Weeknight Bourbon Chicken

I don't venture out to the mall often.  I mean the crowds, the overpriced merchandise, the crowds. But when I do, I make sure we go around lunch time.  There is this little Asian spot in the food court that serves the best bourbon chicken over vegetable fried rice. Well, the last time I was there I paid nearly ten dollars for this meal and it didn't even come with a drink!!! I was determined to make it at home after that!

The recipe is easy enough to be a weeknight winner. You will spend the most time cutting the chicken into pieces and flash frying it! We like sauce around here so the recipe yields a decent enough amount to serve four people. Be mindful not to overcrowd the pan when frying the chicken pieces.  You want browned and crispy not light and mushy!


Weeknight Bourbon Chicken

What you need:

• 2 lbs boneless and skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
• Several tablespoons of oil (enough to fry, not deep fry, your chicken pieces)
• 3-4 garlic cloves, diced
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 
• 1 cup apple juice
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 Tablespoons ketchup
• 2 Tablespoons bourbon or cider vinegar
• 1 cup low sodium soy sauce
• Green onions for garnish, optional

What to do:

• Heat oil in a large skillet
• Add chicken pieces, in batches, cook until lightly browned. Drain on a paper towel
• After all of the chicken has been cooked, remove all but one tablespoon of the oil
• Add remaining ingredients, heating just until sugar dissolves
• Add chicken back to the pan and bring to a boil for one minute
• Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.  Sauce should slightly reduce and thicken
• Serve over rice and enjoy!

Happy Monday!

Ancho Chili Rubbed Fish Tacos w/Lime Ginger Slaw and Avocado Crema

This is kind of long!

I recently dealt with a situation with a Recent Friend that made me think about a similar issue I had early last year with a Former Friend, and how vastly different they were handled.

I’ve spoken about Former Friend:  she and I had been friends for years.  She was fun and funny and I really enjoyed hanging out with her.  She didn’t like something I said about her, to her.  Instead of coming to me with her issues with what or how I said something she did it maliciously, behind my back. With Recent Friend the situation was handled so much better and, most importantly, the relationship was preserved.  

A group of us went out to dinner one Friday night.  Let me back up…

The preceding Thursday I lost my debit card. I didn't realize it until Friday when I was trying to buy lunch.   I cancel the card but since my bank is not local it will take a couple of business days to get a new card to me.  No big deal.

So I get the text about Friday night dinner and I am hyped!  Not only do I get to hug her neck (she'd recently gotten married!!) but, I also get to meet up with another one of my favorite couples, and another mutual friend who’s in town for a conference!  All the win right?!  

I ended up working late and never gave a second thought about my card.  Well, I get downtown and it hits me that I don’t have my card.  I was already late for dinner and I didn’t want to simp out and cancel.  So I found free parking, made sure I had my emergency $20, that E insists I keep on me, and I head out.

I enjoy hanging with my peeps, I’m mindful of my meager cash budget and have the most delicious fish tacos at the tapas spot.  When the bill comes I hand over my $20 and failed to ask for change!  Waiter thanks us for being great customers and leaves.  I tell Recent Friend that he failed to bring me change.  I THOUGHT she felt some kind of way about me asking for change; she and her husband ended up giving it to me.  It bothered me for two or three days before I finally sent her a text message explaining, hoping we were OK.

She basically told me to get my entire life! LOL She said that we were cool, she apologized if she gave any impression that she was “put off” about anything, she appreciated me addressing how I felt and expressed how she hated misunderstandings too.  We e-hugged it out and all is well!  Reading the text made me smile real big and made me thankful for having for real good people in my life.

So in honor of those happy feelings I made my version of those delicious fish tacos I had at the tapas restaurant.  Remind me to tell you how Recent Friend and her Husband always choose the BEST places for us to hang out. 

