Hong Kong is one place that you must find out what is in the grocery store or market first, then decide what you will be making for dinner. Never, ever the other way around.
It is not uncommon to go to the local grocery store and for them to be completely out of the basics like milk, bread and eggs, maybe even all on the same day. In order to get your groceries here in HK, it is usually necessary to shop at 3-4 stores/markets just to get some very basic things on your list.
Now, I was not for looking for anything exotic today just some wee little tortilla wraps. How hard could that possibly be in such an international place??? I am now at a Welcome store and they have chicken feet, 1000 year old eggs, weird dried fish bits, and more abalone than you can shake a stick at but of course no flour tortillas. Plan B! It is always plan B in HK.
I really have a craving for some type of Tex Mex chicken recipe. I originally looked down the isles and thought about making some little miniature Tex Mex egg rolls but then I would have to make a million of them to satisfy the hunger of growing teenage boys. Instead, I settled on making one Big Texan sized egg roll made with phyllo dough. I think this is a better solution to hold off my famished teenage boys.
Sometimes being forced to make a recipe adaption can create some of the happiest accidents ever. This recipe was a hit as it had all of the TEX MEX flavors, chewy cheese and spices traditional in the wraps but baked inside a crispy but chewy phyllo roll. It took me less than 30 minutes to create this little wonder. I served this with some Spanish rice and beans and fresh salsa for a full meal but this would also be great as an appetizer. Ole from Hong Kong!!!
TEX MEX Chicken Phyllo
Serves 4 adults or 2 hungry teenagers (makes 2 Texan sized egg rolls)
- 2 slices of frozen puff pastry dough
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 garlic crushed and chopped
- 1 pound skinless boneless chicken breasts cut up into ½ inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix ( you can make your own by mixing together the following;1 tablespoon chili powder, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, ¼ teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon paprika, 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin, 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper) or you can use the pre-made dried taco seasoning mix in your grocery store.
- 1 chopped jalapeno
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
- Some other great ingredients may be.. (black beans, refried beans, corn, tomatoes, cilantro, sweet bell peppers, ground beef or even fish instead of chicken, salsa, whatever you little heart desires.) I just had to adjust my recipe to make the teenage boys happy.
- 1 beaten egg for glaze
- Garnishes with fresh tomato salsa, salsa verde, avocados, sour cream or any TEX MEX toppings your little heart desires.
Step 1: Preheat oven to 190 degrees Celsius or 375 F.
Step 2: Remove the frozen phyllo dough from freezer and set on counter to unthaw.
Step 3: In a medium pan add the olive oil, onions and garlic and saute until slightly softened. Add chicken and cook for about 5 minutes or until no longer pink. Add Taco seasoning mix stir well, turn off heat and set aside.
Step 4: Lay out phyllo dough flat on the counter.
Step 5: Add ½ cooked chicken mixture on the phyllo dough making sure to leave about 1 inch with no filling around the edges. Repeat process to create second roll.
Step 6: Sprinkle chicken mixture with jalapeno, cheese or any other yummy toppings you desire.
Step 7: Roll up the TEX MEX chicken Phyllo Wrap. Start with one end of the wrap and roll up, fold over the sides and continue to roll up like a tortilla. Press edges to seal the Texan Sized Egg Roll. Place on greased baking sheet.
Step 8: Brush tops of Texan sized Eggrolls with egg wash.
Step 9: Bake in oven for about 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
Step 10: Garnish with fresh tomato salsa, salsa verde, avocados, sour cream or any TEX MEX toppings your little heart desires. Ole!
Ingredients
- phyllo dough -
- chicken -
- cheddar cheese -
- taco seasoning -
- jalapeno -
- Tex Mex toppings -
thecompletecookbook says
I know your pain - living and buying groceries in Mauritius was exactly the same! Brilliant creation you made.
🙂 Mandy
Healthy World Cuisine says
You buy ONLY what you can carry! Take Care, BAM
Tandy says
it is great when you can adapt and think on your feet (no pun intended re the chicken feet LOL) At least you have an open and positive mind about your shopping 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Tandy. Did you ever go shopping and just buy some food item because you had no idea what it was and wanted to learn more about a certain cuisine?
Dawn says
I am not sure I like the look of those chicken feet, but the end product looks great!
Healthy World Cuisine says
I did not use the chicken feet in my dish. It was just what my camera saw while browsing the grocery isles. I used organic USA skinless boneless chicken breasts. No worries.
Dawn says
Ah, ok - I was wondering how you got all that chicken meat out of them!
Courtney says
I love happy accidents in the kitchen! These look very tasty - and perfect for hungry teenagers. 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Courtney. Teenage boys can pack away the food. It is amazing. I think they must have 2 hallow legs I do not know where they put it all. Take care, BAM
Charles says
Haha, that's a mighty egg-roll. Not sure if I'd be bring home chicken feet myseltf though 😀
Healthy World Cuisine says
Charles you and are on on the same page with chicken feet. I only eat them when I am pressed to do so in some Chinese business meeting dinner and even then I hide them under my rice....
samology says
LOL at the chicken feet caption. hehe.. wow! I didn't know HK supermarkets were so poorly organized!! I mean.... bread and milk should always be available! I understand if they don't carry tortilla wraps at times.. anyway! Sometimes improvisation can give birth to the best ideas!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Samantha, thanks for stopping by my website so that I could find yours. As Hong Kong is an Island most of their food depends on delivery from other countries and if anything upsets that delivery process the whole HK island cannot be without basic products.
