Savor the Flavor

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Another great dish from Cooking Light December 2010. Nice and spicy, but not toooo spicy. The coconut jasmine rice was an excellent side! I used some multi vegetables instead of just the peas. I used sliced carrots, broccoli and the peas.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons dark sesame oil
1 cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces ( I used chicken breast strip tenders cut into one inch pieces)
3/4 cup water
3 tablespoons lower-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons cornstarch or flour
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon bottled minced ginger
1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
1 cup thinly sliced red bell pepper (about 1 large pepper)
1 cup snow peas, trimmed or a bag of multi vegetables - carrots, peas, broccoli etc
2 tablespoons chopped unsalted, dry-roasted peanuts

Preparation:

1. Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion to pan; sauté 3 minutes or until softened. Add garlic; sauté 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Add chicken; sauté 3 minutes or until chicken begins to brown.

2. Combine 3/4 cup water and the next 5 ingredients (through crushed red pepper), stirring with a whisk until sugar dissolves. Add water mixture to pan; bring to a boil. Add bell pepper and snow peas to pan; cook for 2 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender and sauce thickens. Sprinkle with nuts.

For the jasmine coconut rice:

Combine 1 cup uncooked jasmine rice, 1 1/4 cups water, 1/2 cup light coconut milk, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to a simmer; cook 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. Remove from heat; fluff rice with a fork. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.

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I really loved this recipe from Cooking Light's December 2010 issue. I would put this up against some of the better Mexican restaurants I have eaten at in my time. The chicken along with the spice combo really makes the chicken delicious! This is a great weeknight meal or for me was a weekend meal when I was short on time! I served this along with the recommended salad and dressing minus the radish.


Ingredients:

1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken breast
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
3/4 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup refrigerated fresh salsa
4 (8-inch) flour tortillas (I used whole wheat)
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Cooking spray

Preparation:

1. Bring first 6 ingredients to a boil in a small saucepan. Stir in shredded chicken and green onions.

2. Combine beans and salsa. Spoon 1/4 cup bean mixture and 1/2 cup chicken mixture down center of each tortilla; sprinkle with 2 tablespoons cheese. Roll up.

3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add 2 burritos. Place a cast-iron or other heavy skillet on top of burritos, and cook for 3 minutes on each side. Remove from pan, and repeat procedure with the remaining 2 burritos.

SALAD:

Use romanine lettuce with a few slices of avacado along with this easy dressing:

2 tablespoons orange juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper