Chicken Kabobs for Father’s Day – Pass the Meat!

When I last blogged, it was to share pictures from a delightful Crepe Cake I prepared for a Mother’s Day gift. Yesterday, I invited a few father friends over to burn meat and relax over a few beers.

Kabobs are a great option when serving a group. A little meat goes a long way! And I was able to gather up a variety of veggies and grill them up for a colorful and delicious meal. Another things I really like about kabobs is that you don’t have to prepare a lot of side dishes because everything you need is on the skewer! All I added yesterday was watermelon and a side of baked beans. They guys were happy!

Chicken Kabobs the Easy Way!

If you’ve read any of my past posts, you know I am hooked on Aldi’s for most of my shopping. It saves a ton of money and they carry a lot of neat things not found at most grocery stores. I think that’s because they originated in Europe, so the selection of some German food stuffs is pretty darned good.

To make a long story short, I purchased at Aldi’s two packages of marinated cilantro-lime boneless chicken breasts and cubed them up for the meat. Easy, right?!?!

Veggies

I basically dug through my fridge to grab everything else added to the kabobs.

Sliced golden potatoes
Shallots
Baby rainbow bell peppers
1 orange bell pepper
Zucchini
Yellow summer squash

Directions

Skewer the cubed meat and vegetables in any order. Lay onto a preheated grill and turn regularly until the chicken is cooked and the veggies have a nice char. Serve hot.

Happy belated Father’s Day mates! I hope you enjoyed your afternoon.

If you have any favorite kabob marinades or kabob recipes, send me the link below. I’d love to try them!

Buon appetito!

Spicy Chicken A La Diable Is A La Delicious

Many thanks to a good friend who gifted me Hillary Davis’s “Le French Oven” cookbook for Christmas this year. The photos are gorgeous and I could not wait to dive in and try one of the recipes right away.

All I needed was a French oven (which I do) and a sous chef (that would be me). Most of the ingredients for this divine dish were already in my pantry and refrigerator.

Full disclosure: I know Hillary Davis’s version would be much better looking. But I intend to get better with practice!

Let me first say this chicken dish is divine. The flavors were so good I wanted to lick my plate. My dinner companions called it the most delicious chicken and biscuits they’d ever had.

Hillary Davis gets full credit for the recipe and the instructions. The photos are all mine!

Spicy Chicken A La Diable

Ingredients
1 whole chicken (organic preferred)
2 sprigs fresh tarragon
2 Tbsp olive oil
2-4 potatoes peeled and sliced into matchsticks (1/4 inch)
Salt and pepper to taste
3 Tbsp stone ground mustard
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (I only used 1/8 tsp.)
1 tsp. honey
1 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs (I wish I had made my own rather than using store bought)
2 Tbsp minced shallot
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1/4 cup dry white wine (I used Riesling)
1 1/2 cups chicken stock (I used homemade)
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/8 tsp. cayenne
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 medium tomato diced (I used 2 Romas)

Directions

Pour 2 Tbsp olive oil into French oven. Toss in potatoes with salt and pepper. Place cleaned chicken onto potatoes. Rub with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Bake at 400 degrees 15 minutes per pound.

While the chicken is cooking whisk together sone ground mustard, cayenne, honey, and thyme. (I misread the instructions and also whisked in the tarragon. It still turned out great.) Set mixture aside.

When chicken is ready, remove it from the oven and spread the mustard mixture all over it. Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the mustard paste and pat them down.

Return the chicken to the oven and roast for 15-20 minutes longer. The thermometer should read 165 degrees F. My breadcrumbs were starting to get too brown, so I put the lid on for the last 5 minutes.

Move the chicken and potatoes to a large platter.

Place the French oven on the stovetop. Add the shallot, vinegar, wine, half the tarragon and bring to a simmer for 5 minutes. Add the stock, garlic, 1/2 tsp. salt, Dijon mustard, 1/8 tsp. cayenne, and heavy cream. Simmer 10-15 minutes longer.

Just before serving stir in the remaining tarragon and the tomato (seeds and juices as well). Cook 2 minutes longer.

To serve, ladle sauce on a plate and top with chicken and potatoes. I served it with roasted brussels sprouts and biscuits.

I hope to try many more of the great-tasting recipes in this new cookbook. I’ll keep you posted!

Chicken Thighs: Budget-friendly and Delicious

I happened upon this video from Epicurious last week and then gave it a try using items already in my fridge and pantry. It’s brilliant…simple, delicious, and looks like I spent hours. I’ll be trying more combinations over the coming weeks. This will be the best 2 1/2 minutes you’ve ever spent! Watch it!

