What's for Dinner? Sausage, White Bean and Kale Stew!

Hello!! Yes, it had been ages since I last posted. Between caring for my 2 small boys, running a small business and keeping up with household stuff, I have little time to cook very interesting meals anymore, let alone blog about them. I do get a nice meal in every now and then that is blogworthy, and have photos to prove it, but then never get around to writing the post. Maybe someday I will catch up with all the backlog!

This recipe came from my sister-in-law, Lauren. We swap recipes a lot and this one is a keeper. It is really healthy and really easy, which is what I primarily look for now days. Hopefully this warm, hearty meal will officially chase the cold weather out of here and finally welcome Spring! Cheers!

Chicken Sausage, White Bean and Kale Stew

Serves 4

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 16-20 oz. pre-cooked chicken sausage links, sliced
• 1 large onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon water
• Pinch of chili flakes
• 2 rosemary sprigs, leaves stripped and minced
• 6 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 1 bunch or bag of kale, thoroughly washed and stems and ribs removed, chopped into 1-inch pieces
• Salt and pepper
• 2-3 cups chicken stock
• 2 16-oz. cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

Heat a medium skillet or Dutch oven with olive oil. Brown sausage over high heat until golden. Remove the meat from the pan. While the pan is still warm, sauté onion and garlic in the sausage renderings with water (to prevent them from getting too dark). Once the onions become translucent, add chili flakes, rosemary, thyme and kale. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and sauté for 2 to 4 minutes, or until the kale begins to wilt. Add 2 cups chicken stock, reserved sausage and white beans. Cover with a lid and simmer for 30 minutes to 2 hours, or until the kale has cooked down and is tender, and the liquid has reduced (add more liquid during cooking as needed). Adjust seasoning, serve and enjoy!

What's for Dinner? Curried Cauliflower, Chickpeas and Chicken!

I got this recipe in my inbox today from a site I subscribe to (Chow.com) and it really caught my eye.  Theirs called for tofu, which I am not a big fan of, so adapted it and inserted chicken instead.  It turned out really great. Ok, now for the less adventurous of you, this one might sound weird.  But I promise you, it is really good! Although if you are like my mother and detest Indian food (or think you do, like she does), then maybe it isn't for you.  But in our house, it is a keeper...Sully even went back for seconds.  It does call for some spices that most of you probably don't have (we, however have about every spice known to man, which helps!).  Stores like Whole Foods and Fresh Market sell spices in bulk, so you can buy just a little of these so you don't have to break the bank on spices that you will only use a teaspoon of.  Recipes like this one really won't work without the correct spices.  Ok, enough spice rant!  I hope you give this one a try.  It's healthy, easy and delicious!  Enjoy!

Curried Cauliflower, Chickpeas and Chicken
Adapted from Chow.com
Serves 4
Printable recipe

• 3 TBSP olive oil, divided
• 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
• 1 medium to large onion, diced
• 2 TBSP grated ginger (about a 2-3 inch piece)
• 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 tsp Garam Masala spice
• 1/2 tsp Turmeric
• 1/8 tsp Cayenne Pepper
• 1 15-oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 head cauliflower, cut into medium florets
• 1 cup chicken broth, divided
• 2 large or 3 small chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/3 cup flour
• juice of 1/2 lime
• chopped cilantro (to garnish)
• jasmine rice

In a Dutch oven or heavy skillet, heat 2 TBSP olive oil over medium heat.  Add fennel seeds and toast until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add onion and ginger and sauté until they being to brown, about 8-10 minutes. Add garlic and spices and sauté another minute more.  Add chickpeas and cauliflower and stir to combine well.  Add 1/2 cup chicken broth.  Put lid on pan/pot and reduce heat to simmer.  Simmer about 10-15 minutes, until the cauliflower is just tender.

While this cooks, in a separate pan, heat last TBSP of oil.  Toss chicken with flour and add to pan.  Saute until browned and cooked almost through.

When chicken is done and cauliflower is soft, add chicken into cauliflower mixture and gently combine. Add the remaining chicken broth and the juice of the lime and let simmer a few minutes more, until a slightly thickened sauce forms.  Serve over jasmine rice and top with chopped cilantro and Sriracha hot sauce (if desired). Enjoy!

