Fall Essentials Spicy Chicken W Tomatoes Rice Food

FALL ESSENTIALS: SPICY CHICKEN W/ TOMATOES & RICE

Steps:

• PREP/PREPARE
• You will need an ovenproof skillet with a lid to make this recipe. Conversely, you could use a glass baking dish covered with foil.
• To Brine or Not to Brine Brining the chicken thighs is optional; however, in this recipe I think it worked out for the better. If you have the time, fill a bowl with cold water, and dissolve a few tablespoons of kosher salt. Add the thighs and stick it in the fridge for 2 - 3 hours. Then remove, give them a quick rinse, and follow the recipe as written.
• The Chicken I suspect that just about any type of chicken would work in this recipe, dark or light meat, bone-in or out, skin-on or off.
• Homemade Worcestershire Looking for a good Worcestershire without anchovies? It is easy/peasy to make and tastes like the real thing. So yummy. https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/other-sauce-spread/diy-essentials-homemade-worcestershire-sauce.html?r=1
• This will store in the fridge (covered) for 3 - 4 days. Just gently heat up in the oven, and you are ready to go.
• Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• Mix all the dry spices together in a small bowl.
• Sprinkle a generous amount of the spice mix onto the skin side of the chicken thighs and let them rest for about 10 minutes.
• Place a rack in the middle position and preheat the oven to 350f (175c).
• While the chicken is taking a nap, melt the butter in a skillet over medium low heat, until the foaming stops.
• When regular butter stops foaming, it means all the water has been removed through the process of evaporation. Eliminating all the water will help the skin on the chicken get nice and crispy.
• Increase the heat to medium high, wait a minute and then add the chicken, skin side down.
• When the chicken hits the hot butter, you should hear a nice sizzle, and it will stick to the bottom of the pan. Leave them alone. After the first 2 - 3 minutes, use a pair of tongs to try to gently lift the chicken. If it still sticks, wait another 30 or so seconds and try again. When the chicken has crisped, it will easily release without any sticking. The whole process should take somewhere between 3 - 5 minutes, depending on the heat of your pan.
• While the chicken is cooking, sprinkle more of the dry spice mix on the bottom side of the thighs.
• When they are ready, turn them over, and cook for an additional 3 - 4 minutes.
• Remove the chicken and turn the skillet down to medium low.
• Whisk the tomato paste and water together (if you are using the Worcestershire add now).
• Add it to the skillet, then use a whisk or wooden spoon to scrape up all the brown bits (fonds) on the bottom of the pan and dissolve them into the liquid.
• Add the diced tomatoes, stir, and bring up to a slow simmer.
• Nest the chicken into the sauce.
• Cover and place into the preheated oven for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, uncover, and bake an additional 20 minutes.
• PLATE/PRESENT
• Add some of the yummy sauce to a plate, nest one of the chicken thighs on top, and serve with your favorite sides (I prefer steamed jasmine rice sprinkled with some of the dry spice mix). Enjoy.
• Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

CASSEROLE ESSENTIALS: SPICY CHICKEN & BEEF W/ RICE

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. To make this recipe, you will need a good size skillet, or pot with a lid.
• 3. Taco/Italian Seasonings There are a lot of good taco seasonings out there; they come in mild, medium, hot, and fiery. If you have a favorite, please use it. And, the same is true of Italian seasonings. Here are two of my favorites: https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/seasoning-mix/spicy-beef-taco-seasoning.html?r=10 https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/seasoning-mix/italian-essentials-aunt-josephine-s-seasoning-mix.html?r=2
• 4. Rice The choice of rice is up to you. For example, brown rice is more nutritious than white; however, it will get mushy if reheated, so I usually stick to long-grain white rice for things like casseroles. For this recipe I am using arborio rice.
• 5. The Beef and Chicken My reasoning for using shredded beef and chicken is because that is something I had on hand. You could leave out the chicken and/or use ground beef, cut into bite-size cubes; maybe pork?
• 6. How 'Bout Some Cheese Please I just love the combination of a sharp cheddar combined with the kick of some Monterey Jack, but have some fun with it, and choose what you have on hand. Freshly grated, if at all possible.
• 7. Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• 8. Add the chopped bacon to a skillet over medium heat.
• 9. Cook until the bacon has rendered its fat, and begins to crisp, about 5 - 7 minutes.
• 10. Remove with a slotted spoon and reserve.
• 11. Add the onions to the pan with the bacon grease, and cook until softened, about 3 - 5 minutes.
• 12. If your bacon was really lean, you might need to add a bit of oil to pan.
• 13. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 60 seconds.
• 14. Toss in the rice and stir for 2 minutes.
• 15. Add all the dry spices and stir for 2 minutes.
• 16. Add the vegetable stock and stir to combine for 2 minutes.
• 17. Add the tomatoes and chilies and stir to combine for 2 minutes.
• 18. Add the shredded beef, chicken, and reserved bacon, then stir and bring up to a simmer.
• 19. Simmer for 15 - 18 minutes, covered, occasionally stirring, until the rice is tender.
• 20. As the casserole is simmering do a tasting for proper seasoning, adding salt, or additional spices as needed.
• 21. Take off the heat, stir in the lime juice, and sprinkle with the shredded cheese.
• 22. Cover and allow the residual heat to melt the cheese, about 3 - 4 minutes.
• 23. PLATE/PRESENT
• 24. I like to serve this family style by putting out some bowls, spoons, and napkins. Place the casserole on a trivet, and put out sides: diced tomatoes, black olives, sour cream, etc. Then stand back and let your guests have at it. Enjoy.
• 25. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.