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Cooking Tip: Poaching Chicken

July 2, 2009

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Cooking Tip: Poaching Chicken

 

Poaching chicken can save you lots of time when you do not have the time to marinate and bake chicken.  Poached chicken is perfect for cold salads.  Another great benefit of poaching chicken is that this cooking method requires no fat. Here is a technique that you will want to remember for those days when time is really tight and everyone is hungry, and can’t wait to eat.

 

poached-chicken-breasts-resize

Poached Chicken Breasts

 

Poaching Chicken 

Heat the chicken breasts in a pan of barely simmering water for a few minutes.  The amount of poaching time depends on the size of the chicken breasts. Then, let them stand in the liquid until cooked through. They will stay moist and tender, perfect for cold salads. Chill chicken in refrigerator and slice or cube for salad or pasta. 

 

 

chicken-caesar-salad-resize

Chicken Caesar Salad
Romain lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces
 Poached chicken (one chicken breast per person)
Croutons
Shredded Parmesan cheese
Caesar salad dressing
Watkins Granulated Black Pepper or freshly grated peppercorns
 

Place lettuce in large salad bowl or individual salad bowls. Place sliced or cubed chicken on lettuce. Sprinkle with shredded Parmesan cheese. Drizzle with Caesar salad dressing. Sprinkle or grate pepper to taste. Top with croutons. Always add croutons last and sprinkle on top of salad so they remain crunchy and do not become soggy from the salad dressing.

 

Eleisia

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Happy Canada Day!

July 1, 2009

Happy Canada Day to our Canadian followers.

Canada is celebrating its 142 birthday today!

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Pineapple Chicken Kabobs

July 1, 2009

pineapple-chicken kabobs

On the Fourth of July we usually go to a community pancake breakfast and then stay to watch the parade of local business and school floats, school marching bands, girl scouts and boy scouts, antique automobiles, and other groups that add flair and excitement to the parade. Then we come home for a backyard barbecue. I love beef and chicken kabobs with rice cooked in broth made from Watkins Beef or Chicken Soup Base. The rice tastes great with the meat and vegetables.

This year we are planning to grill Pineapple Chicken Kabobs. I plan to cook the bacon and marinate the chicken ahead of time so that when we come home I just have to assemble the kabobs and put them on the grill. The marinade does a terrific job of making the chicken and vegetables tender and tasty.

Pineapple Chicken Kabobs
2 cans (one 20 ounces, one 8 ounces) unsweetened pineapple chunks
1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Watkins Organic Garlic Powder
8 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each
1 package (1 pound) sliced bacon
2 large sweet onions
4 large green peppers
32 cherry tomatoes

Drain pineapple, reserving juice; set pineapple aside. In a small bowl, combine Worcestershire sauce, reserved juice, and garlic powder. Cut each piece of chicken into four strips. Pour 1 cup marinade into a large resealable plastic bag; add chicken. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade for basting.

In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until partially cooked but not crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain; cut in half width wise. Cut each onion into 16 wedges; cut each pepper into eight to ten pieces. Drain and discard marinade. Wrap a piece of bacon around each chicken strip.

On 16 metal or soaked wooden skewers, alternately thread the bacon-wrapped chicken, vegetables and pineapple. Grill, uncovered, over medium heat for 6-8 minutes on each side or until juices run clear, basting frequently with reserved marinade. Yield: 8 servings.

If using wooden skewers soak them in water for at least a half hour before assembling the kabobs.

Eleisia
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Lemon Nut Star Cookies

June 25, 2009

lemon-nut-star-cookies1

These star-spangled cookies are perfect for your Fourth-of-July celebration or picnic. Make these treats throughout the year by using different cookie cutters and food colorings.

