Tag Archives: bake

Store Bought Savior

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This is for the people like my sister that never really want to cook food and are 100% ok with just “preparing food”. Luckily, this quick and yummy week night fix requires no actual cooking. Simply assemble and bake. I got the idea from an appetizer at one of my favorite fusion Indian spots. Hope you guys dig it as much as I do. It’s ridiculous easy and tasty, what’s not to love about Naan Pizza.

  • Store bought naan (I buy the Trader Joe’s garlic naan, but plain or onion naan works)
  • Store bought tikka masala curry (Again the TJ stuff is great)
  • Spinach salad packet (I mean ‘cuz your not actually gunna make salad out of it, are you?)
  • Fresh mozzarella (Any cheese would work really)
  • Rotisserie chicken (or if you wanna make it veggie friendly try eggplant slices or mushrooms)

Smear a tablespoon or two (depends on how saucy you want your “pizza” to be, I do 2 myself) on to the slice of naan then take a fistful of spinach and layer on with the cheese and shredded chicken. Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees or until the cheese melts and everything is warmed through. You can cut up and serve as an appetizer or have it as dinner with wine at about a naan piece per person. Package has four naan pieces usually and that’s generally enough for the chicken, spinach, curry, and cheese to cover.

Happy Eating, XO.

Squash It

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I have a fellow foodie that is just my spirit animal when it comes to trying new dishes and eating out together. Not only is she just as adventurous as me, but she is a phenomenal cook. One day when we were discussing different recipes we both came to the conclusion that we are obsessed with autumn vegetables and summer fruits. Those are the best seasons for the respective produce and you should go crazy making dishes that incorporate those seasonal ingredients. Now I know I am a long shot away from Fall, but with the recent flurries we experienced in the Philadelphia area, it sure feels more like autumn than spring. Check out this lovely butternut squash (one of the shining stars of the Fall veggie scene) recipe, it even re-uses the maple syrup you bought for this chicken recipe and the squash from the Fall Stew. Plus, eating it should help me “squash” my feelings of missing Fall. Oh what a wordsmith I can be.

  • 1 package of the pre-peeled and cubed butternut squash from Trader Joes (I am obsessed with TJ and lazy, perfect combo).
  • 1 tbsp. of olive oil
  • 1 tbsp. of the maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. of cayenne (although I did equal parts of cinnamon & cayenne, since I like the heat)
  • 1 tsp. of course sea salt
  • Optional: 2 tbsp. low fat sour cream & 1 tsp. chopped fresh chives.

Set the oven at 400 degrees and toss the ingredients with the squash. Spread out on baking sheet and cook for 20-30 minutes. I do the fork test and prick the larger piece to check for done-ness. If it slides out and the squash is soft, you can shut off the oven & let it cool. I also serve this with a dollop of cold low fat sour cream which I sprinkle with chopped chives. I adore the yummy mild onion flavor it adds to the dish. Plus any potato chip lover knows that sour cream can’t breath without onion/chives.

Happy Eating, XO.

Are you too chicken?

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This is an adapted version of the Fig Pear Champagne Mustard Chicken recipe. It’s not that I am afraid to try anything new, its because its one of my favorites. So why not try and recreate it to a more practical, week night version? I don’t know about you guys, but I don’t have the time to roast a whole chicken. Especially after work & when I don’t have others to feed. Anyway, this recipe is easier, quicker, and has the elements of the same flavor profile. For example, instead of fig butter, this recipe requires maple syrup for the sweet smooth flavor. Then, the champagne vinegarette is substituted with the rice wine vinegar. Now, I am not telling you all this to say we aren’t creative with our recipes. It is to show you, as the reader, that many times if you are stuck on what to make or if you are too chicken to try something other than your regular “go to meals”, you don’t always have to come to damndelish.com for help. You can make up your own new recipe or favorite dish, when you identify the flavor profile of what you like and emulate them with various ingredients. Don’t be afraid to try something new. I know you aren’t too chicken, even if this dish is. Now go give your taste buds a good time, with this 5 ingredient little wonder.

  • 1 package of skinless chicken breast (thighs would work too)
  • ½ c. Dijon mustard
  • ¼ c. Maple syrup (actual maple, no aunt jemimas)
  • 1 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
  • Fresh rosemary
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat your oven to 450ºF. Then, mix together 1/2 cup of Dijon mustard, 1/4 cup of maple syrup, and 1 tablespoon of rice/rice wine vinegar. Put the package of chicken breasts into a foil-lined, oven-proof baking dish. (Six chicken breast came in my package, which made enough to serve 3 people.) Then, salt and pepper the breasts . Pour your maple mustard mixture over them, turning the breasts in the mixture so they are fully coated. Put the chicken into the oven, and let them bake for 40 minutes. Baste the tops of the chicken with more sauce half way through. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Plate the chicken, making sure to spoon some extra sauce over the top. Sprinkle over some fresh rosemary. (If there is ever a time to use fresh herbs now is undoubtedly it!)

IMG_4058

Happy Eating, XO.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

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I mean this honestly, this dinner is a real winner. It’s super simple, tasty, and gives you leftovers. It also gives you an excuse to use up all of that chicken that’s been sitting in your freezer. (Does anyone else always seem to have chicken in their freezer or is that just me?) It takes a little while to cook (45 minutes – an hour), but it’s worth the wait for this yummy, hearty dinner.

  • 3-4 boneless chicken breasts
  • 4 tomatoes, cubed
  • 1 large can of artichoke hearts
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 cup mozzarella

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and place the chicken in an oven safe dish. Mix the tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and salt and pepper together and pour over the chicken. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes to an hour. A few minutes before it’s done, sprinkle with mozzarella and let it melt. If you have it, you can also sprinkle chopped basil to give it a fancier presentation.

Chicken bake

Happy Eating, XO.