Recipes for chicken

Good morning.  These are recipes that I found at Better Homes and Gardens.  I hope you find something that sounds tempting enough to try out.

Chicken and Mushrooms
Prep: 15 min.
Cook: 40 min.
Ingredients
1/4  cup all-purpose flour
1/4  teaspoon salt
1/4  teaspoon pepper
1/4  teaspoon paprika
4  chicken thighs, skinned
4  chicken drumsticks, skinned
2  tablespoons cooking oil
1  medium onion, sliced
2  cups whole or sliced small mushrooms
1  medium red sweet pepper, cut into 1-inch-wide strips
3  cloves garlic, minced
1/2  cup dry red wine or beef broth
2  tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1  14-1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes
2  teaspoons dried Italian seasoning, crushed
1/4  cup half-and-half or light cream
1  tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/4  cup snipped flat-leaf parsley
Hot cooked pasta (optional)

Directions
1. In a plastic bag combine the 1/4 cup flour, salt, pepper, and paprika. Add 2 or 3 pieces of chicken to the bag at at time. Seal; shake to coat well.
2. In a very large skillet heat the 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat. Cook chicken in hot oil about 10 minutes or until well browned, turning to brown evenly. Remove chicken from skillet, reserving drippings in the skillet.
3. Add onion, mushrooms, sweet pepper, and garlic to skillet. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add red wine or beef broth and balsamic vinegar. Cook and stir 5 minutes more.
4. Add undrained tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Bring to boiling, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Return chicken to the skillet; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 20 minutes or until chicken is tender and no longer pink. Remove chicken; keep warm.
5. Stir together half-and-half or light cream and the 1 tablespoon flour; add to skillet. Cook and stir until slightly thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 1 minute more. Return chicken to pan; heat through. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve over hot cooked pasta, if desired. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Oregano Chicken and Vegetables
4 servings  
Ingredients
1-1/2  to 2 pounds meaty chicken pieces, skinned
1/4  teaspoon salt
1/8  teaspoon black pepper
Nonstick cooking spray
1  clove garlic, minced
1  lemon, thinly sliced
1  large tomato, peeled and chopped (3/4 cup)
1/2  cup pitted ripe olives
1/4  cup chopped onion
1/4  cup snipped fresh parsley
1  tablespoon snipped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
1/8  teaspoon ground red pepper
1/4  cup dry white wine or chicken broth
3/4  cup chicken broth
1  medium green sweet pepper, cut into strips
1  medium red sweet pepper, cut into strips

Directions
1. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Lightly coat a nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Cook chicken over medium heat about 15 minutes or until light brown, turning once. Reduce heat.
2. Place the garlic, half of the lemon slices, half of the tomato, the olives, onion, parsley, and oregano over chicken pieces in skillet. Sprinkle with ground red pepper. Add the wine and the 3/4 cup broth. Simmer, covered, for 15 minutes.
3. Add the remaining tomato and the sweet peppers. Cook, covered, for 5 to 10 minutes more or until sweet peppers are crisp-tender and chicken is tender and no longer pink. Transfer the chicken and vegetables to a platter. If desired, garnish with remaining lemon slices. Makes 4 servings.
Serve with rice

Chicken with Parmesan Noodles
4 servings    Start to Finish: 20 minutes
Ingredients
1  9-oz. pkg. refrigerated angel hair pasta
4  large carrots, thinly sliced
2  Tbsp. butter
1-1/2  lb. skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/4  cup purchased basil pesto
1/4  cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
Olive oil (optional)
Fresh basil (optional)

Directions
1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, in 12-inch skillet cook carrots in 1 tablespoon melted butter over medium heat for 3 minutes. Add chicken; cook and stir 4 to 5 minutes or until no pink remains in chicken. Add pesto; toss to coat.
3. Drain pasta. Return to pan; toss with remaining butter. Serve with chicken mixture. Sprinkle pasta with Parmesan cheese and ground black pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and top with basil. Makes 4 servings.

Here is a copy of my Daily OM:
February 4, 2008
Stepping Back From Anger
Argument

When we find ourselves in an argument, we may feel like we are losing control of emotions that have taken on lives of their own. When we can become aware that this is happening, taking a deep breath can help us step back from the situation. Once we can separate ourselves from the heat of the moment, we may find that the emotional trigger that began the argument has little to do with the present situation, but may have brought up feelings related to something else entirely. Looking honestly at what caused our reaction allows us to consciously respond more appropriately to the situation and make the best choices.

We can make an agreement with our partners and those closest to us that asking questions can help all of us discover the source of the argument. The shared awareness can result in finding simple solutions to something physical, like low blood sugar or even a hormonal surge. Maybe we are taking ourselves too seriously, and we can just laugh and watch the tension dissolve. We could also discover that perhaps we are addicted to the excitement that drama brings and the chemicals that our body creates when we are angry. But there may be a deeper issue that requires discussion, understanding, and patience. The more we allow ourselves to step back and examine our reasons for arguing, the easier it becomes to allow real feelings to surface and guide us toward solutions that improve our lives.

When we can be clear about our feelings and intentions and communicate them clearly, we have a far better chance of getting what we want than if we lose control or allow our subconscious minds to manipulate the situation. We might take our frustrations out on the people closest to us because we feel safe and comfortable with them, but misplaced anger can cause more harm than good. Arguing for what we truly believe can empower us and help us to direct our passions toward greater life experiences. Truly knowing our reasons for arguing enables us to grow emotionally in ways that will affect our whole being.

How true is that?  How many times has something happened and you just know it is going to cause an argument with someone?  Do you imagine the argument before it even happens?  Do you think about what you'll say if that person says "this or that" to you?  If the argument does happen, does that make you psychic?  Or just smart enough to know how that person will react?  Or is it possible that you've already gotten your back up (like an angry cat) and the other person senses it?

I know that I am almost always on the defensive.  I've learned through the years to be prepared to defend.  That's just the way things were for me and how I learned to cope and protect myself.  Being prepared for the battle was how I got through life.  Now I have to wonder, if in being prepared for the battle, I was often the cause of the argument. 

What if I just enjoyed my life and didn't worry about others and how they may or may not react?  Maybe then my life would have more of those qualities I've been looking for.  Peace, a sense of contentment, being happy and feeling loved. 

Well, it's something to think about.  Ahh, but the question is, how do you unlearn living your life on the defensive.  How do I take off armor that I've been wearing for 30+ years?  Better yet, how would those around me react if I were actually able to do that?  LOL  I would guess, if I've lived my life on the defensive and prepared for the battle, that I have probably surrounded myself with similar people.  If I lay down my sword, so to speak, what will they do?  Join me in peace or attack while I'm defenseless.

It's an interesting question.  LOL  I can picture me standing there with my sword down and half a dozen knives in my back.  Hm, it may take a while to learn without trying to foresee the possible battles ahead of time.

See...my journal isn't all fluff, tips, and stuff.  Sometimes I delve into more thought provoking writing. 

Have an absolutely beautiful day! 
Welcome to any new readers & hugs to all my friends! 

Tags: recipes, chicken, Better Homes and Gardens, daily om, defensive, Jill Marie