Black Pepper-Curry Chicken Sauté

Celebrate National Curried Chicken Day.

Black Pepper-Curry Chicken Sauté

Carolyn Williams, PhD, RD

Black pepper adds a subtle spiciness and enhances your body's absorption of turmeric in the curry. For the boldest flavor, use 1 teaspoon peppercorns. Serve with roasted cauliflower or broccoli for an extra boost.

Serves 4 (serving size: 

1/2 cup rice and 3/4 cup chicken mixture)

Ingredients

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-in. pieces
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon canola oil, divided
1 1/2 cups vertically sliced onion
2 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 cup canned light coconut milk
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1/2 to 1 tsp. peppercorns, crushed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or basil
2 cups hot cooked brown rice

Directions
1. Sprinkle chicken with 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper. Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high.

2. Add chicken to pan; cook, stirring frequently, for 5 to 6 minutes or until chicken is lightly browned and almost cooked through. Remove chicken from pan.

3. Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add onion; cook for 4 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Add ginger and garlic; cook until softened, about 1 minute. Add curry powder; cook for 15 to 30 seconds or until fragrant, stirring constantly.

4. Stir in coconut milk, lime juice, and crushed peppercorns. Return chicken to pan. Cover, and cook over medium-low until sauce is slightly thickened and chicken is done about 5 minutes.

5. Remove from heat; stir in cilantro or basil. Serve over rice.

August 13, National Filet Mignon Day - Nutrition Profile, Recipes and Food Safety

Filet mignon is a steak cut of beef taken from the smaller end of the tenderloin. In French, this cut can also be called filet de bœuf, which translates in English to beef fillet. When found on a menu in France, filet mignon generally refers to pork rather than beef.

Some butchers in the United States label all types of tenderloin steaks "filet mignon." In fact, the shape of the true filet mignon may be a deterrent when cooking, so most restaurants sell steaks from the wider end of the tenderloin - it is less expensive and much more presentable.

The tenderloin is the most tender cut of beef and is also the most desirable and therefore the most expensive. The average steer or heifer provides no more than 500 grams of filet mignon. Because the muscle is not weight-bearing, it contains less connective tissue, which makes it tender. However, it is generally not as flavorful as some other cuts of beef and is often wrapped in bacon to enhance flavor, and/or is served with a sauce.

Preparation

Filet mignon may be cut into 1- to 2-inch-thick portions, then grilled and served as-is. One also may find filet mignon in stores already cut into portions and wrapped with bacon. High heat is the usual method for cooking the filet mignon, either grilling, pan frying, broiling, or roasting. Traditionally in European and American restaurants, fillets are most often served in a cognac cream sauce, au poivre with peppercorns, or in a red wine reduction.

Bacon is often used in cooking filet mignon because of the low levels of fat found in the cut, as fillets have low levels of marbling, or intramuscular fat. Bacon is wrapped around the fillet and pinned closed with a wooden toothpick. This adds flavor and keeps the fillet from drying out during the cooking process.

Traditional cooking calls for the filet mignon to be seared on each side using intense heat for a short time and then transferred to a lower heat to cook the meat all the way through. Filet mignon is often served rarer than other meats. Those preferring a more well-done steak can request a "butterflied" filet, meaning that the meat is cut down the middle and opened up to expose more of it to heat during the cooking process. Cook to an internal temperature of at least 145° F.

Nutrition Information

References

1. Wikipedia, Filet Mignon
2. Food Network, Filet Mignon Recipes
3. About.com, What is a filet mignon?
4. Consumer Reports, 6 food safety tips for your summer cookout

5. Exploring the World of Healthy Cooking, Our Mobb

  

January 4, Trivia Day Test Your Nutrient Analysis Skills

Answers below.

Many people believe if they just buy a nutrient analysis program, they can provide an accurate nutrition analysis. This is far from the truth.

Recipes are usually written based on what the consumer needs to purchase. The individual analyzing the recipe must evaluate the recipe based on the actual food ready to eat (unless the food is meant to be eaten whole.)

A nutrient analysis program cannot cook or prepare meals. A person must have skills in Food Science, Culinary Nutrition, Cooking and Preparation Techniques, Purchasing Guides, Yield Factors, and Nutrient Analysis Software.

An essential tool for analysis is food conversion and equivalent tables. These databases provide information on AP (as purchased), EP (edible portion), waste, marinating, straining, percentage of bones, the difference between raw or cooked weight, and comparison of weight versus volume measures. Many nutrient analysis software programs do not provide this information for all items; therefore it must be calculated manually or estimated. 

Most Americans believe one cup is equal to eight ounces, and they would be right if we were referring to a liquid. In selecting the correct measure of food, it is critical to know whether the food is measured by weight or by volume. Weight measures include grams, ounces, and pounds. Volume measures are listed as teaspoons, tablespoons, fluid ounces, cups, pints, quarts, and gallons. 

Trivia Answers.

1a.  2.75 cups EP
1b.  3-4 medium apples or 113 grams

2.    4 cups all-purpose flour

3.    6.5 cups cooked kidney beans 

4.    5 oz lobster meat

5.    4 cups shredded cheddar cheese

If you are looking for a registered dietitian knowledgeable in the science of nutrient calculations and analysis, contact: Dr. Sandra Frank at recipenews@gmail.com for a quote. 

Over 25 years of experience providing nutrient analysis for the media, publishers, and chefs including the Tribune, Bon Appétit, Atlanta Constitution, Detroit Free Press, and Fort Worth Star. Author of "Menu Solutions."

Curriculum Vitae

Pumpkin Spice Hummus, The Complete Hummus Cookbook

The Pumpkin Spice Hummus (featured below) welcomes the holiday with the aroma and flavors of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. This is just one of the recipes found in the “The Complete Hummus Cookbook,” by author Catherine Gill.

https://amzn.to/2D3zZdb

The Complete Hummus Cookbook is a guide to the many ways you can prepare hummus. The Complete Hummus Cookbook provides information on the perfect food to pair hummus with as well as how to make different kinds of hummus with chickpeas, black beans, lentils, edamame, and green peas. 

With over 100 recipes for everything from appetizers to meals, to side dishes and desserts, the cookbook will have everyone enjoying the delicious, nutritious, and very versatile ways of presenting hummus.

Pumpkin Spice Hummus

Serves 8

Ingredients

½ cup canned pumpkin puree

½ cup canned chickpeas, drained or equivalent cooked chickpeas

2 tablespoons tahini

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

⅛ cup lemon juice or juice from half large lemon

2 tablespoons olive oil

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg

⅛ teaspoon ground ginger

⅛ teaspoon ground clove

¼ teaspoon sea salt

1-2 tablespoons water

Directions

1. Using a food processor, blend all ingredients until the desired consistency is reached and hummus is well-combined. 
2. Add more water to make hummus less thick or more salt to taste, if desired.

Tip: This hummus looks lovely with a little sprinkle of cinnamon on top and few pepitas (raw pumpkin seeds) on top as a garnish.

About the Author.
Catherine Gill is a writer, blogger, and holistic vegan chef who specializes in natural and health foods. She studied and found her passion in writing, literature, and social science in college. She runs the popular blog The DirtyVegan since 2010, focusing on comfort-food-style vegan recipes that are fun, accessible, and healthy. She also ran Dirty Vegan Foods, a vegan bakery specializing in veganized versions of classic desserts. She has an active social media presence on Twitter (@TheDirtyVegan) and on Instagram (@thedirtyvegan_official). She is also the author of The Dirty Vegan Cookbook.

Meatless Monday: Butternut Squash Risotto with Tabouli Salad