Julia Childs once said, “I enjoy cooking with wine, sometimes I even put it in the food…” In reality, it seems like all food is better when cooked with/in wine. Water and broth just don’t cut it. In order to achieve layers of flavour, some form of alcohol needs to be included. That’s just the way it is.
Poultry
Herbed Chicken with Maple and Irish Whiskey Glaze
Oh yeah! This chicken has it all! The three S’s — Sweet. Savoury. Spicy. And to top it off, it’s darned delicious! Glazed with maple syrup and Irish whiskey, it even has won the approval of an incomprehensibly lovely Italian!
Creamy Smoked Gouda Chicken and Mushrooms
Inspiration can come from the most unusual places. While on the phone with a fantastic customer service representative, conversation gravitated towards food – no surprise, as it was supper-time. If you’re reading this, Anthony, your suggestion of modified chicken alfredo prompted this amazing dish. Two batches later, I’m still hoping for leftovers!
Thai Chili Stir Fry
Unanticipated. Surprising. Unexpected. Wow! And then there are the enthusiastic praises of my favourite son. And sadly, no leftovers.
Celtic Jambalaya
Years ago, while visiting the Seattle area for a music conference, we ate at a most impressive restaurant in Redmond, Washington. “The Celtic Bayou” is a mash-up of Irish pub food and Louisiana cajun dishes. Strange combo, but incredibly successful.
Southwestern Turkey Soup
This is the third type of soup I’ve made this week. Can you tell that I LOVE the coolness of autumn, and the opportunity to make more substantial and comforting food? This has a little bit of heat, but is surprisingly simple and quick to make.
Poultry Seasoning Blend
I love making seasoning blends from scratch – curry powder, taco seasoning, you name it. Maybe it’s a control issue, a little defiance against over-priced packaging from the store, or the fact that I don’t plan far enough in advance to know every ingredient for my menu. Either way, custom-mixed seasoning blends are the way to go.
Summer Basil Marinated Chicken Thighs
I haven’t had time to plant a garden yet, but my front patio is full of pots of herbs – parsley, thyme, cilantro, sage, and basil. Lots and lots of basil. Just rubbing my hand over the basil releases an aroma that makes me so happy.
Peking Chicken
Did you know that a Pekin chicken is a short, Chinese Bantam with a ridiculous amount of feathers all the way down their legs and covering their feet? That’s what I learned when accidentally misspelling Peking Chicken. I guess you’re never too old to learn!!!
Garlic Scape Hummus Chicken
I don’t like surprises. At least most of the time. Practical jokes, pranks, surprise parties – not my deal. But this dish was a very, VERY pleasant surprise. Chicken and garlic are always a good idea, but this brought the basics to an off-the-charts level.
