Cleaning the Cupboard With Flair... Sweet & Spicy Chicken, Salted Potatoes & Medi-Style Cucumber Salad

Certain times require a bit more imagination than others. Have you ever looked in the refrigerator and seen only things that don't seem to match? If so just think outside the box and see what you can come up with. It's best to think of a theme, such as Italian, French, Soul Food or Mediterranean and then pick out the things that would seem to fit in that box. Trust me, you'll be fine as long as you like the things that you are picking out...

On the menu today: Mediterranean Sweet & Spicy Chicken, Salted Potatoes...  

Salted Potatoes

Salted Parsley Potatoes

• Red Potatoes (small to med 2 pp) 
• Olive Oil (to coat)
• Salt & Pepper (1 tsp) 
• Parsley (2 Tbs) 

Start out by washing the potatoes then brush them with oil and seasoning liberally before placing in an oven preheated to 380 for 45 minutes to an hour. Cover with freshly minced parsley right before serving. 

Couscous

Couscous 

• Couscous (1 cup)
• Water (1 cup)
• Salt (TT) 
• Olive Oil (1/4 cup) 
• Lemon Juice (1 Tbs) 
• Parsley (garnish) 

Start out by bringing 2 cups of water to a boil. Next place the couscous in a bowl that can be covered before adding 1 cup of the boiled water to the couscous and allowing to sit, covered for 5-7 minutes. Add the olive oil and lemon juice together next then add to the couscous to fluff. Add salt to taste (TT). 

Med Style Cuke Salad

Mediterranean Style Cucumber Salad

• Cucumber (1 each)
• Tomato (1-2 large) 
• Celery (3 stalks ) 
• Onion (1 each)
• Capers (2 Tbs) 
• Olive Oil (3 Tbs)
• Dijon Mustard (1 Tbs)
• Mayo (1/4 cup)
• Caper Juice (2 Tbs)
• Red Wine Vinegar (1/4 cup) 
• White Vinegar (1/8 cup) 
• Sugar (2 Tbs)
• Ginger (1 Tbs) 
• Salt & Pepper (TT) 
• Parsley (garnish) 

Start by cutting the cucumbers in fourths, dicing the tomatoes, Julienne-ing the onions and celery and placing in a salad bowl. Add the capers to the mixture before mixing the other ingredient together and dressing the vegetable mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste (TT).

Sweet & Spicy Chicken

Sweet & Spicy Chicken 

• Chicken Drumstick or Thighs (2 pp)
• Garlic (2 Tbs)
• Olive Oil (1/4 cup) 
• Shredded Carrots (1 cup) 
• Red Grapes (2 cups halved) 
• Sweet Onion (1 each) 
• Celery (3 stalks each) 
• Curry (1 Tbs) 
• Turmeric (2 Tbs) 
• Salt & Pepper (1 Tbs) 
• Chicken stock (1/4 cup) 

Start off by mincing the garlic and adding to the olive oil. Coat the chicken and add the carrots, julienned onions, julienned celery, halved grapes, curry, turmeric, salt and pepper.  Allow this to marinade the chicken for at least an hour. (see below)

Marinaded Chicken

Place in an oven preheated to 400 degrees for 30 minutes before cover and continuing for an additional 10 minutes. Place the oven on broil to allow the chicken to brown before service. Remove the chicken and place in a dish as seen below. Next add 1/4 cup of chicken stock to the pan with the vegetables and a bit more turmeric and curry. Add this mixture to the chicken before serving...

Straight out of the oven w/o veggie mixture. 

Finished Product