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise says
I love the family sized eggroll! Beats making a million little ones and having huz tell me these are only appetizers
Healthy World Cuisine says
You are so reading my mind! My hubby would have told me the same thing, now where is the main course? LOL
Choc Chip Uru says
This Texas roll looks awesome! With a quick veg adjustment I could devour this flaky pastry 😀
Thanks 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Healthy World Cuisine says
Dear CCU, the flaky crust was the best part. One happy little accident. I hope you have a super day. BAM
{Main St. Cuisine} says
I think your plan B looks pretty amazing! When I've shopped with my Mother-In-Law at the Asian markets, I've seen all manner of interesting things in the meat case. She's kept it pretty tame for us with the usual pork and fish dishes over the years.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Just as a reassurance to my readers, I do not use the meats, pork or poultry from the fresh wet markets in HK but instead purchase meats from Australia or US. This is just my personal choice. If you are reading this and you and have good results with the meats, in the wet markets in China, hats off to you. I do however sometimes use the fresh wet markets for fresh fish, veggies and fruits. It is difficult to balance safety and freshness here in HK. I try to buy organic when I can or when it is available, but what really is organic by HK standards? I do not think I am the only person that struggles with this dilemma. How do you deal with this issue? Take Care, BAM
kitchenriffs says
What a pain shopping must be! Although I know what you mean - a long time ago I lived in Morocco, and at that time there were no supermarkets. But at least there was a central market that was fairly close to where I lived where I could find most things, although I had to go to a dozen different vendors. Anyway, love the idea of a giant eggroll. And TexMex - love the concept. Good recipe - thanks.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Yes, it can be completely frustrating when they do not have the basic items in the stores. During Chinese New Year Week, I had to go to 3 different grocery stores just to find bread. I do not buy Chinese brand milks for all of the obvious reasons. Stores rely on Australia and US shipments and sometimes they are just all out, due to bad inventory planning. However, they have some of the most wonderful fresh wet markets here and we are blessed with fresh seafood and veggies. I never make a grocery list as this is a fruitless task, instead I just think on my feet. Take care, BAM
promenadeplantings says
I kind of like being made to think on my feet when the shops don't have X and Y but have A and B, it makes me think on my feet a bit more, but no milk would be infuriating!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Yes, it can be completely frustrating when they do not have the basic items in the stores. During Chinese New Year Week, I had to go to 3 different grocery stores just to find bread. I do not buy Chinese brand milks for all of the obvious reasons. Stores rely on Australia and US shipments and sometimes they are just all out, due to bad inventory planning. However, they have some of the most wonderful fresh wet markets here and we are blessed with fresh seafood and veggies. I never make a grocery list as this is a fruitless task, instead I just think on my feet.
Preena @ A Teaspoon of Turmeric says
Looks good, a whole meal in one. Will make it vegetarian!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Black Beans, rice, corn, chilies, tomatoes, onions and cilantro with some spices and you are in business. Take care, BAM
wok with ray says
That is huge! I would share that with someone else but after one bite. . . maybe I won't! 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Ray. I think I also want to try this same recipe using egg roll wrappers fried with salsa dip for us adults. Ray, I was thinking about you the other day and wanted to ask how can I find banana leafs to cook with here in HK? I have been to many of the Philippine, Thai and Indian specialty stores here in HK but they usually only carry the nonperishables. I am really am craving some steamed fish wrapped in some fresh banana leaves. Do you use any online ordering services? Take care, BAM
rgingco says
Wow, that is going to be tough, Bobbi. Even here in the states, we can only buy them frozen but it works for wrapping fish for steaming or grilling. I'll check around and let you know.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Ray. So you can buy fresh banana leaves in the frozen food section in US, very interesting? You have to admit having some steamed fish in fresh banana leaves sounds like the perfect way to start the spring season. I just love the flavors. Have a super weekend. Take care, BAM
Wendi says
It never occurred to me that grocery shopping abroad would be so challenging.
And what exactly does one do with chicken feet?
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Wendi, Oh how I miss the once a week shopping with a big car and not having to deal with daily shopping for the essentials. It is a huge time savings, luxury and convenience we have in the States. However, many countries, like China, we do daily shopping at the markets and this is a way of life. I think this is the case in many countries that rely on public transportation as you only buy as much as you can carry. I do not particularly like chicken feet but it is a delicacy here in HK. They prepare them numerous ways such as hot and spicy dim sum, fried, and in soups just to name a few. Take care, BAM
zestybeandog says
That is a burrito of an egg roll! Def Tx sized, but hey everything's bigger in TX! 😉
Healthy World Cuisine says
Everything is bigger in Texas. Actually this might be too small for Texan standards. I should take a poll... LOL
zestybeandog says
you may be right.... hahha