Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Indian-Spiced Chicken Pitas

INDIAN SPICED CHICKEN PITAS

INGREDIENTS
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed
1 1/2 teaspoons garam masala , (see Tip), divided
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1 cup thinly sliced seeded cucumber
3/4 cup nonfat plain yogurt
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro , or mint
2 teaspoons lemon juice
Freshly ground pepper , to taste
4 6-inch whole-wheat pitas, warmed
1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
2 small or 1 large tomato, sliced
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion

PREPARATION
Preheat grill to medium-high or position rack in upper third of oven and preheat broiler. If grilling, oil the grill rack (see Tip). If broiling, coat a broiler pan with cooking spray.
Sprinkle chicken with 1 teaspoon garam masala and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Place the chicken on the grill rack or prepared pan and cook until no longer pink in the center and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 165°F, 4 to 8 minutes per side, depending on the size of the breast. Transfer the chicken to a clean cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine cucumber, yogurt, cilantro (or mint), lemon juice, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon garam masala and 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper in a small bowl. Thinly slice the chicken. Split open the warm pitas and fill with the chicken, yogurt sauce, lettuce, tomato and onion.

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Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Spanish Rice and Taco Seasoning

1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
2-3 tsp taco seasoning
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup tomato sauce
2 cups chicken broth
Directions

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat and add rice. Cook, stirring constantly, until puffed and golden.
Stir in onions and cook until tender. Stir in tomato sauce, seasoning and chicken broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

Here is a delicious taco seasoning recipe I use:

1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
Directions

In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. Store in an airtight container.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Simple Orange Chicken

Simple Orange Chicken with Broccoli
Printable Version with Picture
Printable Version

*Serves 4

1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tablespoon minced or grated fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch strips
Salt and peper
2 cups fresh broccoli florets
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup orange juice
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1-2 teaspoons freshly grated orange zest
2 teaspoons cornstarch, dissolved in 1 tablespoon water

In a medium nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the ginger and garlic, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and add to the skillet. Saute until cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside. In the same skillet, combine the broccoli florets and the water, stirring to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Cover the skillet and cook until the broccoli is crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Return the chicken to the pan and stir in the broth, orange juice, soy sauce, sugar and orange zest. Add the dissolved cornstarch mixture and cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce boils and thickens slightly. Serve over hot, cooked brown or white rice.

Broiled Tilapia (or Chicken) with Thai Coconut Curry Sauce with Basmati Basil Rice

1 teaspoon dark sesame oil, divided
2 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
1 cup chopped green onions
1 teaspoon curry powder
2 teaspoons red curry paste
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
4 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1 (14-ounce) can light coconut milk
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
4 (6-ounce) tilapia fillets
Cooking spray
3 cups hot cooked basmati rice (recipe below)
4 lime wedges



Preheat broiler.

Heat 1/2 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add ginger and garlic; cook 1 minute. Add pepper and onions; cook 1 minute. Stir in curry powder, curry paste, and cumin; cook 1 minute. Add soy sauce, sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and coconut milk; bring to a simmer (do not boil). Remove from heat; stir in cilantro.

Brush fish with 1/2 teaspoon oil; sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Place fish on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Broil 7 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.


Rice Recipe, start before sauce

1 cup basmati rice
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 1/4 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 350°.

Place rice in a fine-mesh strainer. Rinse with cold water; drain.
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add ginger and garlic; cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Stir in rice; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add remaining ingredients, stirring to combine; bring to a boil. Cover; wrap handle of pan with foil. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes, stirring once. Remove rice from oven; fluff rice with a fork.


Serve fish with sauce, rice, and lime wedges.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Feta Sun-Dried Tomato Turkey Burger Sliders

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 lb ground turkey
1/2 Cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 Cup sun-dried tomatoes, jarred in olive oil
1/2 Cup fresh baby spinach leaves, chopped
Pinch of Kosher salt, fresh cracked pepper and Lawry’s Garlic Salt with Parsley
Sun-Dried Tomato Mayonnaise
1 Cup mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes, packed in olive oil, drained
Baby hamburger buns or dinner rolls, split and warmed
2 Cups fresh baby spinach leaves
1. Heat oil into a large skillet over medium heat. Place turkey, feta, sun dried tomato, spinach and seasonings into a mixing bowl. Mix until just combined. Form 1/4 Cup little patty’s and place onto a cookie sheet. Once all are formed, place batches in hot skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through.
2. Place mayonnaise and tomatoes into a bowl; mix to combine. Spread over insides of warm rolls. Layer bottom roll with spinach and the burger. Close with top roll and eat

Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
2 tablespoons cream cheese
1 pint heavy cream
1 teaspoon garlic powder
salt
black pepper
2/3 cup grated parmesan cheese (preferably fresh)
1 lb fettuccine, prepared as directed
Directions
In a medium saucepan, melt butter.

When butter is melted, add cream cheese.

When the cream cheese is softened, add heavy cream.

Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Simmer for 15-20 minutes over low heat, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat and stir in parmesan.

Serve over hot fettucine noodles.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Ground Chicken Recipes

Sloppy Hot Wing Joes
Rachael Ray's Big Orange Book Copyright 2008

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 pounds ground chicken
2 carrots, peeled and chopped or grated
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
2 to 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 to 1/3 cup hot sauce I used Crystal
1 cup tomato sauce
1 cup chicken stock
8 good quality burger rolls, split and toasted
1 cup blue cheese crumbles
2 large dill pickles, chopped

Heat the EVOO in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meat and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Add the carrots, celery, onions and garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 7 to 8 minutes more. Combine the vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire, hot sauce, tomato sauce, and stock in a mixing cup and pour over the contents of the pan. Mix thoroughly, and simmer for a few minutes more.

Split the rolls and toast under the broiler or in a toaster oven. Pile the sloppy Buffalo-style filling onto buns and top with blue cheese crumbles and chopped pickles.

Chicken and Sun-Dried-Tomato Meatballs
Food & Wine An Entire Year of Recipes 2004 Copyright 2004

4 oil-packed sun-dried tomato halves, drained and blotted dry
2 garlic cloves
1 large jalapeño—halved, seeded and coarsely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs
1 pound ground chicken breast
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon fat-free milk
1/4 cup all-purpose flour, for dusting
One 14 1/2-ounce can peeled whole tomatoes with their juices
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley

In a food processor, pulse the sun-dried tomatoes, 1 garlic clove, half of the jalapeño, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper until finely chopped. Add the bread crumbs and pulse to combine. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and stir in the chicken, egg and milk. Using lightly moistened hands, roll the mixture into 20 meatballs, a scant 1 1/2 tablespoons each. (Mine were larger.) Dust the meatballs lightly with flour, tapping off any excess.

Wipe out the food processor and add the remaining garlic clove and jalapeño half; pulse until chopped. Add the tomatoes and their juices and the oregano and process until smooth.

In a 9-inch cast-iron skillet, heat the olive oil until shimmering. Add the meatballs and cook over moderate heat, turning, until golden but not quite cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Add the tomato sauce to the skillet and simmer until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.

Return the meatballs to the skillet and simmer, turning, until just cooked through, about 2 minutes longer. Transfer to a bowl, sprinkle with the parsley and serve.

SERVE WITH: Pasta or crusty bread.