What's for Dinner? White Chicken Chili!

First thing's first...HAPPY NEW YEAR!  It's been a hectic holiday season, so I apologize for dropping off for a bit. We had my family all here for the first half of Christmas Week, and then Sully, Finn and I flew to New Orleans for the second part.  It was crazy, but a lot of fun.  We had some really good meals over the past few weeks and I have lots to share with you but I will start with our dinner tonight.

Here in the South, we have an "arctic air mass" rolling in.  Considering this past weekend it was 72 degrees and I was really hot (some of that MIGHT have been the pregnancy), it was a seriously rude awakening when the high today was 39 and the winds were gusting up to 30 mph. Brrrrrr!  It made me want chili and white chicken chili was it! This is a really good recipe that is perfect for a cold winter's night.  Give it a try and cozy up by the fire.  Here's to a great 2012!!

And by the way, if you cook any of my recipes, please let me know how they turned out!  Good or bad!  I love hearing what people made and any feedback is appreciated. Cheers!

White Chicken Chili
Serves 6
Printable Recipe

• 1 TBSP olive oil
• 2 medium onions
• 3 chicken breasts (about 1 lb raw, diced in small pieces)
• 4-5 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsp cumin
• 2 tsp oregano
• 2 4-oz cans diced green chilies
• 2 14.5-oz cans Cannellini or Great Northern beans, drained
• 4 cups chicken stock (I used low sodium)
• 1 cup shredded cheese (Monterrey Jack works well or I used low fat 4-cheese Mexican)
• 3 TBSP half and half (can delete this if you like, but it adds a nice touch of richness to the chili)
• cheese, green onion and sour cream for garnish

In a large soup pot, heat oil.  Add onion and sauté until they begin to soften.  Add in chicken and sauté until browned and cooked through.  Add garlic and cook one minute more.  Add in cumin, oregano green chilies and beans and mix together.  Add broth and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer over low heat for about one hour until chili starts to thicken. Add cheese and half and half and continue simmering until desired thickness is reached. Serve with garnishes and enjoy!

What's for Dinner? Divan Stuffed Chicken!

Chicken Divan is an old favorite of mine.  It is one of my go-tos when I can't think of anything else to make or if I just want a quick, one-dish meal.  Tonight I was in the mood to stuff a chicken breast (for some weird reason) and I thought that a Divan-like stuffing would be really good.  It turned out way better than I expected.  The curry-flavored filling inside the breaded chicken breast tasted just like the casserole version, but a little more sophisticated (aka, better)!  This kicks the old Chicken Divan up to the next level.  I will definitely making this again.  Don't let the stuffing process intimidate you!  I thought I was done for...I accidentally cut all the way through one of my breasts and had filling oozing out in every direction.  But I rolled up my sleeves and completed the breading process and by the time I had the chicken in the skillet, it all came together and was fine.  Just go with it!  Give it a try...you'll be a Stuffed Divan convert!

Divan Stuffed Chicken
Serves 4
Download PDF of Recipe

1 crown broccoli, cut into small florettes and steamed until soft
1/2 can cream of chicken soup (I use the Healthy Request version)
1/2 teaspoon curry powder (add a little more to taste if you like the curry flavor)
2 TBSP light sour cream
4 slices cheddar cheese (could also sprinkle shredded cheese instead)
4 chicken breasts
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp season salt or Cajun spice
1 tsp fresh ground black pepper
1 egg, beaten
1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
2 TBSP olive oil

Preheat oven to 375.

In a small bowl, mix together broccoli, soup, curry powder and sour cream.  Set aside.

In three shallow bowls or plates, prepare the breading station.  In the first bowl add flour, Cajun spice (or whatever spices you like), and pepper.  Mix well.  In second bowl, add egg and scramble well.  In third bowl, add bread crumbs.

For each chicken breast, make a slice horizontally through the breast, being careful not to slice all the way through (slice it the way you would open a book).  Peel back the top of the breast and stuff each breast with 1/4 of the broccoli mixture.  Lay the cheese over the mixture (I used cheese slices and halved them so they would fit better) and pull top of the chicken over everything and press together (try and get everything to stay inside, but this is tricky!).  Once the breasts are stuffed, roll in flour, then egg then bread crumbs.