Lemon Rosemary Chicken Thighs with White Beans

Ingredients
8-12 chicken thighs
1 fresh lemon, thinly sliced
4-5 cloves fresh garlic, slivered
1-2 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup white wine
Salt, pepper
2 cans white beans or 2-3 cups dried beans you’ve soaked and cooked

Directions
Please rack in top third of oven and preheat to 400 degrees.

Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Arrange in 9×13 baking dish. Brush top of each piece with a small amount of olive oil.

Spoon beans around chicken. Space out the slivered garlic. Tuck in the lemon slices. Pour liquid so that it comes about halfway up the chicken. Leave tops exposed. Lay rosemary sprigs around dish.

Bake in top half of oven until chicken browns, about 30-45 minutes.

It was really that simple!

For a more exotic way to prepare chicken, try spicing things up with chipotle and ancho chili!

Not Your Momma’s Chicken and Rice

I was in the mood for chicken and rice last week but wanted a healthier option than I grew up with as a kid. I looked through my pantry and fridge for what I had on hand and typed a few of my available ingredients into Bing. Batta-boom. Chipotle Braised Chicken and Rice with Zucchini courtesy of Epicurious was just what the doctor ordered. I have included a link to the original recipes. I made a few twists and turns of my own. If you give it a try, let me know what adaptations you make!

Chipotle and Ancho Braised Chicken

Ingredients

1/2 red onion, halved and thinly sliced
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
2 bay leafs
1 T butter
salt
pepper
1 1/2 T olive oil, divided
3-4 pounds chicken quarters
1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile pepper
1/2 teaspoon ancho chili pepper
1 cup homemade chicken stock
1 T fresh lime juice
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Directions

Cook onion, garlic, and bay leaf in butter and 1/2 tablespoon oil with 1/8 teaspoon salt in a skillet over medium heat until onion starts to cook down and caramelize, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Brown chicken in remaining tablespoon oil in and transfer to a plate.

Stir in chile powders and onion mixture into pan and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add stock and simmer.

Place chicken back in, and ladle some of the onions and broth over each piece. Cover and look on low 25-30 minutes. Turn once or twice to get flavor over entire pieces. Transfer chicken and onions with a slotted spoon to a platter. Skim off and discard fat from sauce, then boil until slightly thickened. Stir in lime juice and cilantro and spoon sauce over chicken.

Zucchini Rice

Ingredients

1 cup brown rice
1 3/4 cups cold water
3 T vegetable oil, divided
1 T coriander seeds, slightly crushed
1/4 teaspoon cumin
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 medium zucchini cut into 1/2-inch rounds, then quartered
1/2 cup chopped mixed cilantro, parsley, and mint
1 T fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup pecans toasted and coarsely chopped

Directions

Cook rice and water with 1 T oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt until water is absorbed and rice is tender, about 50 minutes. Place in bowl to cool down.

Saute coriander and cumin in 2 T oil in skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly, 1 to 2 minutes.

Add garlic, zucchini, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Saute until zucchini is crisp-tender, and slightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes.

Toss zucchini with rice, chopped herb mixture, lemon juice, pecans, and salt and pepper to taste.

This made a delicious and healthy dinner if I do say so myself. I hope you will share your favorite chicken and rice dish! Please leave a comment and remember to friend me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/brad.nierenberg.9 and Twitter https://twitter.com/GourmandBrad

Buon appetito!

Chicken Pot Pie – The Perfect One Pot Meal

Many of my friends abhor cooking. I think one of the reasons is that home cooking makes such a big mess in the kitchen. Perhaps another reason is that they know I’ll take pity on them and invite them to eat at my house! lol Whatever the reason, it’s nice to have a few dependable one pot meals up your sleeve to cut down on the mess. Chicken pot pie is also among my favorite comfort foods. I’ve ordered it off menus and restaurants try to jazz it up. But honestly, nothing tastes better than the traditional version. Oh, and kids like it too!

If your traditional version differs from mine, I hope you’ll leave a comment with a link to your own chicken pot pie!

Precook your chicken in the veggie remnants to add flavor before you use it in your pot pie.

Thyme, dijon mustard, and black pepper are the only seasonings you need! Well, you may need salt if your stock is homemade.

Chop up your veggies. Pictured is some chicken stock I made in advance. I always warm my stock before adding it to a roux to speed up the cooking process.

Saute your vegetables in butter for 4-5 minutes then sprinkle in your flour, stir, and cook 2-3 minutes more.

