May 17, 2006
Recipes Mania News May 2006
Hi Recipes Maniacs,
again we have had a delay in mailing this email and again I apologize. I have been very busy with the launch of an off line business venture and this has created a major claim on my available time. Hopefully time will be more available after I have the new venture more self-supporting; it isn't right now but we are working towards that goal.
Welcome to all of our new subscribers since the last ezine and there are quite a number of you receiving this ezine as your first. I am amazed at how many subscribers we now have from the sub-continent and I hope you will all excuse my poor knowledge of Indian cuisine. It is one of my favorites when it comes to eating out, but my many attempts to replicate it have been abject failures. Hence I feel it better that I don't try to feature it on the site. Hopefully you have joined out of an interest of other cuisines.
Enjoy the ezine and if each of you are able to take just one thing from this issue that helps make your life a little better then it is all worthwhile.
Diabetes is spreading rapidly and has now reached the stage in the developed world where 1 in 7 people are going to be affected by it. The people most at risk are people with a weight problem or who suffer from high blood pressure. A sensible, healthy diet from a young age and continued through life is the greatest deterrent. So please try to be aware of what you eat and especially the size of the portion that you serve.
Because quick recipes have been so popular whenever I feature them in the ezine this month we will continue with a twenty minute dish of Asian Apricot Chicken. It takes just 10 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook. It is reasonably healthy at only 7.5 grams of fat per serving and great for weight watchers because each serving contains just 380 calories. But this site is all about enjoying food and this dish is so tasty too.
Recipe of the Month
Recipe of the month:
Asian Apricot Chicken.
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless, chicken breast halves.
1 lb (450 grams) can of apricot halves, drained and liquid reserved.
2 Tablespoons soy sauce or tamari.
1 Tablespoon sesame oil.
1/4 cup sherry. (That is a quarter of a cup not 1 to 4 cups :))
3/4 cup all purpose (self-raising) flour.
1 teaspoon paprika.
1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
6 scallions (spring-onions) chopped into half inch (12mm) pieces.
1 teaspoon sesame seeds.
3 Tablespoons fresh cilantro (coriander)
Method:
Place chicken between two pieces of wax paper and pound lightly to flatten to 1/2 inch (12mm) flatness.
Combine reserved apricot syrup with soy sauce, 1/8 teaspoon of oil and sherry in a bowl.
Combine flour with paprika, cayenne pepper and add salt and pepper to taste in a shallow dish.
Heat two Tablespoons of oil in a heavy pan over medium to high heat.
Dredge chicken in flour (both sides), shake off excess flour.
Saute scallions (spring onions) in the pan for 2-3 minutes until lightly broned. Remove from the pan.
Place chicken pieces in the pan and sear both sides rapidly. Turn down heat to medium low and add the apricots and cooked scallions. Drizzle with sherry mixture. Cover pan and simmer for 5 minutes turning the chicken once.
Serve with the remaining sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds and cilantro (coriander).
The entire preparation and cooking time is just 20 minutes, the taste is delicious and it's healthy too.
Serve with a healthy salad.
Bon appetit.
Click here for more chicken recipes.
The Human Spirit
Whilst surfing the net recently in search of ideas for this ezine I came across a list of 17 examples of human spirituality. The list has nothing to do with food or cooking, but this ezine has never set out to be a vehicle just for food and cooking. In life we all have to inter-relate all of our skills in the hope that we can make this planet a better place for each of us.
Therefore a list of things that help make us all better people has a place in this publication. It is not a religious list, it is simply a few thoughts for you to accept or reject - either some or all. The choice is always with the individual:
Helping someone in their time of tragedy or need shows the capacity for human goodness.
Listening closely to another's words and experience shows the capacity for soulful communication.
Understanding the pain, sorrow, or loss of another person shows the capacity for empathy. Believing the best about others, and offering time, support, and friendship shows the capacity for trust.
Apologizing for a past mistake shows the capacity for strong character and trustworthiness.
Forgiving the errors of a fellow human being shows the capacity to receive forgiveness. Supporting the truth, even when it is unpopular, shows the capacity for honesty and integrity. Compromising when it is best for the welfare of others shows the capacity for teamwork.
Giving time and effort to assist others to be successful shows the capacity for sincerity. Being curious about life, its people and its mysteries, shows the capacity for learning. Praying for the welfare of family, friends, and all of humanity shows the capacity for love. Waiting for God's answer to a prayer shows the capacity for faith and patience. Accepting the answer to a prayer, whatever it might be, discovering its blessings, and then moving on shows the capacity for gratitude. Believing in a God-given purpose throughout long and difficult seasons of scarcity shows the capacity for determination and hope. Taking risks, making mistakes, and learning from all experiences show the capacity for being human. Getting up after having fallen down or suffered failure shows the capacity for resolve. Persisting resolutely to navigate life's rapids, scale its mountains, move beyond its perceived limitations, and arrive at its finish line with faith and dignity shows the capacity for achievement.
After I first read this list I realized that I wasn't half as smart as I thought I was and that leading a fulfilling life is about doing simple things with the benefit of others in mind.
If only one helps you then the list is worthwhile.