In a large skillet, heat olive oil until hot.  Add breasts and saute on each side until they are golden (but not cooked through), about 2-4 minutes on each side, depending on how hot your stove gets!

Either put skillet in oven (if it is oven proof), or transfer breasts to a baking dish lined with foil and sprayed and cook until all the way done, about 12-18 minutes, depending on how thick your breasts are.  Remove from oven and serve with mashed potatoes or yellow rice.  Enjoy!

What's for Dinner? Chicken Stroganoff!

I've had mushrooms on the mind lately.  I don't know how my sister and I can differ so greatly on something...she absolutely abhors them, and I love them with a passion!  The past couple of times I have been into the Fresh Market, they have had some awesome mushrooms there.  Here in Wilmington, good, wild mushrooms are hard to come by.  But I have recently gotten chanterelles, huge shiitakes, oysters, enokis, etc. etc. For this recipe, I used shiitakes and baby portobellos.  The classic version of this dish uses beef, and if you want to use that, great.  But chicken is quicker and healthier and I just prefer it, most of the time.  This is a really quick and easy dish to make that is healthy and hearty.  If you are into mushrooms, like me, you can't go wrong!  Try it and enjoy!

Delicious 'shooms!

Chicken Stroganoff
Serves 3-4

2 TBSP olive oil, divided
1 medium onion, diced
16 oz sliced mushrooms of your choice
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (just under a pound total)
3 TBSP flour
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup white wine
6-8 springs fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried
1 TBSP butter or spread
1 cup light sour cream
salt and pepper to taste

In a large skillet, heat 1 TBSP olive oil on medium high heat and add onion.  Saute for several minutes, until onion starts to soften.  Add mushrooms and cook until they become browned and soft.  Add garlic and saute one minute more.  Reserve mixture to separate bowl and put aside.  In the same skillet, heat the rest of the oil.  Add chicken and saute until browned and cooked through.  Add back in onion and mushroom mixture.  Sprinkle flour over everything and stir to coat well.  Add chicken broth, wine and thyme and stir.  Simmer for 5-10 minutes until mixture becomes thick.  Turn off heat and stir in butter and sour cream.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Serve over hot buttered egg noodles or rice.  Enjoy!

Download PDF of Recipe

What's for Dinner? Chicken Paprika!

I should really rename this blog "What's for Dinner Sully and Angie?" because my friend Angie is an amazing cook and she frequently helps me with my recipe planning.  She came across this recipe in the newspaper recently and told me I had to try it.  It was originally called "Chicken Sputnik" and it was a recipe contributed by actress Rachel Bilson of all people (random!).  I have changed it a bit and renamed it, because I don't like the name Sputnik.  So there.  This is a really easy recipe that is hearty and has a wonderful flavor.  And it's a one-pan deal, so not much cleaning to do, which is always a bonus!  If you are squeamish about chicken with bones, you can use boneless chicken breasts or thighs.  Just reduce the cooking time because without the added fat from the bones and skin, the meat will dry out if cooked for too long.  I have to say, I'm not usually a fan of bones, but they did contribute to a really rich and delicious flavor that I am not sure you could achieve without.  But, try it the other way, if you must!  Hopefully you will find this chicken (previously known as Sputnik) out of this world!  (Ha, ha...thanks, Angie!)

Chicken Paprika
Serves 3

1 TBSP olive oil
1 TBSP butter or spread
1/4 cup flour
3 bone-in, skin-on chicken breast halves
1 large onion, halved and sliced in 1/2 inch slices
2 large potatoes, peeled and sliced in 1/2 inch slices
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 TBSP Hungarian sweet paprika
3/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese (like Locatelli)
1 tsp salt (add more if needed)
fresh ground pepper
3/4 cup cooking sherry
1 cup chicken broth

In a large dutch oven or cast iron pot, heat butter and oil until hot.  Coat each side of the chicken with the salt, pepper and flour. Add chicken to pot and cook on one side until browned. Flip chicken.  Add onion, garlic and potato to the top of chicken.  Sprinkle on paprika, cheese, salt and pepper.  Add sherry and broth around the sides and cover.  Simmer for 1-1.5 hours until chicken is done and potatoes are very soft (but not mushy!).  Add more paprika and cheese, if desired.  Serve and enjoy!