Slowly add your chicken stock and bring to a boil. Cook until thickened. Then remove from heat and add the chicken, peas, thyme, pepper, dijon, and salt (if needed).

Roll out your dough and lay it over your chicken mixture. Cut small slices to vent. You may brush with an egg wash if desired.

Bake in a 250 degree oven for 30-4o minutes until crust is golden. Set, then serve.

Ingredients

1/3 cup butter
4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
2-3 stalks celery, chopped
2-3 potatoes peeled and cubed
1-2 medium onions, chopped
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 or so cups chicken stock (Hint: Make your own. As you will read below, you can even do it while you chop!) (Or use boxed stock, homemade from another day, or even some white wine and water!)
1 tbsp. dijon mustard
1 tsp. dried thyme
salt to taste – this will depend on whether you use your own chicken stock or boxed.
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
3 cups cubed cooked chicken (Hint: I used boneless skinless breast because I was in a hurry. Use whatever you like. Even a grocery store rotisserie chicken would work!)
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
Prepared pie crust, thawed (Hint: I have not yet mastered making my own pie crust, but you could use homemade, or even a sheet of puff pastry.)
1 egg, beaten (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Precook your chicken before you cut it. I boiled mine on the stove top and added my vegetable peelings and some extra celery, carrot, onion, and peppercorns as well. This flavors the chicken before you use it and provides the stock you will need!
When cooked through, remove from stock and let cool. Chop into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
Chop your veggies. (Not the peas!)
Melt butter in an oven-proof skillet.
Add your chopped vegetables and saute for 4-5 minutes. Sprinkle flour over sauteed vegetables and stir for 2-3 minutes longer. Slowly add chicken broth and bring to a boil over low heat. Stir until thickened.
Remove from heat and fold in remaining ingredients (except for pie crust). (Hint: If you have fresh parsley on hand or other fresh herbs, this is the time to add it.)
Roll out one sheet of pie dough so that it fits over the contents in your skillet. Cover top of chicken mixture. Cut a few slices to vent the dough.
(Optional) Brush the dough with the beaten egg.
Bake at 350 until dough is golden brown. This takes about 30-40 minutes.
Let set a few minutes before serving.

Make sure you comment below and leave a note about your favorite recipe for chicken pot pie! I look forward to trying some variations.

What Do You Feed Picky Eater Kids?

When I was young, I ate just about anything put in front of me. There were a few exceptions that I still avoid today like beets. I think I was destined to enjoy cooking and eating! I always feel terrible for parents whose children are picky eaters. I cannot imagine how frustrating it is to cook every night for someone with four or five foods in their repertoire of things they will eat without a meltdown.

I am not offering any advice because I am positive these parents are sick and tired of being judged by their inlaws and acquaintances. Instead, I thought I would list out one or two twists on some tried and true recipes that you might test. If your children are old enough, you can ask them to help prepare the new entree. I’m not sure it will make a difference, but perhaps seeing familiar ingredients presented in a new way would encourage their little brains to give it a try!

Cheeseburger Muffins

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef or turkey
1 package buttermilk biscuit dough
1/2 cup catsup
1 Tbs mustard
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Salt
Pepper
Cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brown and drain meat. Mix in catsup, mustard, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper. Use no-stick spray or butter in muffin tins. You can use any size. I used the giant muffin pan. Flatten individual biscuits with a rolling pin or stretch out by hand and press into muffin cup. Fill with meat. Top with your choice of cheese. I used shredded cheddar, but use whatever your child prefers (if any).

Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until browned.

Mummy Hot Dogs

Ingredients

1 package hot dogs
1 package crescent rolls
1 can black beans or black olives

Directions

Why wait until Halloween? Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Unroll crescent roll dough and slice into strips. Carefully wrap each hot dog with 1-2 strips and place on baking sheet covered with parchment paper or a baking mat. Add two tiny bits of black bean or black olive for eyes.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until browned.

Very Simple Chicken Legs

Ingredients

Chicken legs
1 cup flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1-2 good shakes seasoned salt
Dash cayenne pepper

Whatever your kid likes to dip chicken into, or nothing at all.

Directions

Pour 1 cup flour into a pie plate. Mix in seasoning. Dredge each leg in flour mixtures and place in a 13×9 inch baking dish you have greased with no-stick spray or olive oil.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Serve with BBQ sauce, ranch dip, honey, or whatever your family prefers.

Please add a comment and include your favorite recipe for picky eaters. Who knows, your recipe could help someone else find one more entree their child will eat!

