I have a craving for Black Pepper ________ (anything can go into this blank). It’s one of those days my brain decides to dredge memories of us going to one of the food stalls set beside the sea in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Or even better - the little wooden houses built on stilts on the water which seemed deceptively like …little wooden houses. But these were more than little houses. They were more of a restaurant serving fresh seafood. I mean REALLY fresh. But maybe the term “restaurant” is inappropriate because they lack the setting and the ambience of a restaurant. The sparsely furnished eatery (hmm..maybe this word will suffice) has the bare minimum - only what you need to order, eat , wash your hands and a small room dedicated for those in urgent need to answer the call of nature. If you’re lucky, there’s a small posy of flowers somewhere inconspicuous. But you don’t have need for flowers when all you want is to eat fresh-out-of-the-sea-food.

The Black Pepper Crab is to die for. But there are rules to follow if you truly want to make the experience an unforgettable one.

Rule #1 - Even if the paparazzi were at your heels, ignore them.

Rule #2 - Enjoy the feel of getting all 10 fingers coated with the sauce.

Rule #3 - Your only tools will be your fingers and your mouth. (Uh..sounds kinda wrong.) So use them skillfully - no hammers/pliers/napkins to drape around your neck etc.

Don’t look so shocked. It’s part of the fun! If you’re going to worry about how you look, eating daintily for fear that Prince Charming will suddenly appear walking on water towards you from the sea, then I’m feeling sorry for you already. Before you can finish your one piece of crab, the rest will be long gone.  Taking  the rules  above into consideration, I’d advise no white clothes and definitely not the place to go on your first date - well not unless it’s a date from Hell.

Unfortunately, I don’t have any crabs but I am not going to bother myself to get some while the sun is setting. I defrosted some chicken instead and we had Black Pepper Chicken for dinner. It is a poor substitute  but it will have to do until the craving for the Black Pepper Crab strikes again. And in case you’re expecting an authentic Black Pepper recipe, I will admit now that I cheated. *sheepish grin* The sauce came right out of the bottle but it’s so finger-lickin’-good! Don’t you want to know which bottle?

Ingredients:

1lb chicken thighs - remove fat, wash and cut into bite size pieces
1/2 tbsp soy sauce
6 tbsp cornflour
1 onion - cubed
3 sprigs of spring onion - use only the white part and cut into thin slices
1/2 tsp of ginger-garlic paste
1 cup of frozen or fresh vegetables
1 cup of cauliflower
1/4 cup short beans - cut into 2 inch lengths
1/2 a carrot - sliced
1/4 cup water (adjust depending on how much gravy you prefer)
dash of white pepper
2 tbsp black pepper sauce
peanut oil

Method:

1. Marinate the chicken with the soy sauce for at least 15 minutes. Then combine with the cornflour and mix well to coat the chicken pieces.



Before

Remember to marinate the chicken. It makes a difference.



After

Just so you know there’s no need to make sure all the pieces are caked with flour

2. Heat a skillet/wok. Pour 1/4 cup peanut oil, and stir fry the chicken pieces until they are no longer pink and turn a light brown. Scrape to remove any bits that gets stuck to the pan so that they don’t burn. Remove and set aside.



Before

Don’t worry if it sticks. Just keep shoving them around in the pot. A good anger management therapy.



After

Browned with crumbs all over.

3. In the same skillet/wok, add 1 tbsp of oil and fry the ginger-garlic paste, onions and spring onions until fragrant.



4. Add the cauliflower and carrots. Saute for a few minutes.
5. Add the frozen vegetables and stir well.



Too much vege? Not really, the volume will decrease as they cook. Just don’t overcook them.

6. Add water and black pepper sauce. Stir well to combine. The gravy will start to thicken.



The magic BOTTLE!!!

7. Add the chicken and the dash of white pepper. Stir well to coat the chicken pieces with the gravy.
8. Serve hot with rice.

Tips:

• It’s easier to remove the fat from the chicken while the chicken is 1/4 way thawed.
• If you don’t have this sauce, replace it with 1/4 cup oyster sauce and 1 tsp dark soy sauce, fresh ground black pepper (according to your preference)
• If substituting the above vegetables, choose those that will not turn mushy eg. brinjal, okra etc. Good substitutes would be bell peppers, broccoli.