Chicken-Stuffed Bell Peppers with Black Beans and Corn

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I have written previously about our affinity for Cuisine at home, so I won't go into too much detail here, but suffice to say, it is a wonderful magazine for anyone who enjoys spending time in the kitchen and trying new recipes.  My husband's amazing Aunt Kathy introduced me to this cook's dream of a subscription about 6 years ago...and I've said a silent thank you to her from my kitchen numerous times since!  One lovely thing about this publication is they do not have a website of recipes.  They do have a website, but the magazine that you've paid for doesn't show up for free online...ergo, making the dollars you spend on it completely worth it!  Did I say I wasn't going to go into too much detail?  Okay, I lied.  But trust me, it is so worth the "investment" of $29 for two years. The other awesome-ness about this is that not one of these recipes has been a "bomb"...they haven't all been super favorites, but I could probably do about 10 blog posts alone of recipes we absolutely love, just from Cuisine at home.

Here is one of the latest new family favorites learned from the July/August 2015 issue.  I share it with my notes, plus I have "their recipe" and "my recipe" because both times I've made this (the second time at the request of my 7 year old mind you), I've strayed a little from their instruction.

Chicken- Stuffed Bell Peppers with Black Beans and Corn

Issue No.112 July/August 2015 Cuisine at home

½ cup quinoa (dry)

1 boneless skinless chicken breast (I use 1 lb ground chicken or ground pork instead)

2 tsp olive oil

2 Tbsp seeded and minced jalapeño

2 Tbsp chopped scallion whites

2 Tbsp minced fresh garlic

1 Tbsp fresh lime juice

1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup fresh or frozen sweet corn

¾ cup shredded pepper Jack cheese, divided (we like our cheese, I use ¾ cup in the recipe, and another ¼ cup as garnish)

½ cup plain Greek yogurt (I use ¾ cup due to the additional ground meat)

2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

1 tsp each ground cumin and chili powder

½ tsp coriander, kosher salt, and black pepper – (for both lines of spices, alter as you like, we add more heat if we add more Greek yogurt)

4 red bell peppers, halved lengthwise, stems, ribs, and seeds removed (we had green peppers in our garden, and they were delicious! The first time we made this, we used all colors of peppers)

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375°

Cook quinoa according to package directions, set aside.

Their recipe:

Cook chicken in oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until completely cooked.  Transfer to a plate to cool, then shred with two forks.

Sauté jalapeño, scallion whites, and garlic in the same skillet over medium-low heat until fragrant, 2-3 minutes.  Deglaze skillet with lime juice, scraping up any brown bits.

My recipe:

Cook jalapeño, scallion whites, and garlic in oil 2-3 minutes until fragrant.  Add ground meat, breaking up with spoon and stirring in aromatics as you go.  Completely cook all meat.

Continuing with their recipe + my notes:

Combine beans, corn, ½ cup (3/4 cup if you’re us) cheese, and cilantro in a large bowl.  In a separate smaller bowl, combine yogurt with all spices, salt, and pepper, mix thoroughly.  (they have you add it all together in one bowl, I like to get the spices mixed into the yogurt first).  Mix quinoa and chicken (or pork) into ingredients in large bowl, and then add yogurt mixture.  (side note – the yogurt mixture alone also makes an amazing tortilla chip dip…just saying).  Arrange bell peppers in a 9x13-inch glass baking dish; spoon filling into bell peppers. If you're like me, you'll have way more filling than peppers.  I just bake it the same, either in the pan or in a separate baking dish.  If you only have peppers: add 2 Tbsp. water to bottom of dish to help steam the peppers. For all dishes: cover with foil and bake 30 minutes.  Remove foil; bake another 10-15 minutes.

Garnish bell peppers with remaining ¼ cup cheese and scallion greens.

5 (yes, only 5) ingredient popsicles

Recently we signed our little one up for Kiwi Crate, a monthly delivery of age appropriate themed crafts.  One of the extra bonuses are e-mails with heads up on extra crates, craft ideas, and...recipes!!! If you are a regular (well, as regular as you can be with my irregular posts) reader of this blog, you know we love to try recipes around here.  This one was for homemade orangesicles.  It was 5 ingredients....truly 5.  Not like those ridiculous "6 ingredient" meals that include some sort of processed boxed ingredient with 50 components.  No. These were, and I'm doing this totally from memory right now:
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup orange juice
3 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon orange extract

Mix those together, pour into molds, freeze, done.  Not to mention, they are amazingly delicious.  Here is the link to the original posting on Kiwi Crate.  Next, our own pictures of Evie making her own yummy treats, and then enjoying them!