Chili Rubbed Fish Tacos w/Lime Ginger Slaw and Avocado Crema

What you need:

• 1 Tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
• 3-4 Firm white fish fillets (tilapia, cod, etc.) 
• 3-4 Tablespoons of oil. Enough oil to lightly pan sear the fish
• Flour or *corn tortillas

 
For the slaw (while fresh is always best, bagged slaw mix saves time during the workweek):

• Juice of 1-2 limes
• 1-2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
• 2-3 Tablespoons sugar
• 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 cups bagged slaw mix

For the Avocado Crema:

• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 ripened avocado
• 1 de-seeded jalapeno, chopped
• Juice of one lime
• Salt, pepper and granulated garlic to taste

What to do:

Make the Crema

• In a blender or food processor, puree the yogurt, avocado, jalapeno, lime juice and seasonings. 
• Cover and place in fridge until ready to build tacos

Make the slaw

• In small bowl, whisk the first five ingredients for the dressing. Cover and place in the fridge.
• Right before serving the fish drizzle the dressing over the slaw and give it a good stir to coat.  Add directly on top of tacos!

For the fish

• Place all of the spices and herbs in a small bowl and mix well.  Test for flavor and adjust accordingly
• Sprinkle a generous amount of the spice blend onto the back and front of the fish  
• Gently rub the seasoning on the fish
• Heat a tablespoon of the oil in a pan, over medium heat
• Add the fish, 1 or 2 fillets at a time, and sear 3-5 minutes per side or until cooked through.  Try to only flip it once
• Continue cooking, adding additional oil as needed, until all fish is cooked through.
• Build your tacos: fish, slaw, crema, cheese!
• Enjoy!

*If using corn tortillas, heat them in a tiny bit of oil for few seconds per side to make them more pliable

German Chocolate Kahlua Mousse

Want an easy and delicious chocolate mousse that will taste like you slaved away in the kitchen? Try this decadent treat with some freshly whipped cream! 

If you make it in the morning they should be set by dinner!  This mousse is really rich so you will want to add some freshly whipped cream on top.  If you are not ready to try your hand at fresh whipped cream (though it is easy I promise), add a dollop of plain yogurt after the mousse has set. Also, if you are alcohol free just add vanilla or chocolate or even hazelnut extract in its place!

German Chocolate Kahlua Mousse 
Makes about four 1 cup servings
Adapted from http://delishhh.com/2013/02/04/chocolate-kahlua-mousse/

What you need:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 Tbs Kahlua (or a flavor extract of your choice)
• 1 egg & 1 egg yolk
• 1 cup semi-sweet German chocolate cut into pieces (or any sweetened chocolate you have on hand) 
• 1 cup very cold heavy cream

What to do:

• Heat the cream in a medium saucepan over low heat. 
• In a separate bowl whip the eggs until they are a pale yellow. 
• Once the cream is simmering, temper some of the cream into the eggs and mix, then slowly add the egg/cream mixture back into the pot. 
• Add the Kahlua and continue to simmer for about 10 minutes while frequently stirring the mixture.  You do not want the mixture to boil.
• Place the chocolate pieces or chips in to the blender and slowly add the hot liquid to the blender.
• Place the lid on the blend, turn setting to puree and blend well for at least 5 minutes.
• Pour mixture into four 8 oz glasses, ramekins or dessert bowls and place in the fridge for at least 6 hrs to set 

For the whipped cream:

• Right before serving, add the last cup of heavy cream to a cold bowl
• Whip the cream until firm peaks form, about 5-10 minutes 
• Place a dollop on top of each mousse cup

     

Happy Monday!

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Happy Monday!

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Easy Pumpkin Bread

I have been a little pressed for time lately but I don't want to neglect the masses (eyeroll...lol).  If I had a go to dessert or quick bread, this would be it. Always moist, always easy, always delicious.

Easy Pumpkin Bread
Adapted from http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/pumpkin_bread/

What you need:

• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 15 oz can of pumpkin purée
• 1 cup olive oil (or canola, vegetable)
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon allspice

What to do:

• Preheat oven to 350°F
• In a large bowl sift together the flour, salt, sugar, and baking soda
• In a medium bowl mix the pumpkin, oil, eggs, water, and spices together
• Combine with the dry ingredients
• Pour evenly into two prepared loaf pan
• Bake 50-60 minutes until a cake tester poked in the center of the bread comes out clean

Happy Monday!

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