Showing posts with label DVR. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DVR. Show all posts

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Flavor Explosion!

I was pretty thrilled the other day to find this somewhat hidden section of healthy recipes on the food network website the other day! In this little treasure trove was this a recipe for a Chicken Scallion Rice Bowl. I think the title is horrible really. It is so much more than Chicken, Scallions and Rice in a bowl. It is a flavor explosion!

The flavor of the broth comes from Fresh Ginger, Mushrooms, Scallions and Basil and it is delicious. I would say this soup tastes most like Pho and you could easily substitute the brown rice for thin rice noodles. It is fresh and light, but still plenty filling and like
the Vietnamese say, "It will stick to your ribs"!

Chicken Scallion Rice Bowl
Ingredients:
6 Cups Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth
2 Cups Water
2 Tablespoons Mirin
1 Tablespoon Fish Sauce
1 Bunch Scallions, about 6
4 ounces Shitake Mushrooms, caps sliced, stems removed and reserved
1 two-inch piece fresh Ginger, peeled and sliced
6 Garlic Cloves, sliced
1 small bunch Basil, plus some leaves for serving
1 large Chicken Breast, 12 ounces
1 Red Jalapeno, thinly sliced (ribs and seeds removed for less heat)
1 Cup Shelled Edamame
1 Cup Julienned Jicama
Kosher Salt
2 Cups Hot Cooked Brown Rice
Lime Wedges

Directions:
Combine the broth, water, mirin, and the fish sauce in a large saucepan. Cut all but one scallion into 1-inch pieces and add to the broth with the mushroom stems, ginger, garlic and bunch of basil. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and continue to simmer until reduced by half, about 45 minutes. Remove all the solids from the broth using a
strainer or slotted spoon and discard.

Add the chicken, sliced mushroom caps, and jalapeno to the broth; adjust the heat to keep the broth at a gentle simmer and cook 12-14 minutes (mine took about 16 minutes) or until the chicken is just cooked through.
Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and slice into 1-inch pieces.

Remove the broth from the heat; Stir in edamame, jicama, and sliced chicken. Season with salt. Scoop 1/2 cup of the cooked rice into each bowl and ladle some of the soup over it. Slice the reserved scallion on an angle and sprinkle over each bowl along with basil leaves. Serve with lime wedges, if desired. I also served this with some sriracha.


Beautiful Broth

Ta da! This was a very relaxing meal to make. I was able to sit on the couch and watch my DVR while the broth simmered and made for a very nice evening!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Take a Trip to the Bookstore

I just finished this book last week and, as usual, James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge did not disappoint in their latest Michael Bennett adventure. I have been reading James Patterson novels for years, but only recently got into the Michael Bennett series and don't know how I missed them before. I can't say I like them more than his Alex Cross series, but they are defiantly tied. The only thing I am sad about now is that there isn't another new one at my fingertips. Supposedly there is a Michael Bennett TV series coming out based on the books, but for all I know that is just a rumor...this leads to the rest of this post...

If you have not already set your DVR to record the show Blue Bloods, go straight to your TV and do it now. It is a wonderful show based on a family of law enforcement and their lives. You have to watch it! It reminds me a lot of the feeling I get from reading the Michael Bennett books.

Lastly, if you don't read or have a DVR...I feel bad for you and I encourage you to change that! Take a trip to the bookstore, you never know what you may find!


Monday, February 21, 2011

Cooking for One

This week Brian has been on a business trip in Texas and I took the opportunity to indulge myself in things I enjoy SO much: Homemade Tomato Soup and my DVR!!

To me there is nothing better than a comforting, warm bowl of tomato soup. Nothing I have ever tasted comes close to the Tomato Basil Bisque at Nordstroms. I have been trying out recipes for years that claim to come close, but none of them ever succeed. Today you are in luck, I have found a recipe that is very close. It is delicious and EASY. We can all thank Theresa for this Double-Tomato Soup that satisfies what I like to call "The Nordstom Cafe" craving.

Another thing I am constantly missing, but can never do anything about is the Buttermilk dressing from Malibu Chicken. Malibu Chicken was the best place ever. Best salads, best chicken, best salad dressing, best everything. They closed while I was in college and it was very upsetting to everyone who had ever eaten there. Such a sad day. Their buttermilk dressing died with the restaurant and I have been craving it ever since.

Today was the day I attempted to recreate it...

Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
1 packet Ranch Dressing Mix
1 cup Low Fat Buttermilk
4 tablespoons Non Fat Plain Greek Yogurt
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 tablespoon Oregano
1 tablespoon Dill

Mix well and serve over cold salad.


Finished meal! Everything was great. You have to try out these new recipes!