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What's for Dinner? Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce over Polenta!

Today I had polenta on the brain.  I have no idea why, but it was one of the first things that popped in to my head this morning when I was thinking about what to make for dinner.  I haven't had it in a while, but love it.  I mean, it tastes a lot like grits and what good Southerner doesn't like grits?  This meal, even though it sounds fancy, is pretty easy to make.  If you really wanted to cut corners, you could cut out the pan-frying of the polenta and just bake it while you cook the rest.  This meal is dedicated to my sister who looooooves mushrooms.  Just kidding, she hates them with a fervent passion.  Good thing she doesn't live close enough to come to dinner on a regular basis because I adore them.  I hope you do, too!  Enjoy!

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce over Polenta
Serves 4

1 tube, pre-prepared polenta (you could make your own, but I kept it easy tonight!)
3 TBSP butter, divided
3 TBSP olive oil, divided
1 lb chicken cutlets (or you can pound out regular breasts very thin)
1/2 cup flour
3 fresh rosemary sprigs, leaves stripped and minced
salt and pepper to taste
1 shallot, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 packages fresh assorted gourmet mushrooms (mix of cremini, shitake, oyster, etc.)
1 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup mascarpone cheese (find this in the gourmet cheese section)
2 TBSP fresh minced parsley

Preheat oven to 300.  Slice polenta into 1/2 inch rounds.  In a large skillet, heat 1 TBSP butter and 1 TBSP oil.  When hot, add polenta slices.  Saute 5 minutes on one side, or until golden and flip.  Saute second side until golden.  Transfer to a baking sheet and place in oven.

While polenta bakes, combine flour, half the rosemary and salt and pepper.  Dredge chicken in flour until well-covered on each side.  Use same skillet as polenta (scrape out any polenta bits).  Heat another TBSP of butter and 1 TBSP of oil.  Fry chicken on one side until golden.  Flip and saute the other side until chicken in cooked through.  Reserve on a plate.  Add remaining butter and oil to pan.  Add another 2 TBSP of the seasoned flour to pan and stir.  Add shallot and saute 1-2 minutes until they begin to soften.  Add mushrooms and saute until they are soft.  Add garlic and remaining rosemary and saute for one minute more.  Add broth and stir.  Let cook until sauce starts to thicken.  If too thick, add more broth.  Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in mascarpone and remove from heat.  Add parsley.

Remove polenta from oven.  Add 3-4 pieces of polenta, a quarter of the chicken and a quarter of the mushroom sauce to each plate.  Enjoy.

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What's for Dinner? Easy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole!

Tonight is part two, continued from last night's dinner.  As you recall, from yesterday, I used half of a rotisserie chicken for my Biscuit Pot Pie.  Tonight, I used the other half in a casserole that is really quick and easy.  Good thing, because I had an old college friend, her husband and her baby drop by for a reunion and playdate.  When she left Sully and I were starving and didn't feel like cooking anything fancy.  Perfect! My friend Angie and I always talk about what we are making for dinner when we are at work, and she kind of came up with something similar to this when she had some leftover chicken to use.  It is quick, easy and yummy.  If you are looking for a no-fuss dinner, this is a keeper!  Enjoy!

Easy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
Serves 4-5

• 1 box Rice-A-Roni, chicken flavor, cooked to directions on box
• 1 large bunch broccoli, cut into florets and steamed until just soft (or cooked in microwave)
• 1/2 rotisserie chicken, picked from skin and bone and chopped
• 1 can, cream of chicken soup (I use the low fat)
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs

Preheat oven to 350.  In a large mixing bowl, fold together cooked rice, chicken, soup and sour cream. Add salt and pepper to taste.  Spoon into 9x9 baking dish, coated with cooking spray.  Top with cheese and then breadcrumbs.  Spray top with more cooking spray.  Bake for 20-25 minutes until hot and bubbly.  Broil for 2-3 minutes to get top browned and crusty. Enjoy.