Bringing the Pub Home

Thanks to Mark's wonderful Aunt (and my friend) Kathy's suggestion, I now have a subscription to Cuisine at Home.  The first issue I received included a collection of recipes titled "Bring the Pub Home" as well as a recipe for making your own corned beef.  With St. Patrick's Day just a few weeks away, we decided to make it a weekend of friends and food!

The main event was the corned beef, but we had enough for two nights of menus.  I made the list of ingredients for all 7 recipes: Fish & Chip Cakes, Crispy Chips, Welsh Rarebit, Stewed Tomatoes, Corned Beef, Braised Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Apple, and finally, the Apple Mustard Sauce for the Corned Beef.  It was a long grocery list.  That night, we got right to work getting the brisket ready for the corning process.  

Once again, Mark is wishing for better knives.

The first step was to trim the fat.  Then you pricked the meat all over on both sides in order for the spices and tender quick to work.  Below is a picture of the spices after I grinded them.  Let me tell you, I wish I could put the smell here somehow for you...it was the best potpourri EVER.

Then I got up close and personal with the brisket.  The tender quick and spices had to be rubbed in thoroughly on both sides.  Just what everyone wants to do at 9:00 p.m. on a Wednesday night, right?

The last step before putting it in the refrigerator and ignoring it for 36 hours is to cover in plastic wrap and weigh it down.  Because of the corning process, you have to do this all in a non-reactive pan.  I only have one large glass pan, so I had to make two loaf pans and the plastic jug of apple juice we bought for the recipes. After 36 hours, I had to take all of that off, flip the meat over, and then put it back.  More on this later...we cooked the corned beef on Sunday.

MENU 1 - SATURDAY NIGHT

Saturday night we did the recipes from the first part of the issue, the "Bring the Pub Home."

Fish and Chip Cakes with Crispy Chips & Welsh Rarebit with Stewed Tomatoes

I only took these two shots that night, one, because we had dinner guests and two, because the food was so darn delicious I forgot to pick up the camera again until it was all gone.  The fish cakes turned out a bit bland because I did not adjust the fish cake ingredients to match the extra cod we bought figuring we'd make extra for the 3 couples plus one child eating. However, the HP sauce and malt vinegar saved the day.  The rarebit was to die for and the stewed tomatoes were a great addition.  I also could have done without the homemade chips, and used the salt and vinegar chips we purchased for the fish cakes. 

MENU 2 - SUNDAY NIGHT

Braised Corned Beef with Braised Brussels Sprouts and an Apple-Mustard Sauce

And now, drum roll please...the results of our first attempt at making corned beef...it was AWESOME.  It could have been baaad though.  One, because while I read the part about cooking for three hours, I somehow missed the fourth hour of resting time and then the overnight in the refrigerator.  However, I decided three hours in the morning, an hour to rest, and then into the fridge until it was time to reheat it on the stove top should work.  That plan was great except for the part where I was up at 6 in the morning chopping the veggies for the braising.  The second reason why it could have been bad was I braised the beef for the three hours, then pulled it out to the stove top to rest and let out the steam.  It wasn't until we sat down in church that I remembered I left it out on the stove top...and I also left the dog out of his crate.  Super Hubby ran home, put the undisturbed (WHEW) beef in the fridge, and made it back to church before the opening hymns were done.  Here is how it looked when it came out:

We made the Rarebit again, but put it in a bread bowl and skipped the tomatoes.  It was good, but the pouring of the cheesy sauce over individual pieces and broiling that we did the night before was better.  The Brussels Sprouts were a big hit...one of my guests had four helpings I think.  So did I!

Best compliment a chef can receive...no leftovers!

I looked for the link to these recipes to put here, but Cuisine at Home does not post them right away.  It is actually something I really like about this, because it makes my subscription worth something, rather than "why do I get this magazine again?  I can just get the info on the web..."  So, I do recommend this to home chefs, I love new recipes that come with new techniques! Also, did I mention there are NO advertisements?  Just recipes, tips, tricks, and step by step instructions to new techniques.  Definitely worth the subscription price of two years for $30.  That's a steal actually, because they gave me one of the best weekends we've had ... cooking and laughing with friends, how do you put a price on that?!

The New Domesticity

I once had a friend tell me I was the only woman he knew that could sit and cross-stitch something while at the same time yell obscenities at a hockey game.  To date, one of my most favorite compliments.  I've always loved that a combination of my parents' tutelage, my education, and my "life education" has given me the "New Domesticity."  A woman who can cook, sew, and (sort of) keep a house, but has also associate produced off-off-Broadway, hung out with pro-hockey players, took master classes with the Ballet Theatre in Boston, took the afternoon off to cheer the Patriots' through the streets of Boston after their 2002 Super Bowl Win...you get the picture.  The ability to sew helped get Mark and I through a tough economic time shortly after we bought our first house.  I interviewed for a promotion in a suit I sewed myself because we couldn't afford new clothing at the time.  I got the job by the way.

