Tuesday, January 24, 2012

home cooking...

I love to cook. Before I was a full-time IFer, this was my main hobby. I just love food and making new dishes makes me feel really creative and accomplished. Although I haven't been cooking as many new dishes, I do still make my favorite comfort foods pretty often.

This week, I made a dish that always makes me think of my mother. To me, it is a childhood favorite meal that is scrumptious. But, as I make it, I do wonder if other people would think it was strange. It is a chicken dish that has a sauce that includes orange juice concentrate and garlic. There is more to it, but what you end up with is saucy, moist chicken that is served over rice. Luckily, KG likes it a lot too. But, I remember making it in college, for my roommates, and having them a little weirded out about the ingredients.  Still, it makes me happy every single time we eat it.

Do all families have meals that they make, that might appear strange to others? Do you?

P.S. Thanks so much for all the suggestions about both Menopur burn, and how to pass the time. I tried injecting it myself, very slowly, tonight and it went MUCH better. As for passing the time, anything involving baked goods, movies, and/or massages sounds good to me.

So exciting to see so many new readers. Welcome!

12 comments:

  1. Ummm...(as per my comment three minutes ago on your last post) DEFINITELY get on Pinterest - it'll fuel your cooking habit!!! (I can send you an invite if need be.)

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  2. I wish you could come over and cook for me! I don't really like cooking and my diet is suffering because of it.

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    1. I can send you several good, really easy recipes. I am the queen of 30 minute meals. Screw Rachel Ray. LOL

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  3. I need some of those recipes also!! I used to cook a bunch but slowly... as IF has taken over my life... I have become more and more lazy with it. Maybe some new recipes would inspire me. :)

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  4. MMMM pie. I had pie tonight and cake. I pigged out but you know why. Glad going slower with the menopur has helped. We found out that it helped us too.

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  5. Here from ICLW. I LOVE to cook...I find myself too tired or consumed or whatever to make great meals and it makes me so sad. I have a friend whos mom used to make chicken like that and I loved it. I've always wanted to make it for DH but don't have the recipe. I'd love the recipe if you're willing to share. :)

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    1. Sure!
      2tbs vegetable or canola oil
      1 package (5 or 6 pieces)of chicken thighs (skin on, bone in works best)
      2 chicken breasts (optional)
      1 regular sized can of frozen orange juice concentrate (I like pulp free)
      1/2-3/4 cup of chicken broth
      2 cloves of garlic, chopped (or more, to taste)
      pepper to taste
      white rice (enough to feed 2-4 people)


      1. brown the chicken thighs in oil, skin down, for a few minutes (don't cook through, just brown the skin on high heat)in a frying pan that has a lid (I suppose you could use a dutch oven as an alternative)
      2. Remove chicken and pour out excess fat
      3. put chicken back in, flesh side down, and throw in the garlic for 30 seconds or so, careful to avoid burning the garlic
      4. add in broth and orange juice concentrate (doesn't even need to be de-frosted, just use a wooden spoon to break it up into chunks. The juice should melt quickly and mix with the broth.
      5. spoon some of the sauce over the thighs, add pepper to taste, and cover with lid.
      6. simmer on med/low (just a low bubble)
      7. If you are adding chicken breast, cut it up into bite size pieces and add to sauce after about 15 mins of cooking. Cook 8-10 more minutes.
      8. If you are not adding breast, simmer thighs for a total of 25-30 mins.
      9. Serve over rice.

      I like to add a little of this good citrus hot sauce to my own plate. Yum!
      Voila!

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  6. I think the chicken sounds really good! I would be happy to come over and sample it. An NPR series before the holidays discussed weird family holiday meals. The one I heard was bizarro, some kind of beet casserole, I think.

    Have you seen The United States of Tara? I am so obsessed with that show right now.

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    1. I have seen a few episodes and I loved it. But I am more of a Dexter fan. I hear I should be watching Homeland.

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  7. I think the orange and garlic sounds good! One thing I can't stand that my Hubby grew up on was tuna noodle casserole. I never had it as a kid and when he made it for me I thought it was gross!

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  8. I always marinate my chicken with a little orange juice.

    I'm from Texas and often find myself combining tex-mex with barbeque. Barbeque chicken fajitas or quesadillas, both an easy fix favorite.

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