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What's for Dinner? Biscuit Pot Pie!

So, now that it is getting colder out (okay, okay, it was 82 today, but this morning it was 65 and felt awesome!) I am starting to crave more comfort-y foods.  I haven't made this yet this year, so I thought it was a good time to pull it out.  This is one of our favorites.  It is a pot pie, except instead of a thick pie crust topping, it has biscuits.  It is healthier for you and simple to make.  You can make it even easier if you substitute half a rotisserie chicken for the raw chicken breasts (I did this tonight, and tomorrow will have another recipe using the rest of the chicken) and frozen veggies (I use fresh, but nothing wrong with cutting corners!).  Give it a try, it is perfect for fall, even if it is still warm out!  Enjoy!

Biscuit Pot Pie

Serves 5-6

• 2 T olive oil
• 3/4 lb boneless chicken breasts (OR 1/2 rotisserie chicken, white and dark meat, meat pulled from bones and skin and chopped)
• 2 T butter or spread
  1 medium onion, diced
  3 stalks celery, diced or thinly sliced
• 8 medium white mushrooms, quartered
  3 carrots, peeled and diced
• 1/3 cup frozen peas (if you want to make it a bit easier, omit fresh carrot and use a frozen veggie medley here)
  1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 cup half & half (or heavy cream or milk)
• kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
• 6 sprigs fresh thyme
• 4-5 dashes of Tabasco (optional)
• cayenne pepper to taste (optional)
• 1 can refrigerated buttermilk biscuits (don't use the huge "Grands" ones...just regular size)

Preheat oven to 350. Heat 1 TBSP oil in skillet with an oven-proof handle.  Add chicken (may slice chicken before hand to reduce cooking time).  Sauté until chicken is cooked through.  Transfer to cutting board, let cool and chop (if using rotisserie chicken, omit this first part.) In same skillet, heat butter/oil over medium-high heat.  Add onion, celery, carrot and mushrooms and sauté until soft.  Add garlic and saute one minute more.  Sprinkle flour over veggies and cook for about a minute.  Slowly pour in chicken broth, stirring constantly.  Simmer until mixture is very thick, about 3-6 minutes.  Add in half & half. Add more chicken broth if necessary.  Add chicken and frozen peas into vegetable mixture and bring to a low boil.  Remove from heat (mixture should be thick).  Add salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, thyme, Tabasco and cayenne.  Place uncooked biscuits on top of mixture, evenly spaced, about ½-1 inch apart until top is fully covered.  Put skillet in oven (if no oven-proof skillet, pour mixture in a glass baking dish before topping with biscuits) and bake according to biscuit instructions until biscuits are cooked and brown on top and mixture is hot and bubbling (I found that it takes longer than the biscuit instructions...up to 10 minutes longer...just watch them!).

 Download PDF of Recipe

What's for Dinner? Chicken Noodle Soup!

We're back from Grand Cayman, and it was an amazing trip.  Just what we needed...sun, sand, and baby-free laziness for 4 days (thanks mom and dad for making it possible)!  We had a fabulous time, but were happy to come back and see our little cutie.  Somewhere in between Grand Cayman and Wilmington, I contracted a pretty nasty cold (and really attracted friends on the plane by sneezing and sniffling the whole way home).  I then I had to drive up to Raleigh to pick up Finn from my parent's house.  While I was there, my wonderful mother was so sweet to cook me up a batch of chicken soup, sure to help me feel better.  I brought it back to Wilmington with me and we had it for dinner tonight and I do believe I am already on the road to recovery.  This soup recipe is a cross between hers and mine, and it is a keeper...make it any time you feel under the weather, or if it's just cold outside and you want something warm and comforting.  Served with a grilled cheese--you have the perfect meal.  Enjoy!  And glad to be back (sort of)!

