Barbecue, BBQ & grilling, BBQ food, Breakfast, Drinks, Family, Fish, Fruit, Healthy, Healthy eating, Italian, Light meals, Main Course, Mains, Meat, Meat & fish, Nutrition, One-pan recipes, Quick & Easy, Quick fixes, Recipe Roundup, Salad, Sauces & condiments, Seasonal, Seasonal produce, Sharing, Side Dish, Snacks, Summer, Summer Drinks, Uncategorized, Vegetable sides, Vegetables, Vegetarian

Chicken-Vegetable Soup With Orzo and Oregano

For some reason, I like to make soup on a rainy day. This practice may go back to childhood because my mother often made soup. Her Manhattan Clam Chowder was especially good. I still remember the time she decided to make chicken soup in her new pressure cooker. Mom hadn’t gotten used to this new appliance and, unfortunately, released the valve too soon.

Chicken soup shot up to the ceiling, a fact my father never let her forget. I remember the incredulous look on her face when this happened. If I recall, we had to replace some of the ceiling tiles.

My chicken soup isn’t made in a pressure cooker. I just use a big pot with a lid that I found at a discount store. This recipe starts with basic soup ingredients–onions, celery, and carrots. Although I rarely cook Brussles sprouts, the grocery store was having a special on them, so I bought a few. This green, cabbage-like vegetable adds extra flavor to the soup. Continue reading “Chicken-Vegetable Soup With Orzo and Oregano”

by gudfoodie
Barbecue, BBQ & grilling, BBQ food, Breakfast, Drinks, Family, Fish, Fruit, Healthy, Healthy eating, Italian, Light meals, Main Course, Mains, Meat, Meat & fish, Nutrition, One-pan recipes, Quick & Easy, Quick fixes, Recipe Roundup, Salad, Sauces & condiments, Seasonal, Seasonal produce, Sharing, Side Dish, Snacks, Summer, Summer Drinks, Uncategorized, Vegetable sides, Vegetables, Vegetarian

A Chicken Pie Recipe With That Master Chef Touch

No one can resist a delicious pie. While apple pie usually ranks as the top favorite, chicken pie comes at a very close second.

Why is a chicken pie recipe such a popular dish for homemaker and their families? For one, chicken pie can already be considered as a complete meal because of the proteins and carbohydrates that you can derive from the chicken meat and crust, respectively, and the necessary fiber from legumes and vegetables that you add to the filling.

However, because you can find chicken pies practically everywhere, they have become unfairly labeled as “ordinary” fare. Some not-so-discriminate individuals have even come to claim that all chicken pies taste the same, despite the fact that there are thousands of varieties of chicken pie recipes that you can find on the Internet.

Continue reading “A Chicken Pie Recipe With That Master Chef Touch”

by gudfoodie
Barbecue, BBQ & grilling, BBQ food, Breakfast, Drinks, Family, Fish, Fruit, Healthy, Healthy eating, Italian, Light meals, Main Course, Mains, Meat, Meat & fish, Nutrition, One-pan recipes, Quick & Easy, Quick fixes, Recipe Roundup, Salad, Sauces & condiments, Seasonal, Seasonal produce, Sharing, Side Dish, Snacks, Summer, Summer Drinks, Uncategorized, Vegetable sides, Vegetables, Vegetarian

Hanamaulu Chicken – Bringing Hawaii Home

Food, family, and hospitality are the cornerstones of the Hawaiian culture. Generations of my husband’s family have lived, loved, and flourished on the Hawaiian Islands, a place steeped in history and tradition. Traditional cooking is one sure way to bring all the family together. Having been raised by his grandparents on Kauai, and since moving to the mainland, he longs at times for the home-style food and memories it holds. So, in order to fill that need and to pass on the love of Hawaiian Food to our family, we have learned to create one of our favorites, Hanamaulu Chicken, here in our own home. And to quote Grandma “People gotta eat”. So why not eat well.

