Spicy Peanut Chicken and Couscous

Spicy Peanut Chicken and Couscous served in a shallow black bowl.
Spicy Peanut Chicken and Couscous
Print Recipe
    Servings Prep Time
    3-4 people 30 minutes
    Cook Time Passive Time
    15 minutes 0-3 hours
    Servings Prep Time
    3-4 people 30 minutes
    Cook Time Passive Time
    15 minutes 0-3 hours
    Spicy Peanut Chicken and Couscous served in a shallow black bowl.
    Spicy Peanut Chicken and Couscous
    Print Recipe
      Servings Prep Time
      3-4 people 30 minutes
      Cook Time Passive Time
      15 minutes 0-3 hours
      Servings Prep Time
      3-4 people 30 minutes
      Cook Time Passive Time
      15 minutes 0-3 hours
      Ingredients
      Servings: people
      Instructions
      1. Cut chicken into thin slices and combine with soy sauce, garlic, ginger and 2 tsp oil. Cover and keep chilled for an hour if time permits or up to 3 hours in advance.
      2. Bring chicken broth to a simmer. Stir in couscous and cover with a lid. Remove from heat and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
      3. Meanwhile, heat remaining 3 tsp oil over medium-high heat in a wok or large skillet. Add chicken slices and cook until lightly browned and cooked through, tossing occasionally for about 6 minutes.
      4. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in 3/4-1 cup of peanut sauce. You want enough to coat the chicken and make it saucy. Allow peanut sauce to warm but don't let it get too hot or it may separate.
      5. Fluff couscous with a fork and divide between serving bowls. Top with chicken, a drizzle of sauce and garnish with green onion, cilantro and chili peppers if desired.
      Recipe Notes

      -You can use my delicious Peanut Sauce or store-bought peanut sauce.

      -Prep time does not include making the peanut sauce.

       

      Roasted Vegetable Soup

      Roasted Vegetable Soup
      Print Recipe
        Servings Prep Time
        8 cups 30 minutes
        Cook Time Passive Time
        80 minutes 15 minutes
        Servings Prep Time
        8 cups 30 minutes
        Cook Time Passive Time
        80 minutes 15 minutes
        Roasted Vegetable Soup
        Print Recipe
          Servings Prep Time
          8 cups 30 minutes
          Cook Time Passive Time
          80 minutes 15 minutes
          Servings Prep Time
          8 cups 30 minutes
          Cook Time Passive Time
          80 minutes 15 minutes
          Ingredients
          Servings: cups
          Instructions
          1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
          2. Toss parsnips, carrots, apple and garlic with 1 tbsp oil. Spread out on a large baking tray in a single layer. Roast for 40 minutes flipping once after 20 minutes.
          3. Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tbsp of oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and saute until starting to soften, about 5-7 minutes (don't brown).
          4. To the pot add the roasted vegetables, chicken broth, beans, curry paste, and salt. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook on low for 30-40 minutes until everything is good and soft.
          5. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly 10-15 minutes. Puree mixture in a blender until smooth and silky. Return to pot and warm on low if needed. Stir in cream and white pepper. Adjust consistency to your liking with additional broth and season to taste with salt.
          Recipe Notes

          -letting the soup cool slightly before blending is not necessary, however, I find it a little safer than blending the scalding hot soup.

          -the amount of salt needed will be dependent on the saltiness of your broth.

          -makes about 8 cups of soup depending on your desired consistency.

          Peanut Sauce

          A spoon heavy with peanut sauce stands against a mason jar filled with peanut sauce.
          Peanut Sauce
          Print Recipe
            Servings Prep Time
            1 1/2 cups 15 minutes
            Cook Time
            10 minutes
            Servings Prep Time
            1 1/2 cups 15 minutes
            Cook Time
            10 minutes
            A spoon heavy with peanut sauce stands against a mason jar filled with peanut sauce.
            Peanut Sauce
            Print Recipe
              Servings Prep Time
              1 1/2 cups 15 minutes
              Cook Time
              10 minutes
              Servings Prep Time
              1 1/2 cups 15 minutes
              Cook Time
              10 minutes
              Ingredients
              Servings: cups
              Instructions
              1. Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Whisk over low-medium heat until smooth. Increase heat to medium and whisk until slightly thickened and the sauce comes barely to a simmer (do not boil).
              2. Remove from heat and adjust thickness with a little more water or coconut milk if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.
              Recipe Notes

              -The sauce will thicken as it cools, adjust thickness with a splash of water or coconut milk to suit your taste.

