Saturday, my wife and I decided it would be a beautiful day to head North... Michigan, this time of year, can be fantastic or nasty...Forecast looked good, so we took a road trip. Casino in Manistee was busy, but not lucrative for us! Wild life sighted was one turkey, one deer, a hawk feasting on a rodent, and sundry animals being made into part of the road bed(road kill!).
When we got home, a hardy bean dip with tortilla chips was a good snack...I use refried beans, red salsa, browned,ground burger, cheese, and extra ground cumin-filling, warming and easy!
The next day, I'm scrounging for a Sunday meal, as shopping will happen later that day. I had some huge bone-in chicken breasts(3=3lbs.!)and my wife wanted chicken salad for sandwiches during the week... I decided to simmer the chicken in chicken broth,water, poultry seasoning, and Balsamic vinegar.. Deboned and chopped 2 of the breasts into pieces to be used in a red sauce over pasta.. For years we have eaten chicken spaghetti-but this time, I did something different! I kept the broth and did the pasta in that flavored liquid... The result was stunning! The sauce was great, but the pasta had taken on a flavor that was a stand alone treat! The chicken/Marinara topped with grated Parmesan was good, mind you- but I could have eaten the pasta alone and been pleased...It was kind of like "dirty" rice, only it was pasta!
Later that day, I made the chicken salad with the remaining breast, which with hard cooked eggs, celery and onions chopped, mayo,mustard,lemon pepper, and dill- came out zippy and good.. Balsamic vinegar is to be used sparingly, but done right- is a fantastic ingredient! I also made some sour cream fudge brownies that came out cake-like and perfect with vanilla ice cream...
Have a good week, everyone!
37 comments:
I am diggin' the 'dirty pasta' I bet that was capital T - tasty...and sour cream fudge brownies - sign me up!
DogB- It was unreal..The flavor infused into the pasta was pronounced and good! This worked like nothing I would have anticipated.. This is a "must try" as the depth it adds to ordinary pasta dishes is stunning!
Even a steaming bowl of hot sour owl shit sounds good if you include brownies and vanilla ice cream for dessert!
You come up with some great ideas Buff!
Sounds like a great weekend.
I was just telling my friend the other day how to make chicken salad to take to work for a healthier choice of food...I'll give up your recipe sounds better!;)
Road trip!!!
Need I say more! I am too dog like. Just get me in the car for a spin. I even hang my appendages out.
Gene- "Simple things, done well".. Brownies and vanilla ice cream of good quality is mindless and enjoyable..
Ake- I swear, this was the best idea in a long time!
K- Better than some, lately!
DarnGirl- Don't know if it's healthy, but it was tasty!
Hit40- Sometimes you just get outta Dodge!
You had me at home-made chicken salad....
I learn so much from you and Dog. Okay, I do simmer my chicken in my own broth with seasonings with I make homemade chicken noodle soup and then I have to skim off the fat before I boil my noodles in it, but the vinegar? NEVER would have thought about that. What does it do? What are the benefits? Inquiring minds want to know!
Damn that spaghetti looks awesome! Our chicken spaghetti looks nothing like that, it's more of a casserole. Both are great but dang I want to taste yours.
LOVE that idea of the pasta.. it sounds fantastic. What a lucky wife you have cooking all the time for her. And you tease you, where is the sour cream brownie ingredient list?? Did I miss something?
YUM as usual and sour cream brownies.. RECIPE PLEASE??! (: And when is that cookbook coming out? Can I be on the sample list?!
Hi Unclebuf,
What a nice Sunday, even with the roadkill. :) I talked to a tech in Detroit today and he said you guys were having gorgeous weather. I hope it stays through the weekend!
--snow
You are starting to everware/wear off on me...:D I made a sweetpotato/peanut butter soup this weekend...and it was gooood!
I'll have to try that pasta in chicken broth trick soon. Enjoy your week! :)
OH god, your blog is soooo bad for my diet.
BTW, I gave you an award.
Ive put on 5 lb just reading this lmfao
x
Dirty Pasta sounds like a non-family video title, but chicken pasta is indeed terrific! Glad you had a nice day; this season of the year is kind of a crapshoot for our weather, too!
Smart idea with the pasta--I've never thought to try that, and I'm the queen of 'dirty rice.'
Manistee is so pretty--I would love to go up there sometime soon.
To all above, I had written a comment to all, but it got wiped out! I apologize, and thank you all for your comments!
Happy Cinco de Mayo!!!!!
G-man- Had our pork "Wet Burrito" last night!
I am definitely trying the pasta. What day are doing it again? LOL Seriously I am going to try that. Sour cream brownies? Are you freakin' kidding me? Where's the recipe mister?
Man that description is making me so hungry...cooking chicken like that sounds like it taste out of this world! The pictures...I want to dive in, but realize it is shallow bowls :)
Kath- B.Crocker fudge brownie mix- make it with three eggs, cut back on water and oil a bit, and add 1/4-1/3 cup sour cream..Baked at 350F for 28 minutes in a non-stick but insulated 9" x 13" pan- they were perfect!
Chef- Chicken was average, but pasta was defintinely better!
My new thing with brownies is turning them into cookies. The balsamic vinegar sounds really good in the chicken salad.
A road trip and good food. Can't beat it!
That pasta sounds fantastic! The sour cream brownies...I can't even imagine what that would taste like, but coming from you, it's bound to be good.
I haven't had a good chicken salad in a while. Maybe I should buy balsamic vinegar (for once in my life) and try this!
PS - Just how much is too much balsamic vinegar...in other words, how much bv do you use in your chicken salad?
At times the taste is all that matters!;)
StarB- Cookies and brownies are about the same thing- thin is a cookie, thick is a brownie!
KB- Our road trips are usually day trips- our Airedale misses us..
Scarlet- I only used about a 1/4 cup of Balsamic vinegar in the broth I simmered the chicken in. The pasta was cooked in the same liquid... No other was used..
DarnG- Sometimes flavor can be elusive..
Pasta in broth always tastes divine:)
I had tortilla chips scoops with salsa too!
I gained 5 pounds just reading this post and it was so totally worth it!
Happy to have found you and thanks for the pasta tip. I'm off to try it tonight!
Mona- You are probably learning more about us and what we eat..America is full of good, diversified food- enjoy!
Petals- Welcome to the blog! Opinions always welcome!
I left a comment back to you on my post.... you need a recipe that uses the big balls!!!! Maybe put them next to a sandwich. I have a good rant tomorrow against males. I am sure you can pop over to hold up your end of the gene pool.
Ah your blog is such a pick me up. I find cooking for 8 every day means I run out of ideas, look at the over stuffed fridge but can't think of a thing to make.
Cheers
Happy Big Cook Day!!!
;)
Post a Comment