Tag: chicken

New Favorite

Yogurt Marinated Grilled Chicken

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Grilled chicken is a summer favorite.  The key is to assure that the chicken is moist and tender.  I’ve always wanted to try a yogurt marinade and when I found this recipe, it fit the bill!  I marinated the chicken for about 4 hours and it was delicious. Next time I’ll try marinating overnight to see if the flavors are even better.

I served with another new recipe for Mediterranean Edamame Salad (post and recipe on Friday) and loved the combination.  The leftover chicken was great afterwards on green salad. Another new favorite for my recipe collection.

The original recipe called for pounding each piece of chicken between 2 sheets of waxed paper, pounding to 1/2 inch thickness. Instead, I cut each chicken breast in half to achieve the same thickness.

YOGURT-MARINATED GRILLED CHICKEN

8 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 3 lbs.)
2 cups plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
1 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for topping
1/2 large onion, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup olive oil, plus more for grill grate
6 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon garam masala
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 (2″) piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped

  • Cut each piece of chicken breast in half to achieve 1/2″ thickness.  Place chicken breasts in plastic ziplock bag.
  • Puree remaining ingredients in a food processor.

  • Pour yogurt mixture over chicken, seal bag, and turn to coat.  Marinate chicken in refrigerator for a minimum of 3 hours or overnight.
  • Preheat grill to medium-high direct heat.  Brush grill grate with oil.  Scape excess marinade off chicken; season with salt.  Grill until browned and cooked thoroughly, turning once.

  • Top with more cilantro and serve.

Compliments of dashrecipes.com

For Mediterranean Edamame Salad recipe, check my blog on Friday, August 2.

Family Favorites

Salsa Chicken ala Crockpot

cathysmaha1 Comment

Salsa Chicken in the crockpot is a simple, hearty dish and perfect to serve for a crowd. You can easily modify the recipe to match your taste, adding more vegetables, hotter chiles, etc.

I’m trying to avoid simple carbs so I served over quinoa with sliced fresh tomatoes. It would be fun to serve the chicken in a buffet with a variety of serving options (outlined below) to allow the guest to make their own finished product.

SALSA CHICKEN IN THE CROCKPOT

2 pounds chicken breasts (if large, cut in half)
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 can black beans, drained
7 oz. can diced green chiles
16 ounce jar of salsa
1 teaspoon dried cilantro
salt and pepper

  • Place chicken breasts in bottom of crock pot and season with salt and pepper.
  • Add corn, beans, chiles and salsa.  Sprinkle with cilantro.
  • Cover and cook on high for 5-6 hours or 8 hours on low.
  • About an hour before serving, shred the chicken in the crockpot and let simmer until ready to serve.

  • Serve with fresh tomatoes, avocado, sour cream, shredded cheese, or salsa as you like.
  • Serving options:  Use as filling in burritos or tacos.  Serve over quinoa, baked potato, rice or noodles.
New Favorite

Chicken Quinoa Soup…Yummy!

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Colorado weather is typically wonderful but as the locals say, ‘if you don’t like the weather, wait 10 minutes’.  Last week we were blessed with much-needed rain that left a chill in the air and a craving for soup.  My sister-in-law, Betty, has told me about the Chicken Quinoa Soup recipe she makes regularly, compliments of Iowa Girl Eats.  It sounded like the perfect soup to satisfy my craving, and indeed it did.

I’ve become a huge fan of quinoa, kale, and sweet potatoes and the combination in the soup is divine.  The addition of the parmesan rind adds a wonderful salty/nutty flavor to the soup.

I served with a fresh pretzel roll and loved every bite!  A new favorite for my recipe box.

CHICKEN QUINOA SOUP

1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 carrot, chopped (1/2 cup)
1 rib celery, chopped (1/2 cup)
1/2 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
salt & pepper
4 cups torn kale
1 garlic clove
8 cups chicken broth, divided
1 teaspoon parsley flakes
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
2″ parmesan cheese rind (optional)
2 large chicken breasts (about 1lb), cut in half
1 large sweet potato, peeled and chopped into 1/2″ cubes (2 cups)
1 large russet potato, peeled and chopped into 1/2″ cubes (1-1/2 cups)
2/3 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

  • Heat oil in large soup pot over medium heat. Add carrot, celery, and onion, season with salt and pepper, then saute until tender, about 10 minutes.
  • Add kale and garlic, season with more salt and pepper, then saute for 2 more minutes. Add 7 cups chicken broth, parsley flakes, dried thyme, bay leaf, and parmesan cheese rind (if using), then bring to a boil.
  • Add chicken breasts to the pot then cook for 10 minutes, or until no longer pink in the center. Remove to a plate then add sweet potato, russet potato, and quinoa to boiling broth. Place a lid on top, lower heat to medium, then cook for 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender and quinoa is cooked. Meanwhile shred chicken.
  • Add shredded chicken back to the soup, remove bay leaf, then add parmesan cheese and stir to combine. Taste and add more salt & pepper if necessary. Serve topped with additional parmesan cheese, if desired. Use remaining 1 cup chicken broth to add when reheating soup, as quinoa will absorb much of the broth as it cools.