              -The sauce will keep refrigerated in a sealed container for up to a week and in the freezer for a month.

              Spicy Miso Shrimp

              Spicy Miso Shrimp served in a small decorative skillet on a dark wooden board.
              Spicy Miso Shrimp
              Print Recipe
              Servings Prep Time
              4 people 20 minutes
              Cook Time
              4-6 minutes
              Servings Prep Time
              4 people 20 minutes
              Cook Time
              4-6 minutes
              Spicy Miso Shrimp served in a small decorative skillet on a dark wooden board.
              Spicy Miso Shrimp
              Print Recipe
              Servings Prep Time
              4 people 20 minutes
              Cook Time
              4-6 minutes
              Servings Prep Time
              4 people 20 minutes
              Cook Time
              4-6 minutes
              Ingredients
              Servings: people
              Instructions
              1. Pat shrimp dry with a paper towel and set aside in a medium bowl. Whisk together remaining ingredients except for canola oil. Toss shrimp with paste.
              2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add oil. Once hot add shrimp and cook in a single layer. Cook for about 2-2 1/2 minutes per side until the paste starts to caramelize and stick to the shrimp.
              3. Remove shrimp to a serving plate and garnish with lime wedges and cilantro if desired. Serve immediately.
              Recipe Notes

              If the shrimp are too crowded in the pan they will not brown in the time it takes to cook them.  They only take minutes to cook, so cook in two batches if you do not have a large enough skillet.  Wipe out skillet between batches.

              Cranberry Pork Rib Roast


              Cranberry Pork Rib Roast
              Print Recipe
                Servings Prep Time
                6-10 people 30 minutes
                Cook Time Passive Time
                120 minutes 20-30 minutes
                Servings Prep Time
                6-10 people 30 minutes
                Cook Time Passive Time
                120 minutes 20-30 minutes
                Cranberry Pork Rib Roast
                Print Recipe
                  Servings Prep Time
                  6-10 people 30 minutes
                  Cook Time Passive Time
                  120 minutes 20-30 minutes
                  Servings Prep Time
                  6-10 people 30 minutes
                  Cook Time Passive Time
                  120 minutes 20-30 minutes
                  Ingredients
                  Servings: people
                  Instructions
                  Pork Rib Roast
                  1. Preheat oven to 475℉. Pat roast dry with a paper towel and season generously on all sides with salt and pepper. In a small bowl whisk together remaining ingredients until smooth and rub evenly onto the roast. Place roast on a large baking tray or shallow roasting pan fat side up. Cook for 15 minutes in preheated oven then reduce temperature to 350℉. Continue to roast for 90-120 minutes or until a thermometer inserted in the thickest part reads 145℉. The meat will continue to rise about 10℉ as it rests.
                  2. Remove roast from oven and cover loosely with foil. Allow to rest for a minimum of 20 minutes before carving. For larger appetites, you can carve the roast into chops between the bones and serve. Alternatively, you can carve off the bones from the center loin, allowing you to slice the loin to your desired thickness. Cut the ribs between the bones and serve along side.
                  Cranberry Apple Sauce
                  1. Heat oil in a small saucepan and sauté shallots for 1-2 minutes until starting to soften. Add cranberries, apple, 1/2 cup water, white wine, brown sugar, rosemary and ginger. Allow to simmer gently, stirring occasionally until the cranberries are soft and the apples are tender. This will take about 20 minutes and most of the excess moisture will be evaporated.
                  2. Stir in jellied cranberry, cinnamon and salt, allowing the jellied cranberry to melt into the sauce. Adjust consistency with a tablespoon or two of water if necessary. The sauce can be made ahead and warmed gently for serving. Makes 1 3/4 cups of sauce.