1 cup butter, softened
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 eggs
2 tablespoons lemon juice
4 teaspoons half-and-half cream
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup ground almonds
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt

Glaze
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Red and blue food coloring

In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners’ sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the lemon juice, cream and lemon peel. Combine the flour, almonds, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until easy to handle.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with a floured star-shaped cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

For glaze, in a small bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar, corn syrup and lemon juice until smooth. Divide into three bowls. Tint one portion red and one portion blue; leave the third portion plain. Spread over cookies; let stand overnight for glaze to harden. Yield: about 5-1/2 dozen.

Eleisia
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Five Foods to Boost Your Energy

June 23, 2009

Five Foods to Boost Your Energy

Summer is just around the corner, and people everywhere are welcoming the arrival of warm weather with outside activities.  Whether you’re taking a summer trip to a tropical destination, camping and hiking, or just hitting the pavement for a daily run, staying active requires that you stay energized.  One of the easiest ways to do this is by focusing on what you eat.

Eating foods that are full of protein, fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and complex carbohydrates can give you an energy boost and sustain your energy levels throughout the day.  These foods not only help you increase your stamina and ability to engage in physical activity, but can also help shrink your waistline.  That’s because high-energy foods, when consumed throughout the day, maintain a healthy blood-sugar level and can help you resist unhealthy snacking.

Focus on incorporating the following foods into your diet this week and you’ll be one step closer to a more energized summer:

Salmon
Salmon is the perfect choice for increasing energy because it’s chock-full of protein and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.  Plus, health experts like the American Heart Association, American Medical Association, American Diabetes Association and USDA all recommend eating seafood twice a week to help improve cardiovascular and heart health. 

Whole Grains
Whole grains are high in fiber, antioxidants and complex carbohydrates, which can keep you feeling energized and help fight off health risks like diabetes and heart disease.  The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend adults include at least three to five servings of whole grains in their diet.

Beans
Beans provide an easy and tasty way to increase your weekly fiber and protein intake.  They’re also full of vitamins, minerals and complex carbohydrates, and help promote a healthy digestive track, reduce the risk of cancer and provide energy to the brain and muscles.

Fruits
Fruits provide energy and other healthful nutrients like antioxidants.  Try adding blueberries, cantaloupe, strawberries, mangoes, and oranges to your daily diet as a quick snack.  You can also try dried fruit options, which are low in fat and easy to store.

Almonds
Almonds are a great energy-boosting snack because they contain good fats, fiber and even omega-3 fatty acids.  Try adding them to your daily eating plan as an easy way to also add magnesium and vitamin E to your diet.

This delicious salmon recipe will energize and help improve heart health. Eat right off the grill with your favorite summer fruits and vegetables or serve as a main dish salad on a bed of lettuce with sliced cucumber and bite-sized pieces of cantaloupe, mango, strawberries, kiwi, and pineapple. Add some whole wheat rolls for a simple yet satisfying meal.

Maple Soy Glazed Salmon
1/3  cup pure maple syrup
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2  tablespoons soy sauce
2  tablespoons olive oil
1  tablespoon finely chopped garlic
4  salmon fillets, 1-1/4-inch thick (6- to 7-oz. each)
3  bunches green onions, trimmed to 7 inches in length

1. Whisk together first 5 ingredients in a bowl until combined well. Pour half of marinade in a glass pie plate or dish just large enough to hold salmon, reserving remaining marinade.

2. Preheat grill. Put salmon in dish and turn to coat. Let fish marinate, turning occasionally, at room temperature for 20 minutes.

3. Grill fish, skin-side up, on a lightly oiled rack over moderate heat, uncovered. Turn once until golden brown and just cooked through, for 10 to 12 minutes total. Grill green onions, laying them crosswise on a lightly oiled rack. season with salt and pepper to taste and grill, turning once, until just tender, about 3 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, bring remaining marinade to a boil in a small saucepan and simmer 1 minute. Serve salmon over green onions drizzled with sauce. Makes 4 servings.

Eleisia
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Champion Cookies for Dad

June 18, 2009

Champion Cookies
This Sunday is Father’s Day! Bake your dad or husband some Champion Cookies to show how much you care and to appease his sweet tooth. Pack the cookies in a box or tin and decorate with his favorite team logos and pictures or self-pictures drawn by each family member . Give him the box accompanied by lots of hugs and kisses!