Chicken Noodle Soup
Serves 4-5

• 2 large chicken breasts, or 1/2 rotisserie chicken, meat pulled from the bones and shredded
• 4-6 cups chicken stock or broth (can use low sodium to better control the salt)
• 1 TBSP olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 celery ribs, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced (or the equivalent amount baby carrots)
• 1 carton sliced white mushrooms
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp poultry seasoning
• 6-8 sprigs fresh thyme (do use fresh here...it really makes the flavor)
• 1 15-oz can cannellini beans, drained
• 2 cups egg noodles
• 2 cups baby spinach
• salt and pepper to taste

If using raw chicken breasts, in a medium saucepan, add 2 cups chicken broth and boil chicken until done.  Shred chicken into large pieces with two forks and leave in broth.  Set aside.

Eat your soup!

In large soup pot, add olive oil and saute onion, celery, carrot and mushrooms until soft.  Add garlic and saute 1 minute more.  Add reserved shredded chicken and 4 cups broth.  Bring to simmer. Add poultry seasoning, thyme and beans.  Continue to simmer for 20 minutes to 2 hours (however much time you have!).  Add more broth or water if it becomes to thick. Five to ten minutes before serving, add egg noodles and spinach and turn heat up just a bit (again, watch liquid content...if it needs more liquid, add more!).  When noodles are tender, taste and season with salt and pepper.  Enjoy, and feel better if you are sick! :)

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What's for Dinner? Taco Bowls!

*So, Sully gets all the credit for this one, because it was his brilliant idea.*  We had some chicken marinating that we needed to use, and I wanted something healthy (it might be due to the fact I had a big Philly Cheese Steak with fries and Ranch for lunch...hmmmm: you think I am pregnant or something?).  Sully thought we should try to bake a tortilla in the shape of a bowl (kind of like how they do it in Mexican restaurants...only theirs is deep-fried and WAAAAY bad for you!). We weren't sure if would get crispy enough in the oven, but it did, and it came out really good (it would also be good with homemade tortillas from your local Hispanic Market--they usually sell them for cheap). You still get the crispy carbs in your salad, but without the artery-clogging after effects.  You can layer in your favorite ingredients and you have an easy, healthy and tasty meal. Give it a try!

Grilled Chicken Taco Bowl
Serves 4

• 4 large flour tortillas
• olive oil
• salt
• 2 chicken breasts (if you think about it in advance, marinate the chicken overnight in your favorite marinade)
• refried beans, warmed in the microwave
• shredded cheese (if you are feeling authentic, use crumbled Cojita, or any kind will do)
• diced tomatoes
• jalepenos
• salsa
• guacamole
• sour cream
• cilantro

Preheat oven to 475. Brush tortillas on both sides with a small amount of olive oil. Sprinkle one side with salt.  Place each tortilla in an oven-safe bowl (form to bowl shape).  Place 4 bowls on a cookie sheet.  Bake in the oven for 10 minutes.  After 10 minutes, check the tortillas. If they seem to be crisping at this point, carefully take the tortillas out of the bowls and flip upside down and place back on cookie sheet.  Back another 3-4 minutes until golden (just keep an eye on them...every oven cooks a little differently).  If not browned, broil each side a couple of seconds until they are lightly browned.

Meanwhile, grill chicken breasts.  Let cool slightly and chop up to desired size.

Layer desired ingredients in tortillas bowls.  Enjoy!

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What's for Dinner? Chicken Marsala!

Sorry I fell off the wagon last week.  Not sure why, but we just didn't cook a lot...we had a lot going on!  But I'm back, baby.  Tonight, I had two containers of mushrooms in the fridge I wanted to use (I tend to buy multiples of things because I forget that I have already bought them...anyone sympathize?). Chicken Marsala is a really easy and yummy dish that was perfect.  It really only takes about 15 minutes to make.  Works for me!  You can use a variety of mushrooms, to fancy it up, or just use your standard whites.  I served it with green beans sauteed with shallots and we had a great, easy meal.  Give it a try. Enjoy!

