January 23, 2014 - La Chef-tress!

So, the thing about being home and trying to recuperate from a bad bout of bronchitis is to find something to occupy your time. Can't do much of anything. Lots of sleep. But when I was awake for short periods of time, I became a TV cooking show addict. Love watching how people are given ingredients and how they turn them into something I would never think of doing. Day 4 - today - I think I'm on the road to being a chef. Hah! I grew up learning to cook under the tutalage of my dear Mother - who never used a recipe for anything; except for baking sometimes. She was an incredibly excellent cook and, living on the farm, was always using fresh produce, etc. To this day, I don't use recipes; well, except for baking! There is an odd time that I do follow a recipe. Something I need to start doing more, I think. Or not! Anyway, today was not the day to start using recipes. I created this chicken stirfry for my supper, with ample left-over for Gavin for a snack later (at midnight, when he gets home from work) and to have for his work meal tomorrow. Two chicken breasts sliced into thin pieces, slightly browned in hot pan with T. butter, pinch of salt (I learned on the cooking shows that you should use this "key" ingredient - that's what - according to the shows - makes a great chef) {note, I never cook with salt, except for perogies} ... back to my recipe ... 1/2 tsp. crushed peppercorn, 1/4-1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper. Once browned, add in two julienned onion greens (white included), half a celergy stalk (I like taking the centre piece with the leaves), 1 carrot julienned, and one medium orange beet sliced thin; and 1/8 c. water. Toss and stir occasionally for about 5 minutes and remove from heat. The carrots and beets will still be nicely crunchy! Separately, and not photographed here, I made some mushrooms for myself with garlic. I would have loved to put garlic in the chicken toss, but hubby does not like garlic. So, to appease myself, garlic in the mushrooms ... which he also does not like! Selfish on my part, but mixed in well on my plate with the chicken mix!