2/3 cup shortening
1-1/4 cups packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon Watkins Vanilla Extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon Watkins Baking Powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 Snickers candy bars (2.07 ounces each), chopped
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats

In a bowl, cream shortening and brown sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Stir in chopped candy bars and oats.

Drop by round tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto greased or parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at 350° F for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. Yield: 3 dozen.

Eleisia
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3 Great Grilling Techniques

June 13, 2009

grill

Want to impress your friends and relatives with your grilling skills? Here are three advanced barbecuing techniques that are guaranteed to please your guests.

grilled-sesame-salmon

Steaming
Place delicate fish or vegetables inside a package you make from a sealed square of aluminum foil. When sealing the edges, be sure to leave some space for the steam to circulate. Instead of putting the packet directly over the hot coals, place it on the cooler side of the grill for slow cooking. This method of cooking will seal in juices and natural flavors. Give foods a boost of flavor with bold spices and condiments instead of fats and oils.  Add herbs, spice blends, mustard, vinegar, garlic, lemon juice or fresh ginger.  If oil is added, make it just a teaspoon of highly flavored oils such as olive or sesame. Preparation is easy.  No special equipment is necessary.  And, cleanup is a breeze.

Rotisserie
While this method requires more complicated equipment and longer cooking times, it can be a real crowd-pleaser. Rotisserie cooking allows you to evenly cook an entire bird or large piece of meat while retaining most of the natural juices. Place a whole chicken, well seasoned with salt and pepper, on a rotating spit directly over the flames. The key to good rotisserie is to keep what you’re cooking well balanced on the spit. An unbalanced rotisserie means uneven cooking.

Smoking
You don’t need fancy equipment to give a smoky flavor to your food. “Flavored” wood chips or an assortment of fresh herbs work just as well. Wood chips come in a variety of flavors, including mesquite and hickory. To prevent burning, soak them in water for about an hour before using and place them over the coals just before you begin to cook your food. You can also soak a bunch of fresh herbs — like sage, thyme, and rosemary — and sprinkle them on the coals before cooking.

Salmon with Bell Peppers
4 sheets (12×12-inches each) non-stick foil
4 salmon fillets (4 to 6 ounces each)
2 medium red bell peppers, cut in strips
2 medium yellow bell peppers, cut in strips
2 medium green bell peppers, cut in strips
1/4 cup water
4 teaspoons olive oil
1 teaspoon Watkins Basil
1 teaspoon Watkins Dill
Watkins Garlic Powder

Preheat grill to high.

Center one salmon fillet on each sheet of foil with non-stick (dull) side toward food. Arrange pepper strips in a rainbow pattern around each fillet. Sprinkle pepper strips with water.

Pour one teaspoon olive oil on each fillet. Sprinkle each fillet with basil, dill, and garlic powder. Shape foil sheet around fish and peppers and seal edges.

Grill packets 16 to 18 minutes on covered grill or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Number of Servings: 4

Eleisia
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Around the Kitchen Table Watkins Newsletter – June Issue

June 12, 2009

foodheading

Welcome to another issue of Around the Kitchen Table!

Read this issue now: http://www.everydaynecessities.com/june1-09newsletter.htm

You’ll find more recipes and Watkins products on sale this month.

June is National Dairy Month. Serve your family plenty of  milk, yogurt, and cheese, adding calcium to you and your family’s diets keeps bodies strong and healthy.

Pacific Cooler
2 cups Mango Sorbet
1/2 cup coconut milk
1 teaspoon Watkins Rum Extract
1 cup canned or ripe fresh pineapple chunks

Combine about 2 cups of sorbet, coconut milk and rum in a blender and blend on medium speed until smooth. Serve immediately in tall glasses garnished with pineapple chunks. Serves 2.

