Sunday, February 12, 2012

Moroccan Tagine Chicken

This is a delicious North African chicken recipe that I tweaked to my liking.  Try it, you might like it!

Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts
2 carrots
2 stalks of celery
1 bell pepper
dried apricots (10-12)
prunes (6-8)
1/4 cup raisins
2 cloves of garlic
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp tumeric
1/4 tsp ginger powder
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp thyme

Directions:

Cut up all of the vegetables and add put into a Tagine or a baking dish.  Rub the spices all over the chicken and add to the vegetables.  Add a 1/2 cup of water and a couple tablespoons of live olive oil.  Bake at 350 for about an hour.  Serve with couscous or Italian polenta.  You will love this easy to make chicken recipe! So, transport yourself to the land of fez wearing snake charmers!



Pasta Bolognese

This is a delicious and classical Northern Italian sauce.  The distinct "pinkness" of this sauce comes from the cream and red wine, which sets it apart from the traditional "red" sauce from Southern Italy.  I know you will come to enjoy this sauce as much as I have!

Ingredients:

1 pound of lean chopped beef
2 carrots finely chopped
2 celery stalks finely chopped
1 small onion
1 small package of mushrooms (optional)
1 large can tomato puree
1 small can of tomato paste
1/2 cup red wine
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp dried Italian/Greek oregano
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried basil
pinch of nutmeg
1 tblspn of finely chopped Italian parsley
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Saute onions, carrots, celery and mushrooms in a large pan.  Once the onions become translucent, add the hamburger meat.  Brown the meat and add the wine, tomato puree, tomato paste and simmer for about an hour.  Add the heavy cream and let simmer another 1/2 to 45 minutes.  Serve over type of pasta.  Add a nice salad, some steamed vegetables and a glass of red wine for a delightful, easy and enjoyable dinner!

Buon Appetito