Oct 30, 2009 -
When I was developing my recipe for buffalo chicken mac and cheese, I headed to the local butcher to buy chicken cutlets. The butcher said he didn't have any on hand, but could make some for me on the spot. But when I stood there watching him, I couldn't believe how easy it was!
- 4 Comments
Oct 19, 2009 -
I can't always find ground chicken at the store, so when I do, I stock up on it, and use it in various dishes. Last night, I busted out the wok for a spicy and speedy Thai noodle stir-fry, and tonight I'm using the rest of the ground meat to create a newfangled twist on a familiar favorite: meatballs.
Rather than the typical pork-and-beef mix, I'm taking the meatball to a different level with a mixture of chicken, scallions, and ginger — then tossing in shelled edamame, snow peas, and rice to the mix for a balanced supper.
- 1 Comment
Oct 18, 2009 -
For this week's Sunday night chicken dinner, I can't wait to apply the mainstream meat to a home-cooked Southeast Asian meal.
I love preparing ethnic foods at home, and this spicy noodle stir-fry, with its complex flavors, comes together in mere minutes, thanks to quick-cooking (and inexpensive) ground chicken.
Craving Thai takeout, sans the grease?
- 5 Comments
Oct 15, 2009 -
From classic stovetop shells to leek-and-cheddar penne, I've never met a mac and cheese I don't like. But the recipe I'd been craving most of all was one that, up until recently, only lived in my imagination: buffalo chicken macaroni and cheese.
My fantasy finally became reality one weekend when I put together all the elements I'd dreamed about.
- 13 Comments
Oct 12, 2009 -
As I mentioned before, my favorite way to buy chicken on a budget is to get it whole and cut it up into pieces, so I enjoy a taste of every part, from the wings to the drumsticks to the breasts and thighs.
Yesterday, I simmered the chicken in a cacciatore sauce of tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, and herbs, and tonight I'm using another one to make a straightforward roast that can be shredded into salads, soups, and pastas, or simply enjoyed on its own.
For a roasted chicken recipe that you can count on again and again, keep reading.
- 1 Comment
Oct 11, 2009 -
Chicken breasts and thighs have always been a staple in my household, but lately I've been doing some serious wallet-watching, and I've discovered that the best bang for your buck lies with the purchase of whole chickens.
So today, I'll pick up a couple chickens to make a classic poultry dish, chicken cacciatore, which uses every piece of the bird. Cacciatore means "hunter" in Italian, and protein prepared in this style is simmered in a sauce of mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, and herbs until succulent.
- 5 Comments
Oct 05, 2009 -
The start of the week can often be so harried that I don't have time to stop somewhere for takeout or go shopping for groceries. My saving grace? Leftover chicken thighs from yesterday's lightened-up cassoulet.
- 1 Comment
Sep 14, 2009 -
I haven't had Chinese for a while, and lately I've been craving the spicy-sweet flavor profile of that good old standby, General Tso's chicken.
Normally I order takeout at least once a week, but this month I'm on a tighter budget, so I'll take a different route and try to make a home-cooked rendition of this choice restaurant dish.
Not only am I saving money by using up the rest of yesterday's chicken, but I'm also going to lighten it up by eliminating the need for a deep-fryer — and I'll have dinner on the table in well under an hour.
- 6 Comments
Sep 13, 2009 -
Last week, I pounded some pork cutlets and put them on the grill. They were such a smash hit with my crowd that I'm going to use the same technique again this weekend — only this time, with boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I'll be coating chicken paillards with a marinade that's filled with my favorite flavorings, like grainy French mustard, shallots, and dill, and serving it alongside cherry tomatoes tossed with the same bright dressing.
- 0 Comments
Sep 08, 2009 -
Party and I have consumed countless salads over the last few months, from heirloom tomato panzanella to Niçoise salad and everything in between. But I'd almost forgotten about the American café favorite, Asian chicken salad, until I found myself watching Giada at Home one afternoon, and had yet another "must make this" moment. Her version is topped with sliced, roasted chicken and coated in a not-too-cloying soy dressing.
- 4 Comments