Monday, February 20, 2012

Comfort Food

Some days just require a little indulging with our food.  Today is one of those days.  The weather is cold, sky is gray and our moods today match.  Dwight got up and decided homemade waffles was just the thing, and I decided to make the warm berry topping to go over them.  It's making us both smile to just imagine how good it's going taste and that alone is a little mood brightener.  

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Mayo Clinic Low Sodium Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Ingredients

    • 3 tablespoons seedless raisins
    • 1/2 cup chopped onion
    • 1/2 cup chopped celery
    • 1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 1 cup chopped and peeled apple
    • 2 tablespoons chopped water chestnuts
    • 4 large chicken breast halves, with the bones removed, each about 6 ounces
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 cup fat-free milk
    • 1 teaspoon curry powder
    • 2 tablespoons all-purpose (plain) flour
    • 1 lemon, cut into 4 wedges

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 F. Lightly coat a baking dish with cooking spray. In a small bowl, add the raisins and cover with warm water. Set aside and allow the raisins to swell.
Spray a large skillet with cooking spray. Add the onions, celery, garlic and bay leaf. Saute until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and add the apples. Cook for another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Drain the raisins and pat with paper towels to remove the excess water. Add the raisins to the apple mixture. Stir in the water chestnuts and remove from heat. Let cool.
Loosen the skin on the chicken breasts. Place the apple-raisin mixture between the skin and breast. In another skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until browned, about 5 minutes on each side.
Transfer the chicken breasts to the prepared baking dish. Cover and bake until a meat thermometer registers 165 F, or about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven.
While the chicken is baking, heat the milk, curry powder and flour over low heat in a saucepan. Stir until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. Pour the mixture over the chicken breasts. Cover and return the chicken to the oven and bake another 10 minutes.
Transfer the chicken breasts to warmed individual plates. Spoon the sauce from the pan over the chicken and garnish with lemon wedges