I understand that these days, schools do not teach Home Economics...at least not the way they did when I was in school.  Such a shame.  There are many things Mark and I want to teach Evie.  We want to give her the benefit of our combined talents.  My hope is that some day someone tells her she's the only woman they know who can change the oil on her car, star in a musical, and perform heart surgery...all in the same day.

To that end, I was looking for an appropriate way to introduce sewing.  I've tried those ready-made packs where they have pre-punched felt that little ones could sew together...neither of us found it very fun.  True, she was proud when it was finished, but she didn't love the process.  I recently went on a book buying spree, culminating in purchases of sewing books at JoAnn Fabrics.  One of these was a book of sewing projects for children ages 3 and up.  After looking at it, I'm going to have to question the age 3, but for my 4 year old, it worked great.  Evie and I spent a few moments this Saturday morning looking through the first part of the book to decide which project to begin with.

After much discussion and decision making, we agreed on the finger puppets.  Excitement really took over when she realized she would be able to put on a puppet play when we were finished sewing.  I'm really lucky she didn't suddenly decide we needed to make a finger puppet Joseph cast.  Then it was off to JoAnn Fabrics.  She was super excited that we were buying things for HER project this time...instead of waiting around while Mommy picked out fabrics. 

Happy Child. 

Picking our her first sewing kit!

Shopping trip completed, we headed home to get started.  Her first assignment was met with "but Mommy, I just want to sew, not take stickers off of the felt!"  Perfect way to learn that not every step of every project will be a favorite, but when you think about the end result, it gets easier!

We cut out the pattern pieces and then discussed which puppets we were going to make.  After remarking that we seemed to have quite a bit of pink felt, she thought it would be neat to make more than one of the pig puppets.  This then turned into "we could make the 3 Little Pigs!! and then a wolf! and then that could be our play!!"  Unfortunately, I do not have a video of this moment, but was adorable to watch the excitement build in her as we planned out the next steps.  While cutting out the pieces, we got to the ears.  I cut out three, and Evie said "Mommy, that isn't right"  I replied with, "we have three pigs, and each need two ears, so how many do we need?"  Without missing a beat I heard "well Mommy, three plus three is six, so you need to make three more."  Aaaand, her math is already better than her Mother's. 

Then, we got to work.  She did very very well.  She did most of the sewing herself, and only needed assistance a few times with "whoops" moments.  We worked for about two hours in the morning, took a break for lunch and nap, and then finished up in the afternoon. 

Such concentration...

Post nap, note the pink cheeks and Lambie supervising.

Finished project!  (Mommy made the big bad wolf)

PUPPET SHOW TIME!!!

I modified her "tv" with some leftover fabric from another project.  She was quite pleased to have curtains for her production.  Daddy served as the story narrator, then he was recruited to be the pigs so Evie could play the wolf.  It was a fun little interlude and something different on a Saturday! Next weekend we won't have much time at home, so it was nice to do something Mother/Daughter that then turned into some nice family bonding time.

 

 

Go, Go, Go.....

It has now been over a week since the closing of my most recent theatrical endeavor.  For those of you who know me, I feed my inner Leslie Caron, Grace Kelly, and okay, I'll admit it, Norma Desmond on occasion by participating in the local community theater.  For two months we rehearse (and rehearse, three weeks and it couldn't be worse...oops, wrong show), we rehearse after work and on weekends.  Most of us have day jobs, one of my best friends is a civil engineer by day, force to be reckoned with on the stage by night (or matinee).  It is all volunteer, we do it for the love of it. Of course, as with all volunteer groups, there are some that seem so miserable you wonder why they auditioned in the first place, but on the whole, it ends up a good group.  The cast for this show, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, was more than good, they were amazing.  So much so, that after spending the end of November, all of December and January rehearsing with them, and most of February performing, I'm having one of the worst cases of PSD (Post Show Depression) I've ever endured.

Actors' portrayal of PSD. (thank you ladies)

As discussed in a previous posting, I was part of this cast by sheer luck.  I hadn't auditioned because of a scheduling conflict for the rehearsal process, plus, I hate auditioning.  However, one of the "wives" had to drop out, and I was one of their past performers called to check on my availability.  High honor indeed...especially when I learned about the rest of the cast.  My first rehearsal was mostly me sitting in awe of the voices.  Many of my friends and family who attended the show said the vocals could have been prerecorded they were that good.  One even accused us of this!  I promise you, those performers really did sound that good and were live.  That freakishly amazing pit orchestra and music director might have had something to do with it as well...

