken masala
1tsp Red chili powder(add more for spicier chicken)
1/2tsp Turmeric powder
2tsp Lemon Juice
1/2tsp Ground black pepper
1tsp Oil
 Salt
Marinate the chicken pieces with all of the above for 2 hours, in the refrigerator.

2) Topping:
1 Onion thinly sliced
1 Green Pepper/Capsicum thinly sliced
1/2tsp black ground pepper
salt
2tsp olive oil
Shallow fry the onion and green pepper in oil till just cooked.Add salt and pepper and keep aside

3) Naan/ Tandoori Rotis (I used the frozen ones)
4) Shredded cheese ( I used the Mexican style blend of -Monterey jack,Cheddar, Queso Quesadilla and Asadero cheese)
5) Olive oil

Method:
1) Thaw the frozen naan/ rotis in the refrigerator
2) Pre heat the oven to 375 F/ ~190C
3) Oil a baking sheet and place the marinated Chicken on the sheet.The pieces should not touch each other.Spread them out. Bake at 375 F for about 20-25 mins(For Paneer bake for 10-12 mins or so).Broil for 2 mins to slightly brown the chicken.Let it cool. Shred with hand into pieces to place in the Quesadillas.
4) Take a Naan/ Roti, place some onion-green pepper on the naan/roti, some shredded chicken and some Cheese. Toast on a skillet with some olive oil. Toast till  golden brown and the cheese has melted
5) Cut into squares/ Wedges and Serve Sizzling HOT!!

"Appetizers"- Fried Green Tomatoes

It was few years back, in Ithaca New York, we went to a 'Tomato Festival'. As the name says...it was all about TOMATOES!! There were many different tomato products being sold and in one stall..were the Fried Green Tomatoes.Being a Food Network fan..I had already seen them on TV. I couldn't resist and I tried my first fried green tomato...at the Tomato festival...how cool is that! It had a crispy coating ....covering the ....tangy green tomato slice which was HOT straight from the fryer.

For my birthday couple days ago..I remembered that I wanted to try out this recipe on my own. The coating was the usual flour-egg- bread crumb coating. I wish I had tried the 'besan' coating like the Indian pakodas to try  a variation.Oh well...there is always a next time!!

Ingredients:
1 Large Green firm Tomato sliced into sturdy slices
1/2tsp salt
1/2tsp black pepper
Rub the tomato slices with salt and pepper and keep aside for 10 mins. Let the water drain.

Coating:
Put the following in 3 separate bowls
3/4 cup all purpose flour+1/2tsp salt+1/2tsp red chili powder+1/4tsp black pepper
1 Egg beaten+1tbsp milk+1/2tsp salt+1/2tsp red chili powder+1/4tsp black pepper
3/4 cup bread crumbs+1/2tsp salt+1/2tsp red chili powder+ 1/4tsp black pepper
 Oil for frying

Method:
 1) Heat oil in a pan
2)Place the tomato slices rubbed with salt in the first bowl with flour.Let in coat the slice
3) Dip the slice in egg mixture
4) Then dip in bread crumb mixture.
5) Fry the slice till golden brown in hot oil
5) Serve HOT as is or along with what else....MY favorite....Maggie Hot and Sweet sauce!!