Recipe from Iowa Girl Eats

Family Favorites

Chicken Divine

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Chicken Divine starts by roasting chicken breasts with savory rosemary making your mouth water, anticipating the great final dish to come.  This dish takes a while but you could easily bake the chicken breasts ahead of time.

I do not recall where I found this recipe but it’s been a family favorite for the past 20 years.  Pair Chicken Divine with a green salad, crusty bread and a nice glass of white wine.  Dinner is served!

CHICKEN DIVINE

3 whole chicken breasts
rosemary to taste
salt and pepper to taste
1 sliced onion
1 pound fresh or frozen broccoli
3/4 cup raw rice, cooked

CHEESE SAUCE:

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup grated, sharp Cheddar Cheese
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

SAUCE:

  • Melt butter, add flour and stir until smooth. Cook 2 minutes. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly until thickened. Add cheeses and seasonings.

CASSEROLE:

  • Sprinkle chicken with rosemary, salt and pepper. Bake chicken at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Cool. Skin, bone and slice.
  • Cook broccoli in water with salt and onion. Drain.
  • Layer chicken, then broccoli, then rice in buttered casserole.
  • Pour cheese sauce over entire dish. Add more grated Parmesan on top if desired.

  • Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until bubbly.
Gluten Free · New Favorite · Skinny

Lemon Rosemary Chicken

cathysmaha3 Comments

Lemon Rosemary Chicken is a new favorite recipe.  I love rosemary with chicken anyway so I knew this would be a winner!  The potatoes also roasted beautifully and complimented the chicken and sauce nicely.  I served this dish with my slow cooked green beans.

The leftovers were wonderful resulting in a fabulous chicken, pesto sandwich (see pesto recipe post of 10/19/12).

Lemon and Rosemary Chicken

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
3/4 pound potatoes (small red-skinned) or large cubed potatoes
2 sprigs fresh rosemary, plus 1 tablespoon rosemary leaves
1 clove smashed garlic
pinch red pepper flakes
juice of 2 lemons (reserve the squeezed half lemons)
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons salt

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
  • Cover the potatoes with cold water in a saucepan and salt the water.  Bring the potatoes to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until tender; 8-12 minutes.
  • Drain and set aside.
  • Place the rosemary leaves, garlic, red pepper flakes and salt on a cutting board. Mash the ingredients until a paste-like mixture. Transfer to a bowl.
  • Stir in the juice of 1 lemon and olive oil. Coat the chicken breasts in this mixture.
  • Heat a large, heavy skillet over medium high heat. Add the chicken , cover and cook until browned. Turn the chicken and brown the other side.
  • Add the potatoes to the chicken and drizzle with the juice of the 2nd lemon and any remaining paste.
  • Add the rosemary sprigs and the squeeze lemon halve to the skillet.
  • Place skillet in preheated oven and roast, uncovered until the chicken is thoroughly cooked, about 30 minutes.

Adapted from eatyourselfskinny Lemon and Rosemary Chicken

Nicaragua

Nicaragua: Nacatamals!

cathysmaha2 Comments

Nacatamals are a Nicaraguan specialty, similar to a tamal.  This evening we would have the opportunity to make Nacatamals as well as have a feast with our travel companions and hosts.

Nacatamals are prepared in homes in rural communities and often sold to neighbors on Saturdays. Our master chefs  this evening are sisters that prepare Nacatamals for sale in the community.  Nacatamals are traditional for special occasions and served to demonstrate hospitality to friends and visitors. Nacatamals are a full meal and are traditionally served with Nicaraguan coffee. These are quite different from the tamales I have enjoyed for many years.

We each made our own Nacatamal but due to the long cooking time, our creations were to be enjoyed (or tolerated) by the locals the next day. We were served perfect Nacatamals made by our hostesses that morning. They were flavorful and, oh, so filling.

My sister-in-law and her husband, and other travel companions have made them at home with great success.  One day, I too, will try, but today I will just enjoy the memory.

