Friday, March 20, 2020

CHICKEN PILAU


Hello, Hello........Hello   (I watched way too much Three Stooges growing up)

Welcome back for another learning session at Kill It, Cut It Up, and Cook It.

Today we are going back into the pantry and deep into the freezer to see what we can make. We are trying to avoid going to the store unless we really need something important.  Like BEER.

Here is a Southern recipe with Chicken, Smoked Sausage and Rice.  It is similar to Jambalaya but without the tomatoes. It's also called Chicken Bog.



Doesn't that look good???? 

Here's an idea. You're stuck at home and the kids can't go to school. How 'bout taking them to COOKING SCHOOL?  Right in your own home. (what a concept!!!)

My mother always said her two boys would at least know how to cook a basic meal, and sew on a button. She was a wise woman.

So go get the kids and bring 'em along.


I found this recipe and many others at SOUTH YOUR MOUTH



Check 'em out. They have a ton of good looking recipes for us to try.

Before we start, how 'bout a cute kitty.....

 Cooper

OK go grab a refreshing adult beverage and let's get started.




Here's our cast of characters for tonight's episode. 


1 medium sized Chicken



3 ½ Cups of HOMEMADE Chicken Broth



2 stalks of Celery, cut in half



1 small Onion, cut into quarters





3 tsp salt. Divided 2 & 1

1 tsp Black Pepper

1 tsp Garlic Powder

1 tsp Paprika

½ tsp Red Pepper Flakes

1 Bay Leaf



2 Cups of uncooked Long Grain Rice



1 Pound Smoked Sausage




Remove the Giblets and creepy stuff from inside the bird. (if included) Clean and rinse the bird well and place in a LARGE POT with a tight fitting lid.



Add the broth, celery, onion, 2 tsp of Salt, and the next 5 ingredients (through the Bay Leaf)




Bring to a slow simmer over medium heat. Once the broth begins to boil, reduce the heat to medium low, cover tightly and simmer for 1 hour. (I turned it over after 30 min)




Remove said chicken from the broth and set aside to cool. 



Remove the skin and bones from chicken. (SAVE TO MAKE BROTH LATER) Cut chicken into bite sized pieces and set aside.




Strain the broth to remove all the veggies and bay leaf. Return broth to the pot.




I missed a piece of celery


Cut smoked sausage into bite size pieces. Add sausage and 1 tsp salt to the broth.





One boiling, add uncooked rice and chicken pieces. Reduce heat to medium low, cover tightly then cook for 20 minutes or until rice is tender. Stir with a fork a few times during the first 15 minute of cook time. DO NOT stir rice the last 5 minutes of cooking,








Turn off the heat and let dish rest, covered for 30 minutes.



SERVE !





This could not be any easier and was VERY GOOD !!!!!  Very little work was involved and the reward was GREAT.

IF I HAD TO DO IT ALL OVER......

I would have added mushrooms..... Does that surprise you ?????

It was perfect. A nice change from RED meat. 

The Red Pepper flakes and sausage gives the dish a nice "kick"...... 

Try it. You can thank me later. 

See you don't have to go out.




 Don't be a Craig

Be safe, be healthy, be SMART.  Live long and prosper

P.O.T.U.S 24 & 24 Grover Cleveland

Thursday, March 19, 2020

BAKED CHICKEN AND MUSHROOM BUTTER SAUCE

Welcome back Peeps to Kill It, Cut It Up, and Cook It.

So I decided that for the next 60 days NO ONE is touching my food other than my wife, myself or people we know. That means NO GOING OUT TO EAT. 



I feel bad for those in the service industry that are hit so hard by this "thing." (I am not sure what to call it. Pandemic, Epidemic or just plain B.S.)

Regardless, my "Peal of Wisdom" says, "Never set yourself up for disaster."

Since I am of that AT RISK age, we are taking every precaution. 

No close contact, no crowds, no unnecessary shopping.  

We eat at home and pretty much stay here. It gives us more time in the yard and in the kitchen.

That brings us to this weeks show. 

Penny has been working on a corner spot in the yard where the new
"Pollinating Garden" is going. Bought lots of plants, and did lots of work.

It was even given the seal of approval by the "president'


So this week I was looking for something I could make without running to the crowded and CRAZY store.

Drum roll please.......


It's BAKED CHICKEN IN MUSHROOM SAUCE.


This recipe came from DAMN DELICIOUS . I am on their email list and get a couple of recipes per week.

This recipe looked good and it looked easy. And we had Chicken in the freezer.

Let's get to it.




INGREDIENTS



8 Bone-in, skin on Chicken Thighs



Kosher salt & freshly ground pepper, to taste



3 TBL unsalted butter. Divided 2 & 1



3 cloves of Minced Garlic



8 ounces of Mushrooms



1 Cup of HOMEMADE Chicken Broth



½ tsp Dried Thyme



½ tsp Dried Oregano



½ tsp Dried Basil



¼ Cup of Heavy Cream



¼ Cup of FRESHLY Ground Parmesan



1 TBL Whole Grain Mustard




OK, got all your stuff together ???? Let's have some fun


Preheat your oven to 400



Season the chicken (both sides) with Salt & Pepper




Melt 2 TBL of Butter, in a oven safe skillet over medium heat. 

Add Chicken (skin side down) and sear until both sides are a golden brown. (3 ½ to 4 min) 



Set aside.




Melt remaining Butter in the skillet. 


Add Garlic and Mushrooms.

 Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and brown. (5-6 min) Season to taste with Salt & Pepper. 



Stir in the Broth, Thyme, Oregano, & Basil.



Return chicken to the pan.



Place skillet in your oven and roast until completely cooked through, reaching an internal temp of 165 degrees. (25-30 min) Set aside the chicken, leaving the juices in the pan.





Stir in the Heavy Cream, Parmesan, and the Mustard. Bring to a boil; reduce the heat to simmer , and cook for another 4-5 minutes.



Serve, topped with the Mushroom Sauce.

This was easy and took just an hour to make. Add a nice salad and a veggie. (I steamed asparagus) It made for a great, quick meal.



 My Wednesday dinner friend enjoyed it and gave it a thumbs UP.
So did I.

IF I HAD TO DO IT OVER AGAIN

I would change very little on this one. I might add another 4 OZ of Mushrooms, but I have this things for 'rooms.

Try this folks, and get on the Damn Delicious e-mail list.

You can thank me later.

Be well, be safe, be SMART. And Live Long & Prosper