Sunday, October 25, 2009

BIG NEWS... and braised chicken :)

Hello friends! I apologize for being so absent lately... I have been way too bogged down with school to post... but I have been cooking! I have a few recipes in the queue, it's just a matter of adding them! Also, a little bit of life changing news in my life...

I'M ENGAGED!!!

Art proposed on Monday and we have already set a date for May, so I have been very busy this week. But, things are generally calming down so I am thrilled to get back to blogging!! I am also pretty thrilled with life in general. :) I am the luckiest girl in the world!!

Anyway, today I bring you...

BRAISED CHICKEN.

This recipe I got from the Pioneer Woman a few months ago, but I can't seem to find it on her site. I believe it was a guest blog from Kay, but I can't find it there either. Regardless, it's the best braised chicken you will ever have.

Hmm... it appears that a large bottle of wine and a grinning mother-of-the-bride have found their way into my ingredients... as usual. (This was before Art and I got engaged, so my dear mother is thrilled about something else! Probably the wine.)


Anyway, here is what you will need: extra virgin olive oil, salt, any part of the chicken (I used drumsticks and breasts here, and I believe it works best with boneless skinless chicken breasts, but you could certainly use whatever you like), onion, garlic, 4 tomatoes, two peppers, cumin, cinnamon, paprika, and the one ingredient I am NOT KIDDING about: CURRY. IF you make this without curry, you are missing out, friends. You'll also need chicken broth (not pictured).


The first thing to do is make the marinade/sauce/whatever this stuff is. Start with 6 Tablespoons EVOO (yes, 6.):


Grate in some garlic cloves. I used 8, because you really want the garlic flavor to come through. But I guess you could use less if you have to.


I love grating garlic. Mostly because my hands smell like garlic for days afterward, and because there's something really wrong with me, I like my hands to smell like garlic. It's a wonder Art wants to marry me (but he does!!!!!! Excuse me, giddy bride moment.)


I'm serious about this garlic situation.


Add in the following seasonings: 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 2 tablespoons paprika, 2 tablespoons curry powder (DO NOT OMIT!!!!!), and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir well, and you'll get this delightful mixture:


Next dice some up some veggies... like a red pepper...


... and a yellow pepper...

... and an onion...


... and 4 tomatoes. You can also dice up a chile pepper for some spice... but I didn't this time because my momma's a weenie.


Now take your chicken and salt and pepper both sides... like I said, I used drumsticks but really breasts are much much better.


Put some EVOO in the bottom of a skillet and quickly brown the chicken on either side. It won't cook through.


Instant tan!! Notice they are not cooked through.


It's 12:30 a.m. and I'm hungry. Wedding diet=already destroyed. I probably won't even try. Anyway, get all your chicken in a baking dish:


And brush with your delish marinade from above.


Use about half, taking care to get the underside of the chicken.


Add your veggies...


... and use the rest of the marinate. I can't tell you how delicious that really is.


Add your diced tomatoes all on top. Have I said this is the best braised chicken you'll ever eat? It is. And look ma, it's healthy too!!


Bake in a 350 degree for one hour, or until it looks like this:


Enjoy!!


By the way, I am the world's craziest DIY bride, so stay tuned for all my wacky craft projects in the next six (six. SIX?!?!) months!!