Chicken with a Twist

Everyday we eat the same foods over and over again. Food becomes a comfort, whether it in a bowl of cereal in the morning or a chicken pot pie at night watching a good movie. The foods we love are naturally eaten more often. What foods are out there that we haven't tried yet? What delectable taste is around the corner, close but hidden in another culture. A food that your specific palate would love is not going to come looking for you. You must look for it! Seek out new tastes from other cultures! I cannot express in words how my tongue felt when I first tasted mango, or maracujá, or pinha (peen-ya) from Brazil! Simply amazing indescribable tastes! I hope that I inspire you to create a dish that you have never tried.

I was just talking to Anastasia,  a friend of mine who also cooks, about variations to ingredients that recipes call for. Like substituting half the butter in brownies for black beans. You get less fat, more protein, and the taste will keep them coming back for more.
 I forgot to buy chicken broth, and my friend Anastasia suggested that I use beer instead. It's good to have good friends with good ideas around!  The alcohol boils off, and you are left with a delicious flavor, especially when adding foods that absorb flavor well, like mushrooms or onions. I tried this (when visiting her) and it turned out great. No, beer, chicken, basil, provolone, and prosciutto are very simple foods. Put them together and it is amazing how the flavors and textures reward your tongue in ways unforeseen!

The stuffed chicken recipe below is a great example of substituting for either taste, calories, or you are in the middle of cooking and don't feel like dropping everything just to run to the store again.

PHOTOGRAPH BY Romulo Yanes (Photo reprinted with permission)

http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/prosciutto-stuffed-chicken-with-mushroom-sauce

I substituted lager beer for the chicken stock! It came out just fine. Once the alcohol evaporates, you are left with a hoppy broth, that does well on the stove! (IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO USE THE ALCOHOL OPTION, THE CHICKEN STOCK IS PERFECTLY FINE!) I added some wild rice and steamed some broccoli, and it was a very nice combo!

photo:Erich Coleman