Banana Leaves for the Nacatamals
Add base of masa and seasoned chicken leg
Add uncooked rice and sliced potatoes
Add Condiments
Condiments: Mint, Capers/Olives, Peppers, Tomatoes, Raisins
Rolling and Sealing the Nacatamal
Tying the Nacatamal
Steamed Nacatamal
Steamed Nacatamal

NACATAMALS

Masa (Dough)

  • Masa harina — 6 cups
  • Lard or shortening — 1 cup
  • Salt — 1 tablespoon
  • Sour orange juice (see variations) — 1/2 cup
  • Chicken stock or broth — 4-5 cups

Filling

  • Pork butt, cubed — 3 pounds
  • Salt and pepper — to season
  • Rice, soaked in warm water for 30 minutes — 3/4 cup
  • Potatoes, peeled, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds — 1/2 pound
  • Onion, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds — 1
  • Bell pepper, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds — 2
  • Tomatoes, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds — 2
  • Mint — 1 bunch

Assembly

  • Banana leaves, hard spine removed and cut into 10×10-inch rectangles — 12 pieces OR
  • Aluminum foil, cut into 10×10-inch rectangles — 12 pieces
  • METHOD
  • Place the masa harina, lard or shortening and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer. Blend on a low speed to incorporate the fat into the masa harina and give it a mealy texture. You may have to do this and the next step in two batches if your mixer bowl is not large enough to hold all the ingredients without overflowing.
  • With the mixer still on low speed, add the sour orange juice and enough chicken stock to make a soft, moist dough. It should be a little firmer than mashed potatoes. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for 2-3 minutes to incorporate some air into the masa and make it fluffier. Cover the bowl and set the masa aside to rest for at least 30 minutes.
  • Season the pork with salt and pepper. Drain the rice. Assemble all of your filling ingredients and assembly items on a large table or work surface. Gather family and friends to help in an assembly line.
  • Lay out a banana leaf square with the smooth side up. Place 1 cup of the masa in the middle of the banana leaf and, using wetted hands, spread it out a little. Put about 1/2 cup of pork on top of the masa and sprinkle 1 or 2 tablespoons of rice over the pork. Lay 1 or 2 slices of potato on top of the pork and then top with 1 or 2 pieces of onion, 1 or 2 pieces of pepper and a slice of tomato. Top it all off with a few mint leaves.
  • Fold the top edge of the banana leaf down over the filling. Bring the bottom edge of the banana leaf up over this. Then fold in both sides to make a rectangular package. Be careful not to wrap it too tightly or the filling will squeeze out. Flip the package over so it is seam side down.
  • Set the tamal in the middle of an aluminum foil square and wrap it up tightly the same way you wrapped up the banana leaf. Set aside and repeat with the remaining ingredients to make 10 to 12 nacatamales in total.
  • Add 2 or 3 inches of water to a tamalera or pot large enough to hold all the nacatamales. (You may have to use two pots if you don’t have one big enough to hold the nacatamales in one batch.) Place a rack in the bottom or toss in enough wadded up aluminum foil to hold the nacatamales mostly out of the water. Add thenacatamales and bring to a boil over high heat. Cover tightly, reduce heat to low and steam for 3 to 4 hours. Add more water as needed to keep the pot from boiling dry.
  • Remove the nacatamales from the pot, take off their aluminum foil covering and serve hot. Each diner opens the banana leaf on his or her own nacatamal before eating.
  • Masa Variations: This recipe uses masa made from masa harina flour. If you can find fresh masa, definitely use that instead. The flavor and texture will be better. A variety of ingredients can be added to the masa do give it more flavor. Substitute milk for some or all of the chicken stock. Add some chopped, cooked bacon, along with its fat. Add a cup or two of mashed potatoes to the dough. Mix in some chopped and sautéed onions, garlic or chile peppers.
  • Meat Variations: Use chicken instead of pork. For more flavor, season the meat with some sour orange juice, ground achiote or paprika, cumin and minced garlic.
  • Filling Variations: Many recipes call for adding a few green olives and raisins or prunes to the filling. Other ingredients sometimes added are capers, sliced hot chiles and even pickles.
  • Vegetarian Nacatamales: eliminate meat, use butter, shortening or vegetable oil instead of lard and water or milk instead of chicken stock. You won’t find many Nicaraguans who will even touch this version.
  • Wrapping: Banana leaves can be found in the frozen section of many Latino and Asian markets. If they aren’t available in your area, you can use a double layer of aluminum foil alone. You won’t get the extra flavor the banana leaves add though. In Central America, nacatamales are usually wrapped in banana leaves alone and tied like a package with twine or the spines from the banana leaves.
  • Sour Orange Substitute: If you can’t find sour orange (naranja agria) juice, substitute the juice of 1 orange and 2 limes.

