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BikeMrown Posts

White Chicken Chili

3 pounds of bone-in, skin-on chicken breast halves, trimmed of excess fat and skin
Salt and ground black pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 medium jalapeno chiles, stemmed, seeded and rough chopped
3 medium poblano chiles, stemmed, seeded and cut into large pieces
3 medium Anaheim chiles, stemmed, seeded and cut into large pieces
2 medium onions, cut into large pieces (2 cups)
1 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup white corn **optional**
6 medium garlic cloves, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1/4 cup white wine **optional**
2 15-ounce cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons lime juice (2-3 limes)
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro leaves
4 scallions, white and light green parts sliced thin

Season chicken liberally with salt and pepper. Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add chicken, skin side down, and cook without moving until skin is golden brown, about 4 minutes. Using tongs, turn chicken and lightly brown on other side, about 2 minutes. Transfer chicken to plate; remove and discard skin.

In food processor, process half of jalapenos chiles, poblano chiles, Anaheim chiles, and onions until consistency of chunky salsa, ten to twelve one-second pulses, scraping down sides of work bowl halfway through. Transfer mixture to medium bowl. Repeat with remaining jalapenos, poblanos, Anaheims and onions; combine with first batch (do not wash food processor blade or work bowl).

Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from Dutch oven (adding additional vegetable oil if necessary) and reduce heat to medium. Add chile-onion mixture, red bell pepper, corn, garlic, cumin, coriander and 1 teaspoon salt. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables turn translucent, about 8 minutes. Add white wine and cook for2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.

Transfer 1 cup cooked vegetable mixture to now empty food processor work bowl. Add 1 cup beans and 1 cup broth and process until smooth, about 30 seconds. Add vegetable-bean puree, remaining 2 cups of broth and chicken breasts to Dutch oven and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until chicken registers 160 degrees on instant-read thermometer, 15 to 20 minutes.

Using tongs, transfer chicken to large plate. Stir in remaining beans and continue to simmer, uncovered, until beans are heated through and chili has thickened slightly (about 10 minutes).

When cool enough to handle, shred chicken into bite-size pieces, discarding bones. Stir shredded chicken, lime juice, cilantro, and scallions into chili and return to simmer. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper and serve with sour cream, tortilla chips, and lime wedges.

Seared Duck Breast with Cherries and Port Sauce

12-to 16-ounce duck breast half, cut into equal halves
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) chilled butter, divided
1/4 cup finely chopped shallot (about 1 large)
1/2 cup low-salt chicken broth
8 halved pitted sweet red cherries, fresh or frozen, thawed
2 tablespoons tawny Port
1 tablespoon orange blossom honey
1/4 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
pinch ground clove
salt and pepper, to taste

Place duck breast halves between 2 sheets of plastic wrap. Pound lightly to even thickness (about 1/2 to 3/4 inch). Discard plastic wrap. Using sharp knife, score skin in 3/4-inch diamond pattern (do not cut into flesh).  Pat dry and set aside.

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle duck with salt and pepper. Add duck, skin side down, to skillet and cook until skin is browned and crisp, about 5 minutes. Turn duck breasts over, reduce heat to medium, and cook until browned and cooked to desired doneness, about 6-8 minutes for medium-rare. Transfer to work surface, tent with foil to keep warm, and let rest 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, pour off all but 2 tablespoons drippings from skillet. Add shallot to skillet and stir over medium heat 30 seconds. Add broth, cherries, Port, honey, thyme, and clove. Increase heat to high and boil until sauce is reduced to glaze, stirring often, about 3 minutes. Whisk in 1 tablespoon cold butter. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper.

Thinly slice duck. Fan slices out on plates. Spoon sauce over and serve.

Gumbo

1/4 cup vegetable or olive oil
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
8 medium garlic cloves, minced
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
2 boneless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds), cut into 1-inch pieces
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 cups sliced okra (about 8 ounces)
1 pound andouille sausage, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
Sliced scallions, for garnish
Chopped parsley leaves, for garnish

Heat oil in a large, wide, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat until it is hot and shimmers, about 3 minutes. Slowly sprinkle flour into the pot, stirring constantly with a wire whisk to prevent any lumps from forming. Cook, stirring constantly (and taking care to scrape out the corners of the pot), until roux is dark brown (it should resemble melted chocolate), about 25 to 30 minutes.  Set aside and keep warm.

Over medium-high heat in a dutch oven or other large pot, brown the sausage for about 8-10 minutes.   Remove from pot and set aside.  Add onion, celery, bell pepper, garlic, bay and the rest of the herbs & spices.  Cook until vegetables soften slightly, about 5 minutes.  Add in check and cook 4 minutes.  Add diced tomatoes, cook 1 minute.

Slowly stir in reserved chicken broth, being sure to scrape the bottom of the pan.  Bring to a boil, then stir in okra and andouille. Slowly pour in darkened roux and stir to mix thoroughly.  Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low, cover pan, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Taste gumbo to check for seasoning. If necessary, add more salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve over cooked white rice or with french bread, topped with scallions and parsley.

Fresh Salsa

5-6 tomatoes, peeeled and seeded
4 garlic cloves
2 fresh jalapenos, seeded and finely diced
1-2 roasted jalapenos, seeded and finely dices
1/2 to 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
1-2 dry ancho chiles, seeded and ground
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 limes, juiced
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
salt and pepper to taste (1/2 to 1 tsp)

In a food processor, pulse tomatoes, garlic, ancho chiles, olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, salt, and pepper to desired consistency.  Add onion and jalapeno then pulse again if fine texture desired.  Let sit for at least an hour for flavors to develop.