This recipe is one I like to call a memory revival recipe, for two reasons. Reason one, because to taste it brings back so many fond memories, and two, because my husband had to experiment with it from memory to get it just right. I have to admit there were some hits and misses for a while, but with great diligence and a heart for perfecting the true Hanamaulu Chicken recipe for our family to share, he achieved this truly delicious meal. Traditionally this chicken comes in a Box Lunch, available to order at various restaurants on the islands. It is usually accompanied by Won Tons, Char Sue, Macaroni Salad, Rice, and an Oriental Salad. I intend to post these recipes to share in the future.

Continue reading “Hanamaulu Chicken – Bringing Hawaii Home”

by gudfoodie
Barbecue, BBQ & grilling, BBQ food, Breakfast, Drinks, Family, Fish, Fruit, Healthy, Healthy eating, Italian, Light meals, Main Course, Mains, Meat, Meat & fish, Nutrition, One-pan recipes, Quick & Easy, Quick fixes, Recipe Roundup, Salad, Sauces & condiments, Seasonal, Seasonal produce, Sharing, Side Dish, Snacks, Summer, Summer Drinks, Uncategorized, Vegetable sides, Vegetables, Vegetarian

How To Roast Chicken Breast In Your La Caja China Roasting Box

We don’t eat chicken solely because it is delicious but also it provides a lot of health benefits. First of all, it is rich in protein which makes it excellent in aiding weight loss. Chicken meat is also a natural anti-depressant; bone loss preventer and metabolism booster when taken in the right amounts. Most of all, chicken is among our children’s favorite food items! There’s just no telling why but kids are just so into them. And do you know what the most nutritious part of a chicken is? The breast! That’s because it’s the least fatty. So for today, I’d like to share with you a quick guide on how to roast chicken breast in your La Caja China. Gather up your ingredients and enjoy cooking!

Ingredients:

4 chicken breasts, weighing about 6 ounces each, deboned and skinless

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

Continue reading “How To Roast Chicken Breast In Your La Caja China Roasting Box”

by gudfoodie
Barbecue, BBQ & grilling, BBQ food, Breakfast, Drinks, Family, Fish, Fruit, Healthy, Healthy eating, Italian, Light meals, Main Course, Mains, Meat, Meat & fish, Nutrition, One-pan recipes, Quick & Easy, Quick fixes, Recipe Roundup, Salad, Sauces & condiments, Seasonal, Seasonal produce, Sharing, Side Dish, Snacks, Summer, Summer Drinks, Uncategorized, Vegetable sides, Vegetables, Vegetarian

Dark Meat Chicken and the High Protein Weight Loss Surgery Diet

Chicken legs and chicken thighs are often left behind by those following the weight loss surgery high protein diet who favor the leaner lighter breast meat. For years dark meat poultry has been rejected by dieters as too high in fat to play a beneficial role in a healthy weight management lifestyle. But this nutrient dense meat has a place in the bariatric diet and in these difficult economic times dark meat poultry is an affordable choice at the market.

A 3-ounce serving of dark meat chicken, skin removed, provides 166 calories, 21 grams protein, 8 grams of fat (2 grams saturated) and 76mg of cholesterol. But meat should not be judged on its nutritional profile alone: dark meat poultry is an excellent source of the B vitamins niacin and riboflavin and a good source of zinc. And bundle packages of chicken drumsticks and thighs are ridiculously affordable too, often priced less than $1 a pound. Many nutritionists say that the benefits of the nutrient dense dark meat make it the preferred choice to white meat poultry provided the skin is removed before eating and a low-fat cooking method is used to prepare the chicken. Continue reading “Dark Meat Chicken and the High Protein Weight Loss Surgery Diet”

by gudfoodie
Barbecue, BBQ & grilling, BBQ food, Breakfast, Drinks, Family, Fish, Fruit, Healthy, Healthy eating, Italian, Light meals, Main Course, Mains, Meat, Meat & fish, Nutrition, One-pan recipes, Quick & Easy, Quick fixes, Recipe Roundup, Salad, Sauces & condiments, Seasonal, Seasonal produce, Sharing, Side Dish, Snacks, Summer, Summer Drinks, Uncategorized, Vegetable sides, Vegetables, Vegetarian

