dirty rice bowls

Let's talk comfort food.  Hearty, southern, one-pot meal kinda comfort food. 

We're just settling into that long stretch between January and spring where everything seems to get all out of sorts. In January, everyone is ready for a fresh start, but February brings the evitable crash of our hopes and ambitions.

For the for one thing, the weather is a mess here in the Southeast. One day is bright and cheery with a high of 62, the next is drizzly and 32. Back and forth, up and down. Not helping things... People seem to be a bit of a mess too... moving, job changes, impending weddings, the flu, mid-semester blues... anything and everything stress.

I'm right there with them.  One fine January day, I was up at the crack of dawn and tackling my to-dos, the next thing I know I'm waking up at 7:30 with only have fifteen minutes to toss my hair into a ponytail and rush out the door.  Those "off" days (or weeks... or months), fraught with disaster, matted hair, and grim skies, can be brightened with a little bit of Louisiana cooking.    

Black-eyed peas, olive oil, and diced onions transform sleek, plain grains of basmati rice like a touch of sun livens up pale cheeks.  Warm chicken coated in Old Bay seasoning and baked quickly lends both flavor and heartiness to these saucy bowls of rice. The best part... This meal only takes 30 minutes to throw together. It's quick, nourishing, and simple... just the thing for an achy day.

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Orange Ginger Chicken

One of the biggest challenges of working is creating healthy, fast weeknight meals. Sometimes, it's just easier to order take-out or pick something up on the way home. Even freezer meals start to look appealing after a long day.  However, this spunky meal defies exhaustion.  With simple ingredients and quick prep, orange ginger chicken is one of my go-to meals.  A few nights a month, I'll whip this up after work and Jason and i never seem to grow weary of it.

Soy sauce, grated ginger, orange marmalade, and honey blend to create a light, zesty marinade. The seared chicken is tender and packed with flavor.  Steamed broccoli, snow peas, and peppers add the finishing touch. 

If you are gluten-free, be sure to use La Choy Soy Sauce or San-J Organic Tamari Soy Sauce.  I like La Choy cause it is cheap and tastes a little on the salty side... Plus, it's fun to say, La CHOY. But, I think the San-J is better for you. :)

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simple chicken salad

Confession: I'm just not a big fan of salads, mostly because I feel so empty after I eat one.  Substituting a sparse salad for a full meal is such a waste... like watching a painfully cheesy 3-hour movie or mooning over a guy whose clearly terrified of anything long term. All fluff, no substance.  Whenever I do go the salad route, I end up coughing up $8 at a deli just to jump back in line for dessert or coffee to finish the job.  Doesn't end well. This little number on the other hand is light, but filling.  No lingering cravings. No need to dig up an afternoon snack to stave off hunger pangs. Fresh marries full. 

It's also relatively simple dish. Hand tearing the greens prevents leftovers from browning and always scatters a faint earthy smell throughout my tiny kitchen. The crunchy sunflower seeds give the salad a bit of texture and extra protein. Finally, the berries lend a sweet twang to the chicken. In spite of it's heartiness, this salad is able to retain its delicacy.    

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