What to do with left over fried chicken. A little mayo and a Dave’s hamburger roll.

Fried chicken thighs

Fried chicken thighs

My brother told me the other day that he gave into an urge and went to KFC. He said it was good, I still won’t go back I know it won’t hit the taste buds like my mind remembers. Once on our yearly trip to visit our sister in MN while looking for something to eat we found The coop restaurant if I remember correctly it was a small 2 or 3 tables on the corner restaurant that said they had the best fried chicken. We were very excited as was my sister. We got there went in and strolled up the the counter and ordered, the first thing they asked us was did you call the order in? Thought at was odd but they took our order and we sat down. Susan who was the most excited about the chicken ordered a burger. Soon our food came and a line started to form. We didn’t think anything of it but by the time we were done eating and heading out the line at the counter was out the front door and around the corner. We understood why it was great chicken, pressure cook then fried up juicy and delicious.

Anyway Lyn was fasting so I grabbed some boneless chicken thighs and the Air fryer.

I put flour in one bowl, beat an egg with some hot sauce in another, then gluten free panko bread crumbs in the last, you can make this all gluten free on not at all.

After dredging the chicken in flour

Coat with egg

Then into the breadcrumbs.

I had preheated the air fryer to 400 and before putting chicken in I did quick spray of oil placed the chicken in and then another quick spray.

Set the temp to 400 and 10 minutes.

Turned the chicken over 1/2 through and check with instant thermometer it was done 162 degree let sit the temp would rise to 165ish

I diced one piece an put in a salad as protein.

Other things I’ve been making

Other things I’ve been making

Kugels Deli 1st non home cooked meal.

Kugels Deli 1st non home cooked meal.

It happened and during this pandemic. After what 3 months we broke down and needed something to eat that someone else prepared. Now visions of steak dinner, big Italian meal, Thai are roaming around our heads but our final decision ended with Kugel’s Deli A small always packed New York Style Deli. I got corned beef (lean, I had a physical coming up next week) and Lyn got the roasted turkey both on marble rye We order pickup and enjoyed the meal at home. Lyn loves the roast turkey you can watch them carve right form the turkey if you stand in the right spot.

I had to borrow a picture from their web since we gobble both our sandwiches down.

Half a roasted chicken with Broccoli puffs.

Just another quick meal, we got in the habit of buying roasted chickens from Whole foods when they are on sale for $5.99 cutting in half and Food Savering, there that word again, freezing.

This makes for a quick meal and leftovers for salads and sandwiches.

Quick Chicken Parm from the gut.

Quick Chicken Parm from the gut.

We braved the outside world Sunday armed with mask, bloves and bottle of purell and went to Whole foods during senior hours. Beside the better quality products we get a kick out of being carded. There was a line so we waited a proper 6 feet apart. I was surprised to see a few people without masks perhaps they were survivors and had anti bodies. While there, we grabbed some air chilled boneless chicken breast and also a package of bone in. Yesterday while food savering, is that a word we have a Food Saver and use it, we agreed on chicken parm for dinner.

I did the Pan-fried Chicken Cutlets then put sauce on bottom of pan, placed the cutlets spread mozzarella cheese then sauce (left over from ragu but did not have sausage in it) spinkeled so grated parmigiano. cover with tin foil. I out in refrigerator since it was still early afternoon. When i took out I placed in preheated oven at 350 degree and cooked fro about 15 minutes. removed foil and place slices of provolone cheese back in oven until melted.

This is always a good go to comfort meal that is really easy.

Chicken thigh stir fry

Lyn is fasting this week so I get to cook what I want, wahooo. Last night I made a what do I have stir fry.

Ingredients

  • Chicken thigh cut into 1 inch pieces.
  • Diced green and red pepper
  • Diced green beans
  • unsalted peanuts
  • Diced sweet onion
  • Diced celery
  • Four mixed with pepper, salt, onion powder, garlic powder

Sauce

  • Nothing was measured justed mix together
  • low sodium soy sauce
  • sesame oil
  • Red pepper flakes.Rice wine vinegar
  • honey
  • NOW TASTE and adjust
  • A little cornstarch and mixed again

How

  • Put the flour mixture in a plastic grocery veggie bag add chicken and shake to cover. I like to blow the bag with air twist and then shake.
  • heat over medium high heat oil in wik or fry pan
  • Shake off excess flour and add chicken – you may have to do in batches depending on how much you have.
  • Fry the chicken until just about done tossing to crisp all sides. and put aside
  • take all the other veggies and stir fry about 4 minutes until semi soft.
  • Add checien back in and mix, ass peanuts and sauce mix to coat and thicken the sauce.