Chicken and Skinny Noodle Soup

This chicken noodle soup uses Lipton Soup Secrets. I know that Lipton makes one with bits of chicken, but why use that if you can add your own juicy meat and vegetables? I usually use the product called Noodle Soup with Real Chicken Broth, but if you’d like, you can try the one with extra noodles. These Soup Secrets come in boxes, with two envelopes per box. When you open an envelope, the noodles look like tiny bits of shredded paper in yellow powder. The noodles will expand, but even when completely cooked, they’ll be thinner than angel hair pasta. That’s why I’m calling it chicken and skinny noodle soup. The following recipe makes enough for two people or one very hungry one. If desired, you can double up on the recipe, using both of the envelopes in the box.

I love watching this soup come together almost as much as I like eating it. So I’m going to talk about cooking it as if it’s a story. For the short version of the recipe, skip down to the ingredients list and the no-nonsense directions at the bottom.

Cook the chicken: Crush two cloves of garlic. If the celery stalk has any leaves, cut them off. Put the garlic, celery leaves, and a chicken thigh into a pot. Cover with water. Bring to a boil and let bubble away for 20 minutes. If you are lucky, you might be able to see golden drops floating away in the water. What are those things? Fat? Oil? Whatever they are, they look delicious. Continue reading “Chicken and Skinny Noodle Soup”

by gudfoodie
Barbecue, BBQ & grilling, BBQ food, Breakfast, Drinks, Family, Fish, Fruit, Healthy, Healthy eating, Italian, Light meals, Main Course, Mains, Meat, Meat & fish, Nutrition, One-pan recipes, Quick & Easy, Quick fixes, Recipe Roundup, Salad, Sauces & condiments, Seasonal, Seasonal produce, Sharing, Side Dish, Snacks, Summer, Summer Drinks, Uncategorized, Vegetable sides, Vegetables, Vegetarian

Traveling in Mexico: Cuautla – Have You Ever Eaten Chicken Feet?

Have you ever eaten chicken feet? How about barbequed chicken necks? What? I thought not. So, while you’re in Cuautla you’ll have your chance. Don’t miss it! Now here’s what you need to do:

Hotel Colon

Address: Main Plaza

Phone: 352 – 2186

The premiere place for people-watching smack dab on the Zocalo. Meals are of local fare and modestly priced. The day’s offerings are written on a standing menu posted right out front on the sidewalk complete with prices. The wall-less dining area is just an extension of the Zocalo sidewalk, so you could spend hours here just sippin’ “Jamaica” and winkin’ at the passers-by. And there’ll be plenty. It’s an excellent “first stop” on your Cuautla tour. While you’re at it, pick up a copy of “THE NEWS”, Mexico’s premiere English language newspaper or, in Spanish, “El Sol de Cuautla”, both on sale just a few steps away at the news stand in front of the restaurant.

The Plaza Galeana Continue reading “Traveling in Mexico: Cuautla – Have You Ever Eaten Chicken Feet?”

by gudfoodie
Barbecue, BBQ & grilling, BBQ food, Breakfast, Drinks, Family, Fish, Fruit, Healthy, Healthy eating, Italian, Light meals, Main Course, Mains, Meat, Meat & fish, Nutrition, One-pan recipes, Quick & Easy, Quick fixes, Recipe Roundup, Salad, Sauces & condiments, Seasonal, Seasonal produce, Sharing, Side Dish, Snacks, Summer, Summer Drinks, Uncategorized, Vegetable sides, Vegetables, Vegetarian

Chicken and Rice – Easy, Healthy, AND Gourmet?

I know what you’re thinking! Sure, chicken is easy and yes, it can be healthy, but can it really be gourmet? Absolutely! It’s all in the presentation. Grab a pen and paper; here’s how you do it.

