Chicken and Dumplings

Posted by Roxanne on October 7, 2012

Gathering around the table to enjoy a meal is the fiber of a good life. We all need to eat to live so why not make memories, create joy, show love and enjoy a good meal at the same time? I love to listen to the podcast each week of The Splendid Table with Lynn Rossetto Kasper.

A few weeks ago, Lynne was conducting an interview with a chef and I experienced one of those classic “aha” moments. The topic was, “Eat to Save”, particularly referring to not wasting food but additionally referring to the experience we have each enjoyed when we taste a food or smell an aroma from the kitchen that reminds us of home or a particular time in our life. Eat to save is what I hope my family and friends experience when they enjoy a meal at our table. It is probably the number one reason that my life and career has been devoted to food. My mom and dad created the most amazing food experiences and traditions at our table. It may have been for our family of four or a meal for thirty four but each of those memories was an eat to save moment. The rhythm of food preparation in our kitchen growing up will always be a part of me and music to my ears. [Read more…]

Grilled Chicken Bruschetta Salad

Posted by Kathy on September 17, 2012

Is it a salad or an open-faced sandwich? No matter what you call it, Grilled Chicken Bruschetta is a tasty, easy dish—and we love it.

The Midwest has been through a terrible drought—so bad that gardens withered and the produce shriveled. Yet, some—like tomatoes and peaches– seem sweeter or at least, more precious. That juicy summer flavor shines in this dish!

It is one of those dishes that tastes so fresh and yet is easy, so it is perfect to serve on a busy evening. It is also ideal to serve on an evening when you feel you can catch your breath, pour a glass of wine and just enjoy. I am grateful for evenings like that! And, it is perfect for this time of year—when the tomatoes and basil are still thriving and the taste of summer lingers. [Read more…]

Chipotle Orange Chicken Wing Recipe

Posted by Kathy on September 3, 2012

This year, I am greeting Labor Day with joy for the weekend kicks off a change in the seasons. Football games. Cooler weather. Autumn is coming and I want to be done with the summer of 2012 and the intense heat and drought. I am among those that grill all year long—but this weekend I was longing for a change there too, and wanted to grill something different. It had to be easy and fun. For me, it was Chipotle Orange Chicken Wings.

Sticky, messy, finger licking good—everything a wing should be. It is just a natural to serve when gathering to watch the game on television or any evening when friends gather to linger outside and enjoy the cooler evenings.

Roxanne and I love to cook together—and always are sharing new recipes with each other. Yet, we giggle about our different taste preferences. I love sweeter, fruit based sauces on chicken or meat. This fits that description—and yet, I bet Roxanne will like it because it has a captivating spicy kick from the chipotle peppers. Sweet and spicy makes a winning combination.
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Test Kitchen Time…And Lemon Herb Chicken and Vegetable Kebabs

Posted by Kathy on April 23, 2012

Test kitchen days. Fun, tasty and busy. Did I mention fun? Oh and tiring, too.

We have been busy developing recipes for our new cookbook, The Big Book of Babycakes Cake Pop Recipes, due out in the fall. (Robert Rose, Inc.) (It and another new cupcake maker recipe book will join 175 Best Babycakes Cupcake Maker Recipes and 175 Best Babycakes Cake Pop Maker Recipes. ) It is such fun to cook up new ideas and experiment with new recipes. We love it because we get to work together and the room is filled with laughter, wonderful aromas and yummy tastes.

We thought you might like to see some photos of a recent day in the test kitchen.

We baked lots of cake pops. Cakes of every imaginable flavor, plus biscuits, muffins, and doughnuts. Then we tested appetizers—savory morsels, cheesy bites, scrumptious meatballs and more. (We are excited about this new book!)

We have a great test kitchen team! For this book, Julie Bondank, Mandy Totoro and Amy Dowell—are all wonderful assistants that come in to help us. Shown above is Julie Bondank with Roxanne. Below is Kathy with Mandy Totoro.

After a day in the test kitchen, we go home and just like you after a busy day, we are faced with dinner time. I want a big glass of ice tea, a calm table and a healthy dinner. In fact, the dinner I crave on those nights would be great any night. It is so quick and easy and tastes so fresh. My hubby tends the grill, while I toss a salad and enjoy the iced tea. Even if you don’t spend a day in the test kitchen, this easy dinner might be the perfect meal for you after a busy day. Enjoy. [Read more…]

Spanish-Style Chicken in Garlic-Tomato Sauce Recipe

Posted by Kathy on February 6, 2012

Tastes change. It’s sad, but true. A couple weeks ago I remembered an old recipe that I had made, and loved, years ago. I was longing for it— chicken, simmered in tomatoes, onions, and peas. Warm, comforting, easy to prepare and as I recall, very good. It was one of the first meals I made when I was out on my own and newly married and I made it often. I could not erase the cravings and knew I had to make it again.
The tattered and stained recipe confirmed that it was the one, yet I was stumped. Something was very wrong. This recipe was so plain. Where were the seasonings? Surely this was not THAT recipe. I had made it in my dreams so many times last week—and it was thick and rich and packed with flavor. Cruel trick! Not all recipes withstand the test of time.
I was still craving chicken in tomatoes. So, out with the old – and in with the new. This version is the comforting, easy dish I was longing for. It is a recipe that you can easily adapt to your own tastes. I love baked dishes, because it seems I always have things to do while dinner bakes. I love recipes that I can add more zip and flavor to—when I am longing for spiciness. I love dishes that I can add peas to—just because I love peas.
This time, I split the whole chicken—which is surprising easy to do and makes for a fun presentation—but the dish would be really good with any of your favorite, bone-in chicken pieces. I served it on rice, but next time, I just may serve it with mashed potatoes, cooked pasta or just, as is. I will have to see what I am longing for that night.
So, here is my new version of that chicken recipe. Give it a try, as it just might be the perfect dish for your family tonight.