The Bright Side

szechuan chicken with peanuts

Last week I found a recipe for Szechuan chicken.  I am pretty much a pansy when it comes to spicy food, I tend to steer clear of it.  But, something about this recipe called to me.  I did change a few of the ingredients due to particular likes and dislikes of certain family members. The result was delicious, fresh and healthy, with just a hint of heat and oh so yummy.  

This dish will forever more be a regular around here and now I would like to share it with you. Feel free to tweak away and call it your own!

Ingredients    

• 1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken, cut into thin strips
• 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 3 Tbsp. hoisin sauce
• 2 Tbsp. honey
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 tsp. chili-garlic sauce (adjust this amount up or down according to your need for heat)
• 1 Tbsp. canola oil
• 1/4 tsp. ginger
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups sugar snap peas
• 2 medium carrots thinly sliced, julienne style
• 1/4 cup unsalted, dry-roasted peanuts

Directions:

After cutting the chicken into thin strips, combine in a bowl with just 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of the hoisin sauce.  Toss well and set aside.

Mix the remaining 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of hoisin sauce along with the rice vinegar, honey, chicken broth, and chili-garlic sauce in small bowl and set aside.

Heat a deep pan or wok over medium-high heat.  When a drop of water sizzles, add the canola oil and chicken.  Cook for 2-3 minutes until almost cooked through, stirring frequently.

Add the garlic and ginger, cook for 20 seconds or so until fragrant.  Toss in the snap peas, carrots and peanuts.  Cook for about 2 minutes until the vegetables are crisp tender.

Stir in the hoisin sauce mixture.  Bring to a boil and cook until the sauce thickens, stirring constantly. When the chicken is cooked through, takes about 1 minute, remove from heat. 

Delicious served over rice.

Makes 4 servings.  

 

I have a confession to make....

Yes.  It's true.  I have a confession to make...

I...have been lusting after ... a pot.

Yes.  A pot.  That's what I said.  Silly, I know.  But, it is not just any pot.  It is a beautiful Le Creuset dutch oven in Caribbean.  Isn't that a lovely name for a color?

I first saw said pot on The Pioneer Woman's blog.  Damn Ree and her amazing giveaways!  Putting all sorts of crazy ideas in my head!  (Seriously, if you haven't discovered The Pioneer Woman, then you are in for a treat! Head over there immediately.)  Wait!  Maybe after you finish reading this post.  

Anyway, it was love at first sight.  (I lead a rather sheltered life.)  Ever since then, I haven't been able to stop imaging all sorts of delicious concoctions bubbling away within that pot.  

See for yourself.

Isn't it gorgeous? You could decorate an entire house around that pot! It is now officially the one and only item on my Christmas wish list.  Last year I received several bowls that I had lusted after. My loving and obliging family showered me with bowls of all shapes and sizes.  We dubbed it, "the year of the bowl".  

This year just might have to be "the year of the pot". 

Have you had any experience with the Le Creuset line?  Does it live up to the hype?  

apple cinnamon oatmeal

Almost every morning, I make myself a big bowl of oatmeal. I add a colorful variety of ingredients to up its nutritional value and "yum-appeal". My very favorite combination is apple cinnamon oatmeal.

It's easy to make and very good for you, too. But, the best part is that it keeps me energized and satisfied all morning long. For all the WW people out there, it is 7 pts. made this way.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 C. Old Fashioned Quaker Oats
• 1 C. skim milk plus calcium 
• 1 tsp. cinnamon 
• 1/2 scoop vanilla Amplify protein powder 
• 1 tsp. olive oil  
• 1 apple diced 
• 1/2 Tbsp. ground flax
• A sprinkle of Grape Nut cereal for crunch (2 tsp. or so) 

Directions:

Add oats and milk to a bowl. Sprinkle generously with ground cinnamon. Bake in the microwave about 2.5 minutes give or take, depending on your microwave. Wash and dice the apple while you wait.

Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave and add the protein powder, olive oil and flax. Stir until mixed well. Now add the apple and stir again. Sprinkle the top with Grape Nut cereal(for the crunch factor) and enjoy.

I pair this with a big ol' mug of green tea each morning. This combination gives me a healthy jump on the day.  Recently, I saw on KERF (Kath Eats Real Food), that she mixed a bunch of chopped spinach to her oatmeal for even bigger power boost. I haven't tried it yet, but I plan on it this week. I'll let you know how that turns out.  Rumor has it that you can't even taste it.  We'll see!

Do you have a go-to breakfast that keeps you happy until lunch?  I'd love to hear about it.