Pumpkin Quesadillas — And No, This is Not an Oxymoron!

I mentioned pumpkin quesadillas in an earlier blog which featured cooking with kale, and as you can see, I was not kidding. For some reason, I cannot get enough pumpkin flavoring whenever Fall rolls around, so here goes! Enjoy this Meatless Monday recipe from Rachael Ray:

http://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipe/pumpkin-quesadillas/

Ingredients you will need:
2 cups of canned pure pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Caramelized red onions (if you go for that sort of thing)
4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled (or your choice of cheese)
8 eight inch flour tortillas
½ cup chopped walnuts, toasted (or hazelnuts)
¼ cup of vegetable oil
Salt, pepper, cayenne pepper to taste

Foolproof* Directions (May not apply to ALL fools!):
These are seriously easy to make! I’d suggest saving them for a day when you need something quick. I added some caramelized red onions and cayenne, skipped the nuts, and it made these quite savory.

More Ideas for Quesadillas

Thought to have originated in colonial Mexico (so says Wikipedia), the quesadilla has Americanized over the years. This pumpkin recipe got me thinking about all the different ways you could make quesadillas other than the typical “cheese sandwich” ones. So I turned to one of my favorite foodie websites Yummly, and created a collection, http://www.yummly.com/profile/BradNierenberg/collections/Quesadillas. I plan on trying some of these combinations and will keep you posted! In the meantime, feel free to add your favorite!

Does Beer Go with Chicken? What Do You Think?!?

With the LA food and wine festival past, I want to bring another food and beverage pairing to everyone’s mind: craft beer. Some might not think of craft beer the way they think of wine. I love pairing a good craft beer with a home-cooked meal. IMO, a fizzy, spicy, vaguely fruity Saison complements the spice and depth of flavor in Asian-inspired dishes perfectly. I’ve been attempting variations on this recipe (http://www.carlsbadcravings.com/asian-sweet-chili-sesame-chicken/) trying to find the perfect beer pairing for the sweet/spicy Asian flavors.

The base recipe is as follows. (You’ll need a crock pot.)

Asian Sweet Chili Sesame Chicken
2 lbs chicken breasts
1 ½ tablespoons of cornstarch
¼ cup water
Sriracha to taste (I added this at the end.)
Sesame seeds (your preference on amount)
Green onion (your preference)

For the sweet chili sesame sauce:
1/4 -1/3 cup Asian sweet chili sauce (I use this stuff in everything.)
1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/3 cup ketchup
1/3 cup brown sugar (I added just a bit more)
2 tablespoons Hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar (Unseasoned is my preference.)
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
3-4 garlic cloves, minced (see Tip)
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger (see Tip)
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Tip: Avoid all that grating and mincing and get yourself a good blender. Personally, I use a Vitamix* and would never be without one again. I just toss my garlic and ginger (peeled of course) in whole with the other ingredients and the blender does the rest. Seriously, if you make a lot of marinades and dressings, a quality blender is the way to go. (Or smoothies and milk shakes for that matter!)

Carefully toast your sesame seeds and chop up some green onions for garnish.

Directions:
Add chicken to the bottom of the crock pot.

Little known fact: If you are like me, you ALWAYS forget to thaw your meat a day or two in advance. Am I right? Personally, I’m not a fan of thawing meat in the microwave. But you can throw your frozen chicken breasts in the crock pot with the other ingredients and they will still cook! Try it!

Whisk the sweet chili sesame sauce ingredients together, and pour them over the chicken.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4 hours.
Shred the chicken! Then add 1 ½ tablespoons of cornstarch, mixed with ¼ water, to the crock pot.
Stir everything around and cook on high for 20-30 minutes… or until the sauce thickens.
Add Sriracha if you want it spicier, brown sugar if you prefer it sweeter.
Serve with rice (and beer). Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.

Let me know what you think and what favorite beer you’d pair with this recipe!

*No one paid me a darned thing to mention Vitamix. I just happen to be a huge fan!

Brad Nierenberg the Home Chef

brad | the | gourmand

Category: chicken

Chicken Kabobs for Father’s Day – Pass the Meat!

Spicy Chicken A La Diable Is A La Delicious

Chicken Thighs: Budget-friendly and Delicious

Not Your Momma’s Chicken and Rice

Chicken Pot Pie – The Perfect One Pot Meal

What Do You Feed Picky Eater Kids?

Pumpkin Quesadillas — And No, This is Not an Oxymoron!

Does Beer Go with Chicken? What Do You Think?!?