Chicken Marsala
Serves 4

• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp dried (or fresh) thyme
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1-1.25 lb chicken cutlets (I buy the already pounded cutlets, but you can buy regular breasts and pound them out thin between two sheets of plastic wrap)
• 2 TBSP olive oil
• 2 TBSP butter (I use Brummel & Brown spread)
• 2, 8 oz pkg sliced mushrooms (use any varieties you like)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 3/4 cup Marsala wine
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 lb angel hair pasta (or any cut you like)

In a shallow bowl, add flour and spices and mix together.  Dredge chicken cutlets in flour mixture until well coated.  Set aside.  In a large frying pan, heat 1 TBSP oil and 1 TBSP butter until hot.  Add half chicken cutlets and saute on one side, about 3-4 minutes until golden.  Flip chicken and saute about 2 minutes more.  Reserve to plate.  Add the remaining oil and butter and chicken and repeat steps. 

In a pot, bring water to boil and add pasta.  Cook according to directions. Drain and set aside.

After chicken is done and removed from the pan, add in mushrooms.  Saute until they start to get tender.  Add garlic and saute one minute more.  From the remaining flour in bowl, sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons over mushrooms and stir to coat.  Cook 1 minute more. Add chicken broth and Marsala wine and let simmer until it begins to thicken.  Add chicken back to pan and simmer, about 5 minutes more until sauce is thick (if it gets too thick, add more broth).  Season with salt and pepper. Serve over pasta and enjoy!

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What's for Dinner? Chicken and Pepper Stirfry

Tonight, after having spent all last week with my parents, I was feeling nostalgic and wanted to cook one of my mom's recipes from when we were growing up.  Back in the day, my mom was kind of your standard Baby Boomer Housewife cook...she made simple, quick dishes (including a lot of casseroles), but all were tasty!  This recipe was one of her more "adventurous" undertakings, as Asian food was not in her normal cooking repertoire.  I had some bell peppers (from the garden of course) that I needed to use and that made me think of this.  Ahhh, "memories...like the corners of my mind" (remember the scene with Tom Hanks in "Big", anyone?).  I hope you like it!  Enjoy!

Chicken and Pepper Stirfry
Serves 4

• 1/2 cup soy sauce (can use regular, reduced sodium or a combo of both)
• 2 TBSP cooking sherry
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 3 TBSP cornstarch
• 2 TBSP oil (olive or canola), divided
• 3 chicken breasts (about a pound), cut into bite-size pieces
• 3 bell peppers, cut in thin slices (use a combo of red and green)
• 1 onion, cut in half and thinly sliced
• 1 8 oz container sliced mushrooms
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can sliced water chestnuts (optional)
• 1 cup water
• rice

In a small bowl, combine soy sauce through cornstarch and mix well.  Set aside.

Over high heat, saute chicken in large skillet and cook until brown and cooked through.  Reserve to bowl.  In same pan, add remaining oil and saute peppers, onions and mushrooms until soft, about 5 minutes.  Add garlic and water chestnuts, if using, and saute 1 minute more.

Add reserved chicken back to the pan and add sauce.  Stir to combine and cook about 1 minute.  Add water and let mixture simmer and thicken, about 5 more minutes.  When all is combines and sauce is thick, serve over rice.

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What's for Dinner? Pad Thai!

This week I'm back home visiting with my parents in Apex (the Peak of Good Living).  My uncle is also up from Miami and he inspired me to make Pad Thai tonight.  (And yes, I might be the only person in the world that goes home and cooks for my parents, instead of my parents cooking for me...ha!) He was in the Air Force and stationed in Thailand during Vietnam in the late sixties, so needless to say, he knows good Thai food--I had a lot to live up to!  When researching recipes, I found that a lot of them call for some unique ingredients like cane sugar and tamarind paste.  I tried to keep it to ingredients you can buy in a normal grocery store.  I also wanted to make it healthier, since a lot of the Thai places use a ton of oil.  I think the flavor came out great and I didn't miss the extra oil.  My uncle had two big servings, and even my Mom, who declared earlier in the day that she didn't like Pad Thai, said she loved it.  On a side note, Dad loved it as well, but wished there was tofu in it.  Sorry, Dad, keep dreaming.  Enjoy!

