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 -
bakingmehungry says
I thought it was so funny to see the Texas roll and then the photo of chicken feet. I am used to the texture and flavor since our father loves them at dim sum, however chicken feet make many people squeamish!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Mixing TEX MEX and dim sum like Chinese dishes in the same recipe does not quite cut it. "Chicken feet are kind of bony to get a full serving of chicken meat out of them LOL I would agree that most of my audience this far are shocked about me posting a picture of chicken feet. I am glad to hear that you are more open to the idea. Have a great weekend. BAM
bitsandbreadcrumbs says
This looks like so much fun to make and to eat. I'm glad you didn't use the chicken feet in the dish. I've seen them in a lot of our markets, but they are one of the weirder ingredients out there...to me at least.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Chicken feet have a very strange texture well at least for me. They are a delicacy in China and most people love them. On the days that they are served, I am a vegetarian for the day... LOL Take Care, BAM
Jo-Lyn says
I did I did!!! =)
Healthy World Cuisine says
Glad to hear you fixed it! Welcome back!
Jo-Lyn says
I think I may have fixed my problem!! =)
Purely.. Kay says
This really looks delicious.. I think you did such a superb job with this. I've seen chicken feet before, but my feet seems to run away from them when I see them lol.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Dear Kay, I think that is a very common response when referring to eating chicken feet. It is the whole texture thing for many.... Have a great weekend. BAM
Shumaila says
This looks absolutely great! I am just about to sleep and I did the mistake of checking your blog, now I am craving for something to eat! By the way the chicken feet did help in curbing a part of those hunger pangs! And thanks for the homemade taco seasoning. I need to make this!
Healthy World Cuisine says
I am still laughing. So another person who is not so fond of chicken feet... trust me there is never enough rice on my plate to try to hide these under during business meetings. Have a great weekend and a good rest. Take care, BAM
Just A Smidgen says
I can exactly why a teenager would devour these! That last photo of it all wrapped up and being brushed with egg wash ... wow, much better in the Tex Mex size I think!!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Smidge. So do your teenagers eat you out of house and home too?
Karen says
As they always say "where there is a will, there's a way. I bet your creation was delicious. You may start a new food trend.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Karen. You never know maybe there will be a new TEX MEX crave that hits Asia. Actually, there are only a couple of Mexican restaurants in HK that serve this kind of cuisine. I don't know the actual reason why it is not very big in HK as they have restaurant cuisines from all over the world here. Maybe it is because it is difficult to pick up a taco with chopsticks. LOL. Have a great day.
Kathleen Richardson says
I enlarged each photo and, OMG, I wanted to dive right in! Lovely recipe. Thanks, too, for the homemade taco seasoning mix. This column is a another hit, BAM!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Are you talking about the Texan sized egg roll or the chicken feet? LOL I know that in many parts of the world taco seasoning is not available but simple spices are, so whatever continent you may be residing in, you can still enjoy a little TEX MEX. Have a great day Kathleen!
Kathleen Richardson says
Not so much the chicken feet... LOL!
ceciliag says
That was a great post, i want to go shopping with you again! isn't it fantastic what other cultures eat.. I am glad you found something big and hearty for the boys, we don't want them fading away over there.. c ps i loved the shocking shot of the feet i think you rather llike to shock people .. it is that sense of humour of yours! he he he.. c
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Cecilia, I think that is a good point maybe I should post a day in the life of food shopping in HK and let everyone take a look about. You might find it fascinating, interesting or just plain gross. I guess that is where the humor comes in. Take Care, BAM
gardenfreshtomatoes says
Beautiful recipe! I might use Phyllo or puff pastry, even though I can get tortillas!
I miss real Tex-Mex food...nothing comes close up here!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Dear Marie, I guess TEX MEX is not a real big thing in Rhode Island or even Paris. LOL Maybe this dish has a bit of the French influence with the pastry dough. I guess you and I will have to take a quick trip to Texas to get our TEX MEX fix.
gardenfreshtomatoes says
I'd say, "Let's go!" but the thought of dragging a two-year-old either by plane or by car is a bit off-putting...Not exactly how I'd pictured this part of my life 😉 My DAD would love it if we just showed up at his place, though!
filingawaycupcakes says
These look delicious, the feet totally shocked me tho!
Healthy World Cuisine says
I am glad I can keep my readers amused or at least experience a little of Hong Kong with me.