Blueberry Cheesecake Shake
3 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup milk
1 cup blueberries, fresh or partially thawed
1/4 teaspoon Watkins Vanilla Extract
1 cup vanilla frozen yogurt or ice cream

Combine cream cheese, milk, blueberries, and vanilla in a deep bowl or the blending container of an immersion blender. Blend until smooth.

Add frozen yogurt or ice cream; use an up-and-down motion to blend mixture until smooth. (If you are doubling the recipe, use a stand-up blender.) Serve immediately. Serves 1.

The giveaway this month is a tube of Natural Beeswax Lip Balm with Peppermint Oil and a 2.7 fl oz travel size bottle of Great Outdoors Insect Repellent Lotion.

Until next issue,

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Great Hor’douvres for Father’s Day!

June 11, 2009

As moms, we often get spoiled on Mother’s Day with special gifts, special food (like these yummy hor’douvres) and lots of special attention.  While Dads don’t say it often, they enjoy a good show of attention and appreciation, too.  Father’s Day is the perfect opportunity to show the “Dad” in your life how much he means to you and your family!

It’s been said that “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Why not appeal to his stomach (and heart) with some Great Hor’dourves for Father’s Day!?!  If you want to go above and beyond weenies on a stick – here are a few suggestions to make this Father’s Day special:

Antipasto Kabobs

1 package (9 oz) refrigerated cheese tortellini
40 pimiento-stuffed olives
40 large pitted ripe olives
¾ cup Italian dressing
40 thin slices pepperoni
20 thin slices hard salami, halved

Cook tortellini according to package directions.  Drain and rinse in cold water.  In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the tortellini, olives, and salad dressing.  Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.

Drain and discard marinade.  For each appetizer, threat a stuffed olive, folded pepperoni slice, tortellini, folded salami piece, and ripe olive on a toothpick or short skewer. (You could jazz this up and even out the spice with little chunks of mozzarella or slices of provolone cheese, too!)

Bacon Water Chestnut Wraps

1 pound sliced bacon
2 cans (8 oz each) whole water chestnuts, drained
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup chili sauce

Cut bacon strips in half.  In large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until almost crisp, drain.  Wrap each bacon piece around a water chestnut and secure with a toothpick.  Place in an ungreased 9×13 baking dish.

In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, mayo, and chili sauce.  Pour over water chestnuts.  Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until hot & bubbly.

For a meatier take on this, try these Marinated Scallops Wrapped in Bacon.  Yum!

Chicken wings are another great offering for that special Dad!  There are so many different versions to match a variety of tastes, and they’re not difficult to make!  One of these might spice things up your Father’s Day Honoree:

Restaurant Style Buffalo Chicken Wings

Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

Thai Chicken Wings with Peanut Sauce

Baked Barbecue Chicken Wings

So, this year – go beyond the soap-on-a-rope or flashy tie and feed Dad’s appetite for good food.   It’ll show how much you care!

Debbie Taylor is a wife and busy stay at home mom of 2 daughters.  She enjoys blogging, baking & cooking – and is addicted to coffee & tea.  When she’s not blogging at The Queen Mommy’s Cafe, she’s hosting princess tea parties.

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Campfire Taco Salad

June 10, 2009

taco-salad-campfire

Kids and adults will love this Campfire Taco Salad served in a corn chip bag. Just roast some marshmallows or make s’mores for dessert and you have a complete meal.

Campfire Taco Salad
Served in a corn chip bag, this easy outdoor meal is flavorful and fun.

6 snack-size bags (1-1/2 ounces each) corn chips
1 can (15 ounces) chili without beans
3 cups (12 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 cup sour cream
1 jar (8 ounces) mild salsa
1/2 medium head iceberg lettuce, shredded

Cut the top off each bag of chips; set aside. Place chili in a saucepan; cook on a grill over medium heat for 10 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of chili into each bag of chips. Top with cheese, sour cream, salsa and lettuce. Yield: 6 servings.

Eleisia

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