Preferably, it’s a heck of a lot easier to use an electric frying pan. This way you can make your sauce. Add about 2 Tbls. of extra light virgin olive oil into your pan. Take two nice size garlic cloves, peel them, smack them with a knife, chop them up and put them in your pan. Slice up some red onion (about 3 inches long and a half inch thick). Quarter a handful of mushrooms and sauté them on low along with the onion and garlic. This is a great meal with a yummy Pinot Grigio so I’ll pour myself a glass and use about a quarter cup of it to throw into the sauté. Let that reduce a little and stir it around a few times. Next, add about 2 or 3 Tbls. of Balsamic Vinegar (I like Colavita because it’s a little sweeter), stir and cover. Onto the next station!

Now, rinse off the boneless, skinless chicken breasts, removing all of the fat. I used 3 7 oz. breasts. Turn up the pan to about 300 and sear the breasts tenderloin side down first. After about a minute and a half, turn the chicken over and repeat the sear. Turn down the pan to about 200 and add two cups of water. Once the liquid begins to boil again, add a teaspoon and a ½ of low sodium, plain chicken broth paste. Stir it around so it dissolves properly. Add about a quarter size amount of Thyme on top of the chicken along with some fresh ground pepper. Startin’ to sound good yet? Now, you just let it go! Onto the next station! Continue reading “Chicken and Rice – Easy, Healthy, AND Gourmet?”

by gudfoodie
Barbecue, BBQ & grilling, BBQ food, Breakfast, Drinks, Family, Fish, Fruit, Healthy, Healthy eating, Italian, Light meals, Main Course, Mains, Meat, Meat & fish, Nutrition, One-pan recipes, Quick & Easy, Quick fixes, Recipe Roundup, Salad, Sauces & condiments, Seasonal, Seasonal produce, Sharing, Side Dish, Snacks, Summer, Summer Drinks, Uncategorized, Vegetable sides, Vegetables, Vegetarian

Don Tano Bongiorno’s Slightly Sicilian Twist on Chicken With Mozzarella

Chicken is, and has always been, a popular nourishing dish. There are about as many ways to prepare a delicious chicken dinner as there are countries with their different recipes and tastes.

Today, I’ll share with you a recipe for chicken my mama used to make for us when we were little. She smiles down on us from heaven today knowing she did a good job. None of us turned out to be criminals and none of us ever got mixed up in the Mafia. Besides, I always reassure concerned tourists to Palermo that the Mafiosi no longer carry tommy guns. They carry briefcases stuffed with hundred dollar bills and they buy what they want instead of killing people for it.

Where was I? Oh yes, my Mama’s chicken recipe – Chicken with Mozzarella.

Continue reading “Don Tano Bongiorno’s Slightly Sicilian Twist on Chicken With Mozzarella”

by gudfoodie
Barbecue, BBQ & grilling, BBQ food, Breakfast, Drinks, Family, Fish, Fruit, Healthy, Healthy eating, Italian, Light meals, Main Course, Mains, Meat, Meat & fish, Nutrition, One-pan recipes, Quick & Easy, Quick fixes, Recipe Roundup, Salad, Sauces & condiments, Seasonal, Seasonal produce, Sharing, Side Dish, Snacks, Summer, Summer Drinks, Uncategorized, Vegetable sides, Vegetables, Vegetarian

3 Quick Chicken Recipes That Are Kid-Approved

Chicken nuggets, chicken drumstick, chicken fingers… Kids all around the world just love their chicken! But who can blame them? The meat is readily available, easily prepared and can be cooked in many different ways! But if you want to prepare something new and a little more unique, try these quick chicken recipes that even you will love!

Maple-Baked Chicken Breasts

What you need:

  • 3/4 kg. boneless, skinless chicken
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (less sodium)
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • Salt to taste
  • Ground black pepper to taste

Continue reading “3 Quick Chicken Recipes That Are Kid-Approved”

by gudfoodie