NOW EAT

I normally would have added scallions but did not have any left.

Today’s lunch

And then…..the new air-frier attachment.

Cauliflower Coates chicken and Fry’s.

We loved the air-frier that Missy gave us a few years ago but a few weeks ago it died. We ordered the air-frier attachment for the instantpot and finaly used it tonight. Should say we ordered just as Amazon started with up to 1 month delivery for no. Essential items. What the heck do they know.

I was nervous because it seemed so much smaller so I baked the chicken and air-fried the potatoes. They actually came out pretty good and it has a built in turn food mode, in this case shake. I’ll have to fool around with the timing but feeling better about it. Ribs are calling me.

Other things I cooked during the stay in place orders

I love cooking and trying new things and being ordered shelter in place i’ve done a lot more. I’m trying to keep it interesting for Lyn but as I am sure you all we have both gained a little weight. Even with my almost daily 3-4 mile walks through the woods it’s been tough.

Baked potato tops with cheese, avocado and chilli, yes the potato is under there somewhere
Red Onion Relish
Veggie broth made from scraps good for soup base
Breakfast for supper
Salad for lunches with any leftover proteins or not
Lots of this
Salad and cauliflower crust pizza
Chicken cacciatore sort of with lentil pasta , got to use what you have
spaghetti and meatballs
Ravioli Puttanesca but added sundried tomatoes good addition
Roasted Veggies
Boredom
A very bland recipe for lettuce wraps not to be repeated
air fryer chicken
American Goulash
A much better lettuce wrap chicken cooked from the gut

And more……tonight Broiled BBQ-Spiced Rubbed Salmon

Thank Goodness we have a freezer for Butcher Box and Misfit Market

Stay safe and go wash your hands

Lyn and Steve

Chicken Cutlets on Spaghettini with Toasted Pine Nuts and Raisins

Chicken Cutlets on Spaghettini with Toasted Pine Nuts and Raisins

Lyn found this in the Boston Globe the only change we would make is add sundried tomatoes and add when the raisins are added.

The key to a romantic dinner at home is to keep it simple. Something quick can be just as impressive and elegant as a restaurant meal. For this dish, take thinly sliced chicken breasts and serve them with a white wine sauce made with pine nuts and raisins. If you can’t find ready-sliced skinless, boneless chicken cutlets, ring the butcher’s bell and ask the butcher to slice some or slice your own at home; one pound of chicken yields about four cutlets. Coat the chicken cutlets lightly with seasoned flour and pan-fry them. Take them out of the pan and start the sauce. Toast pine nuts first with a touch of garlic (hey, if you’re both eating it at the same time, nothing to worry about). Add raisins, rosemary, and white wine, simmer the sauce, reheat the chicken in it, and swirl in butter off the heat. Serve the cutlets on spaghettini; you can boil it while you cook the chicken. You’ve got the rest of the bottle of wine that didn’t go into the pot, a nice dish, and a quiet table away from the craze of a crowded restaurant.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup flour
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1-pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons raisins
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 cup white wine
  • 2 tablespoons butter, cut up
  • ¼ pound spaghettini (This is #3 spaghetti)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

How

1. In a shallow bowl, mix the flour with salt and pepper. Dredge each cutlet in the flour and shake lightly to remove the excess.

2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil. Add the chicken and cook for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, or until golden. Transfer the chicken to a plate.

3. Add the pine nuts to the pan, and toast for 3 minutes, or until they are aromatic and just beginning to brown. Add the garlic and cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes.

4. Add the raisins, rosemary, and wine. Bring to a simmer and return the chicken to the pan. Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, and stir in the butter. Swirl the pan gently until the butter is incorporated.

5. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghettini and cook, stirring occasionally, for 9 to 10 minutes, or until it is tender but still has some bite. Drain without rinsing and divide between two plates. Spoon chicken cutlets and sauce on each and sprinkle with parsley.

Pan fry 3-5 minutes until golden and remove to plate
Toast pine nuts then add wine, raisins, rosemary bring to boil and then bring to simmer
Swirl in butter add chicken back in and simmer for 5-9 minutes
place chicken on top of bed of spaghettini and top with sauce
Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve. we served with a slow rise olive bread from Nashoba Brook Bakery

What the heck is slow rise and what are some Benefits of Slow Rise Breads?