Sweet Potato Biscuits

1 cup hot mashed sweet potato
1 egg
2 cups flour, unbleached
1/3 cup sugar (optional)
5 Tbsp margarine
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
3 tsp baking powder
~2 Tbsp milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a food processor using just enough milk to make soft dough.  On a floured surface, knead lighlty, roll out to half-inch thick, and cut biscuits.  Place on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.

Cucumber Salad

1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tsp water
1 Tbsp fresh dill, minced (1 1/2 tsp dry dill – microwave with 2 tsp water for 10 seconds to refresh dry dill)
3 cucumbers, peeled and sliced thin

Combine first six ingredients, stirring until sugar is completely dissolved.  Pour over cucumber slices, stir, and let sit in refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours. Drain off liquid before serving.

Almond Flour Pancakes

1 cup almond meal
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
2 tbsp oil (coconut or vegetable)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon (or 2 tsp cocoa powder)
1/8 tsp vanilla extract

or

3 Tbsp almond butter
2 large eggs
1/4 cup shredded coconut

Pho

8 cups stock (4 beef and 4 chicken is optimal)
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 teaspoons brown sugar
6 whole cloves  (about 1/2 teaspoon ground clove)
3 star anise  (or 1 teaspoon fennel seed)
1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick, broken
1 (3-inch) piece peeled fresh ginger, halved
3 garlic cloves

4 ounces uncooked wide rice stick noodles (banh pho)
Cooking spray
1 medium onion, peeled and halved
1.5 lbs sirloin, eye of round, or flank steak sliced very thin against the grain  (or 3 cups shredded cooked chicken/turkey)
1 carrot, thinly sliced
2 cups fresh bean sprouts
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions (about 3)
1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh Thai basil
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup fresh cilantro sprigs
1/2 cup fresh mint sprigs
6 lime wedges
1 jalapeño/chili pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
Hoisin sauce (optional)
Sriracha (or other hot chile sauce; optional)

Combine first 9 ingredients in a large stockpot over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 30 minutes covered. Strain broth through a sieve into a large bowl; discard solids. Return broth to pan; keep warm.

Cook noodles according to package directions, omitting salt and fat.

Heat a grill or cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion; cook 8 minutes or until charred on each side. Remove from heat; cool slightly. Slice onion thinly; add to broth.

Add meat and next 6 ingredients (through salt) to pan; bring to a boil. Cook 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Place about 1/2 cup noodles in each of 6 bowls. Ladle about 1 1/3 cups broth mixture over each serving. Serve with cilantro, mint, lime wedges, and jalapeño. Serve with hoisin and Sriracha, if desired.

Other optional vegetables: bok choy, daikon, shitake, bamboo shoots, red bell pepper, red onion, broccoli

Poached Eggs and Hash

1 1/4 lbs unpeeled potatoes, 1/4″ dice
8 oz turkey breakfast sausage (sweet Italian sausage works too)
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup red onion, minced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
2 scallions, thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp parsley, minced
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp paprika
salt and pepper, to taste (about 1 tsp)
1/4 cup grated Asiago or Parmigiana cheese
2 Tbsp white vinegar
2 quarts water
4 eggs

Place diced potatoes in a saucepan and cover with cold water.  Bring to a boil over high heat.  Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.  Drain and set aside.

In a large skillet, brown sausage over medium heat, stirring to break up meat.  Transfer sausage to a plate lined with paper towels to drain, set aside.

Drain skillet and add olive oil returning pan to heat.  Add onions and peppers to pan.  Saute for about 4 minutes, until onions are translucent.  Add green onions, garlic, and potatoes and gently stir mixture.  Cover and cook for 5 minutes until golden crust forms on potatoes.

Stir in parsley, oregano, paprika, salt & pepper (to taste).  Cover and cook an additional 5 minutes.  Remove lid and stir in cooked sausage.  Continue cooking, if necessary, until potatoes are fork tender.  Sprinkle with grated cheese.

In a large pot, combine vinegar with 2 quarts of water and bring to a rolling boil.  Reduce heat to a bare simmer.  Crack an egg into a small bowl or serving spoon and very gently slide the egg into the simmering water.  Repeat for each remaining egg being careful to keep each egg separate.  Poach for 2 minutes.  Remove each egg with a slotted spoon, serve over hash and season with salt & pepper.

Amaretto-Caramel Flan

1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon water
Cooking spray
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 large egg whites
1 1/2 cups 2% low-fat milk
1 cup evaporated skim milk
3 tablespoons amaretto or 1 tablespoon vanilla extract for plain
Mint sprigs (optional)

Preheat oven to 325°. Combine 1/3 cup sugar and water in a small heavy saucepan over medium-high heat; cook 5 minutes or until golden, stirring occasionally. Immediately pour into 6 (6-ounce) custard cups coated with cooking spray, tipping quickly until sugar coats bottoms of cups; set aside.

Combine 1/2 cup sugar, eggs, and egg whites in a large bowl; stir well with a whisk. Add milks; stir until smooth. Add amaretto or vanilla and mix thoroughly. Divide mixture evenly among prepared cups. Place cups in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish; add hot water to a depth of 1 inch. Bake at 325° for 1 hour or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Remove cups from pan; let cool completely on a wire rack. Cover and chill at least 3 hours.

Loosen edges of custards with a knife or rubber spatula. Place a dessert plate, upside down, on top of each cup; invert custards onto plates. Drizzle any remaining syrup over custards. Garnish with mint sprigs, if desired.