The dancing for this show was full of tricks gymnastic and difficult for an old gal like me, but I persevered.  I feel for the poor guy who had to heft me, but he did a super job, not one complaint the entire run.  My hope is that some day the doctors figure out what is going on so that I'm not "the fat one" in the ensemble.  However, the fact that I'm nearing 40 and can still throw a cartwheel over a guy's lap reminds me that I'm lucky to do what I can.  The lovely ladies I danced with were hard workers and did super with their partners as well.  The leading lady should be on Broadway with those legs alone, but for now, she's with us, and audiences are happy about that. 

As always, Steven, the director/choreographer must be credited for his work.  He is the best choreographer for all levels that I have ever met.  The man can take pretty much anyone and get them moving in the right direction. 

My first show back after a loooong hiatus was Curtains in 2010.  Evie had just turned 2 years old when it opened for it's three week run.  She would sing a few phrases and talked about Mommy being a mermaid in the show.  My second show was Gypsy in June of 2011.  Then Evie was 3 1/2 and while still too young to see such a show, she did get to witness the kids practicing their numbers and got to see Mommy do her dancing cow bit.  So, for months, when someone asked my daughter what her Mommy did, she'd reply "Mommy's a cow."  Now, Evie is 4, and got to attend her first full length musical...with her Mommy in the cast!  So, even though I rave above about the friends, new and old, as well as the fun I had and the amazing talent I witnessed, my favorite part about this show is my daughter's obvious enjoyment of it as well as the constant question "Mommy, when can I be in a show with you?" 

With Joseph AND his coat!

I wasn't able to take the time to write out messages to each and everyone of my cast and crew mates, but THANK YOU to all of you for being part of my life,  more importantly my daughter's life, and part of our little family's history.  Each and everyone of you have been mentioned by her in some form or fashion and many of you are part of the stories I shared with my husband when I came home from shows or rehearsal.  Some of you welcomed my husband and daughter into the fold when they were around, and some of you are part of our life outside of the theater.  However it is that you've touched our lives, please know we are so grateful.  Merde a thousand times...and take a look at some of the moments Evie shared on our last day of JoTech.

Director, Choreographer, and Issachar (also, "Uncle" Steve)

With Simeon (Mommy's dance partner) and Mommy

Miss Maggie and Mommy...the two halves of the camel!

She loves Miss Maggie and Miss Mandi!

 After-Strike Cast Gathering, Evie saying her good-byes

Hugs for her Mr. Kerry

Mr. Darren, aka Simeon

Mr. Steve, aka the man who beat out the Muppets for Evie's listening enjoyment!

Evie holding court...Mommy's theater friends are good sports

Huggies for Miss Becky!

 

Last, but not least, the actor who portrayed Pharaoh with Evie doing their best "Elvis Hands"

It's About Time!

I had a couple night break from the show, so Mommy was home!  We finally got our act together and were able to try another new recipe!!  Mark's been craving a good curry ever since our visit to Barbados in January and a great Fusion restaurant there.  We looked up a few ideas, found this one, and after a trip to Wegman's the night before, were ready to go!

Our sous chef was otherwise engaged creating this year's valentine's, so we had to make do ourselves.

 

Right off the bat, we decided the sauce didn't have enough kick.  Since we're sharing with a 4 year old, we kept the heat factor down, but did add more red curry paste than suggested (they said 2 teaspoons, we added at least 2 tablespoons) and we added some curry powder.  Other than that, we followed the rest of the recipe to the letter.

Don't know if you can see it, but we're not done and already making notes on the recipe...

I love theater, but I miss our evenings together!

And of course, I miss our little artiste

Okay, back to cooking.  It was a pretty quick process...would have been faster if yours truly had defrosted enough chicken in the first place.  Oops.  Also, Thai ginger?  My new nemesis.  Hard to work with, and really, not as flavorful as the regular ginger I buy at the grocery.  Couldn't peel it, it was hard to chop, grr... 

Limes, chopped peanuts, cilantro for garnish.  Used all three: YUM

I think we need a bigger boat, er, I mean skillet

Thumbs up from Evie!  She liked her rice more though (of course)

All in all, it was a very tasty dish.  I would definitely add more curry, and possibly some kosher salt next time.  I would also not serve it directly over the rice, the rice soaked up too much of the sauce, I would have rather kept the rice on the side.  We now have this recipe, with our notes, in the recipe binder as a "keeper."