Chicken-A-La-King

This is the best comfort food!  I got this recipe while I was in college and it has become a family favorite.  I usually double the recipe and eat the leftovers for lunch.

Chicken-A-La-King Recipe

• 2 oz can mushrooms
• 1/4 c. peas
• 1/4 c. butter
• 1/4 c. flour
• 1    c. chicken broth
• 1    c. half-and-half
• 1    c. diced chicken
• 1/4 c. pimentos
• 4-6 servings rice (I like jasmine rice)
• Pepperidge Farms pastry shells
• salt and pepper

Cook rice according to package directions.

Cook chicken in water on stove top.

Sauté mushrooms in butter; blend in flour, salt and pepper until well bended.

Slowly stir in chicken broth and cream, bring to a boil over low heat, stirring constantly.  Boil 1-2 minutes.  Add chicken, peas and pimientos, heat through.  Serve in Pepperidge Farms pastry shells.

4-6 servings.

How To Cook Brown Rice

Brown rice can be difficult to make, but I found this recipe online and it’s changed my brown rice making life!  So far I’ve gotten perfect rice every time.

Perfect Brown Rice

brown rice (whichever type you prefer)
water – use at least four cups of water for every one cup of rice
salt – to taste

• Rinse rice in a strainer under cold running water for 30 seconds, swirling the rice around with your hand.
• Meanwhile, bring water to a boil in a large pot over high heat.  When water boils, add the rice, stir it once.
• Turn heat to medium and boil, uncovered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• After 30 minutes, pour the rice into a strainer over the sink.  Let the rice drain for 10 seconds, then return it to the pot, off the heat.
• Immediately cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and set it aside to allow the rice to steam for 10 minutes (if your pot lid isn’t extremely tight, place a piece of aluminum foil over pot then place the lid on top of foil for a tighter seal).
• After ten minutes, uncover rice, fluff with a fork, and season with salt to taste.

This recipe is from:

http://pinchmysalt.com/2009/04/06/how-to-cook-perfect-brown-rice/

Fast, easy, affordable Indian food by Sukhi’s

I love Indian food but it’s not always easy on my budget.  I recently came across a spice curry paste at our local grocery store  and decided to give it a try.  It was amazing, and SUPER easy.

The brand is Sukhi’s and it’s sold at Whole Foods, Sunflower Markets and I’m sure other stores (they have a local store locator that you can use on their website: http://sukhis.com/index.php).  You can make it with meat (chicken) or vegetarian (potatoes).  All you do is add your meat, veggies and water.  That’s it!  It all simmers together to form a perfect curry every time!

To make the meal super easy I buy Naan in the bread or deli department and also buy Rice Expressions frozen rice (http://www.riceandrecipes.com/expressions.php).  The rice is ready to go in 3 microwavable minutes.

If you love Indian food but don’t always like to sticker shock of eating out, give this a try.