Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Country Captain Chicken

I discovered this recipe, years ago, and even with the interesting ingredients, my children loved it, especially over hot, buttered rice. I thought about it, today, and wanted to share it with the more adventuresome of my readers!

Country Captain Chicken
2 chickens cut into serving pieces
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil or oil of your choice
1 large onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
4 cloves of fresh, peeled garlic, smashed and chopped
3 teaspoons curry powder
1- l pound can of diced tomatoes (approximate so a little more or less is okay)
1/2 cup raisins (It works, really!)

Combine the flour, sale, and pepper in a bag. Shake the chicken in the mixture until all are coated. Brown the chicken pieces in a large skillet with the vegetable oil. Remove to a platter. Do not wipe out the skillet! Add onion, bell pepper, garlic, and curry powder to the skillet. Saute until the onion is softened and transparent. Add tomatoes, raisins, and return the chicken to the pan. Simmer, covered for one hour or until chicken is tender.

Serve chicken over rice and spoon sauce over the top.

Questions That Shouldn't Need Asking in a Civilized Society . . .

I was reading the latest posting from Catholic Advocate and they presented three questions that should make compassionate people think:

Why did a Pennsylvania judge  throw out three of seven first degree murder charges against Kermit Gosnell, an abortion doctor accused of killing seven infants after they were born alive?

How does President Obama justify headlining the Planned Parenthood annual gala and accepting their support during his election?

Is it a tragedy only when an innocent life is lost from a bomb or explosion, but not when an innocent life is taken from the womb by a monster like Gosnell?

Fresh Cranberry Bread

Nothing like having a fresh loaf of fruit bread for breakfast. You can grab a slice and slather it with butter or cream cheese or toast it and go from there. A cup or hot coffee or tea and you are read to enjoy the morning paper or check on your e-mail. During the holidays in November and December, I always buy and extra bag of fresh cranberries and freeze them for treat like this during the years.

Fresh Cranberry Bread
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup shortening
3/4 cup fresh or frozen orange juice
Freshly grated orange or lemon zest
1 large egg
1 cup fresh cranberries, roughly chopped
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Vegetable oil spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan.

Mix togehter the dry ingredient. Cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles crumbs. Add the juice and egg to the dry ingredients and mix just to combine and moisten. Fold in the cranberries and nuts. Bake in prepared pan at 350 degrees for approximately one hour.

Another way to bake it is in muffins tins using either cupcake liners or sufficient vegetable oil spray to insure you get a clean release. Reduce the baking time for the smaller breads.

Feeling really creative? A drizzle of lemon or orange icing over a warm loaf or muffins never hurts!

No Fish Eggs Caviar!

The same old dips and salsas can get boring which is why I'm always looking for something new and different for parties. I recently discovered this recipe and am looking forward to trying it. The ingredients are all healthy so less guilt over dipping tortilla chips into it or loading up on a crisp slice of sour dough toast!

No Fish Eggs Caviar!
1/2 pound black-eyed peas
1 medium onion, diced
4 cloves of peeled garlic, smashed and chopped
1 cup diced red onion
1 cup finely diced green or red bell pepper (or a combination of both!)
1/2 cup finely chopped green scallions
1 tablespoon finely diced peeled, fresh garlic
1/4 cup finely chopped Jalapeno chilies
1 cup your favorite Italian dressing
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.

Rinse and soak peas in cold water overnight. The next day, drain and rinse. Cover with fresh water, add the medium onion and four cloves of chopped garlic. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until black-eyed peas are tender - approximately one hour. Be careful and do not overcook.

Drain, rinse, and place cooked peas, onion, and garlic in a large mixing bowl. Add red onion, bell pepper, scallions, fresh garlic, Jalapeno chilies, and dressing. Mix well and season with salt and pepper to taste. Makes about 3 1/2 to 4 cups.