Pad Thai
Serves 4-5

1 lb rice noodles
1/4 cup light soy sauce
1/4 cup fish sauce
3 TBSP brown sugar
2 limes, one juiced and one cut into wedges for garnish
1 TBSP toasted sesame oil
2 TBSP peanut or canola oil, divided
3 eggs, scrambled
3 chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch green onion, sliced diagonally in 1/2 inch pieces (green and whites)
1 large handful mung bean sprouts
1 large handful pre-shredded carrots
1 large handful cilantro, chopped
1/3 cup peanuts, coarsely chopped
Sriracha hot sauce

Place the rice noodles in a bowl and cover with very hot tap water.  Let sit for 30 minutes until soft (they will still be a bit al dente, you don't want them to get soggy).

In another small bowl, stir together 1 TBSP canola/peanut oil, soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar and sesame oil.  Whisk until well combined.  Set aside.

Heat remaining oil on high in large wok or skillet, and add chicken.  Saute until brown and cooked through. Reduce heat to medium high and add garlic, white and half of green parts of onion and carrots and saute for about 1-2 minutes.  Add sauce and noodles. Thoroughly toss together and cook for about 5-10 minutes, continuously tossing.  Once noodles are soft, move some of the noodles over to the edge to make an opening in the bottom of the pan.  Pour in eggs and let them cook.  Start scraping them up and continue until they are scrambled.  Once they are fully cooked, add bean sprouts toss with the egg and pasta and make sure everything is well combined.  Remove from heat and add to serving bowl.  Top with the rest of the green onion, cilantro and chopped peanuts.  Add Sriracha hot sauce to taste for some heat.

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What's for Dinner? Thai Red Curry with Chicken and Eggplant!

We have more and more veggies sprouting up every day in our garden.  My mission for tonight: use the Japanese (Ichiban) eggplants that we have.  I have to say, I am usually not a huge fan of eggplant, but I do like it in Asian dishes for some reason (or fried, but again, what ISN'T better fried?).  I thought a curry dish sounded just about right.  This recipe turned out great (mine was a bit too salty, but I adapted the recipe to fix that issue).  It had amazing flavor and if you are a fan of Thai food...you have to give this a try (just make sure you add no extra salt to anything).  Definitely a keeper.  It isn't too spicy, even with the red curry paste, so if you want more heat, add some Sriracha hot sauce or garlic chili paste.  Enjoy!

Thai Red Curry with Chicken and Eggplant

Serves 4-6

• 1 ½ tablespoons canola oil, divided
• 1 (14-ounce) can lite coconut milk
• 3 TBSP Thai red curry paste
• 1 cup low sodium chicken stock (important to use low sodium here…there are several other ingredients that have a high salt content)
• 3 TBSP fish sauce (don’t be turned off by the smell, it tastes so much different)
• 1 TBSP lemongrass paste (found in herb section of produce dept)
• 3 kaffir lime leaves, stalked and cut into strips, optional (these can be hard to find, but they do sell bottled lime leaves in the Asian section…use about a TBSP of these already shredded leaves)
• 1 inch piece ginger, cut in half
• ½ tsp turmeric (if you don’t have this spice, just leave it out)
• 1 pound chicken cutlets, sliced into thin strips
• 3 Japanese eggplants (the purple ones that are about 10-inches long), cut in half and then sliced (if you can’t find these, use a regular eggplant and dice it up in 1-inch cubes)
• 1 ½ cups green beans, cut in half
• ½ can baby corn, cut in half
• ½ can sliced bamboo shoots (I like to julienne them, but you definitely don’t have to)
• ½ lime, juiced
• Cilantro, for garnish
• Jasmine rice 

In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp oil on high and add chicken.  Cook until browned and cooked through.  Reserve to bowl.  In same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the rest of the oil and the coconut milk and bring to boil. Add curry paste and stir until well combined (with no lumps). Add chicken stock, fish sauce, lemongrass paste, lime leaves (if using), ginger and turmeric. Bring back to a boil and then add the reserved chicken and the rest of the ingredients except lime juice and cilantro. Reduce heat and simmer about 30-45 minutes until the eggplant and beans are tender and the liquid reduces down a bit (the longer you cook it, the better!).

Squeeze lime juice into curry mixture and give a stir.  Spoon curry over hot rice and sprinkle with chopped cilantro.  Enjoy!

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