Recipe from http://www.whats4eats.com/breads/nacatamales-recipe

New Favorite · Vegan · Vegetarian

Quinoa Salad with Strawberries and Chicken…love it!

cathysmaha1 Comment

What says summer better than a cool, refreshing salad. I LOVE quinoa and experimenting with different combinations. Today, I decided to combine my affection for chicken salad with fruit and nuts along with the quinoa. Love it!

QUINOA SALAD WITH STRAWBERRIES AND CHICKEN

1 cup quinoa cooked in two cups boiling water for 12 minutes.
sliced strawberries
chopped yellow pepper
2-3 chopped green onions
2 cups chopped, cooked chicken
1 cup chopped pecans
salt
balsamic salad dressing

Nicaragua

Nicaragua: Hello San Ramon!

cathysmaha4 Comments

We arrived in San Ramon around lunch. The FEV guides, walked us to our host family homes where we would stay for the next three days. The walk through the village of San Ramon was enlightening with people working, people walking, children playing, and the sound of music and nature everywhere.

Roommate, Sally, and I were the last stop, staying with our wonderful hostess Neyda and her daughter Gabriella.  After a warm welcome and a quick opportunity to drop our bags in our own Cabana, we sat down for lunch.  Neyda prepared a wonderful meal of chicken, cabbage salad, fresh tortillas, tomatoes, radishes and star fruit from her garden!

Lunch with Neyda

Neyda’s backyard was a haven for wonderful fruit, today showing the star fruit, passion fruit, and mango.  I wish I could grow these in Colorado!

Star Fruit in Neyda’s back yard
Passion Fruit
Fresh Mango

After lunch, it was time for our walking tour of San Ramon, visiting the church, parks, etc.  After another wonderful dinner, we were off to the community library for a welcome ceremony with local dancers.

San Ramon Welcome Ceremony

Another wonderful day and experience.  Tomorrow we will observe paper making, jewelry making, and local cuisine.

Family Favorites

BBQ’d Chicken Breasts…marinated, moist and scrumptious

cathysmaha2 Comments

SUMMER = BBQ and it’s time to get this summer started! Several years ago a co-worker shared this recipe, from Creme de Colorado Cookbook, and it has become a summer staple.  The chicken is so moist and flavorful. I liked to marinade for 24 hours, but a minimum of 4-5 hours will do.

Typically I grill several extra chicken breasts to have the next day(s) in salads. So delicious!  Get ready for some yummy chicken for your 4th of July BBQ!

BBQ CHICKEN MARINADE

2 whole frying chickens, cut into pieces (or skinless/boneless breasts)
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 clove garlic, crushed

  • Mix all marinade ingredients. Pour into large plastic ziplock bag. Add chicken and assure chicken is coated. Marinate 2-4 hours. Can also freeze in marinade to enjoy later.

Recipe from Creme de Colorado Cookbook

Family Favorites · Vegan · Vegetarian

Kiwi Mandarin Salad…sweet and tangy!

cathysmaha2 Comments

Mandarin Salad, Colorado Cache Cookbook, is a staple for my friends and I.  It is so yummy and refreshing and perfect with BBQ chicken (check out my coming post on June 29, 2012).

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It’s perfect any time of year.  Experiment with it when other fresh fruits are available. This time, I added kiwi and Craisins and loved it!  The tangy kiwi and Craisins with the sugary almonds are delightful.

KIWI MANDARIN SALAD

SUGARED ALMONDS
1/2 cup sliced almonds, `
3 tablespoons sugar

SALAD
1/2 head iceberg lettuce
1/2 head romaine lettuce
1 cup chopped celery
2 whole green onions, chopped
11 ounces can mandarin oranges, drained
3 fresh kiwi, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup Craisins

DRESSING
1/2 teaspoon salt
dash pepper
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons vinegar
dash Tabasco sauce

  • In a small pan over medium heat, cook almonds and sugar, stirring constantly until almonds are coated and sugar dissolved. Watch carefully as they will burn easily. Cool and store in air-tight container.
  • Mix all dressing ingredients and chill.
  • Mix lettuces, celery and onions.
  • Just before serving, add almonds, mandarins, kiwi and Craisins. Toss with the dressing.

Adapted from Colorado Cache Cookbook, Mandarin Salad