EPIC Dinner

This is another great guilt- free dinner. As Ami would say it was EPIC! I was extra hungry tonight so I made two side dishes: roasted asparagus and surprise mashed “potatoes.” Surprise mashed “potatoes” have become my favorite thing since giving up carbohydrates. They give you the feeling of having regular mashed potatoes without the guilt.

Mahogany Chicken Ingredients

1/2 cup rice wine or medium-dry sherry

1/4 cup strong-brewed black tea

1/4 cup unsweetened pineapple juice or orange juice

2 Tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper

1/4 tsp salt

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and cut into small cubes

1 tsp peanut or canola oil, divided

1 small red bell pepper, diced

2 scallions, sliced

1 clove garlic, minced

Steps

Step 1) Combine wine, tea, juice, soy sauce in a bowl; set aside.

Step 2) Combine cinnamon, ginger, pepper and salt in a small bowl. Cut chicken and rub the spice mixture evenly on both sides of chicken.

Step 3) Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, reduce heat and cook no longer pink inside. Put on a plate and set aside.

Step 4) Add the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil to the pan. Add bell pepper, garlic; cook for a minute or so. Add the reserved rice wine-tea mixture. Bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits.

Step 5) Reduce heat to low and add the chicken.

Roasted Asparagus

1lb Asparagus

1 ½ Tbsp peanut oil

1Tbsp Soy Sauce

1 tsp Sesame Oil

2 tsp sesame seeds

Steps

Preheat oven to 400 F

Step 1) Cut asparagus into 2 inches long pieces

Step 2) Place into a bowl with the peanut oil and mix until each piece is covered

Step 3) Place on a baking sheet and put into oven cook for 15 minutes

Step 4) Mix the soy sauce, sesame oil and sesame seeds into a bowl

Step 5) Take out asparagus and add to mixture

Step 6) Place back on baking sheet and into the oven for another 5 minutes

Surprise Mashed “Potatoes”

1 head cauliflower

1 Tbsp butter

Splash of half-and-half or milk

Salt and pepper to taste

Steps

Step 1) Cut cauliflower into chunks

Step 2) Steam cauliflower until tender

Step 3) Add to blender with butter, and milk

Step 4) BLEND… It takes a while to get to a mashed potato consistency

Step 5) Salt and pepper to taste

Bon Appétit

Things to do for next time

-Cut the chicken into smaller chunks

-Cut the pepper into larger pieces so that they are easier to fork and don’t end up under the chicken and not eaten!

I have always had a love for cooking, the last few years the love has grown stronger. When I am at school I am thinking about trying a new recipe, when I am at work I am wishing I were home baking, and when I am cooking/baking I am super happy. Sounds a tad obsessive I know, but it is the one thing I can do to escape the stress of school!

These recipes were easy to make and very rewarding in taste. I love to make food knowing it is going to make someone happy. Ami has been a huge help! She has been the perfect food critic.

Recipes to come

Rootbeer cookies

Red Velvet Cake Pops