Breakfast in October

Cook bacon in an iron skillet until it is crisp. I used almost a whole pound. Why not? Set aside when done and sauté onion and green pepper .... yes, in the bacon grease. When your veggies are translucent spoon them out and put them in a baking dish - about 9x9 inches. Crumble the bacon on top. Layer with shredded cheddar cheese. In a bowl mix together 1/2 cup of buttermilk baking mix (although next time I am trying 3/4 of a cup) and 6 eggs. Pour over your ingredients that are in your baking dish.
Bake @ 400 for about 30 minutes, or until your fork comes out clean from the center. I cooked it the night before and had a bit for dinner. It was actually better the next morning as it seemed to firm up.

Going to a Bring a Dish

Are you going to a bring a dish, but you are afraid to take a serving spoon because it will get lost? Label it by sticking one of your return mailing stickers on it. Cover it for extra protection with clear tape. 

Bacon Chicken

Everything is better with bacon, right?
Cook 4 strips of bacon until crisp. Again, use an iron skillet. Take the bacon out and set it aside. You really only need 2 or 3 pieces of the bacon, but I figured you'd want to munch on at least one. Dredge chicken pieces in flour, salt and pepper. I use cut breast pieces; no skin. When you have browned the chicken pieces, set them aside with your bacon. 
Back to the pan: sauté shallots, garlic and mushrooms. Add thyme when the veggies are done. Add cooking wine and beef stock to the pan. Return chicken to the pan and crumble the bacon in. (providing you haven't actually eaten it all)
Cook until the chicken is done. You may also want to thicken this broth before you serve it.

Thank You Chicken

Dredge cut chicken pieces (breast) in flour with salt and pepper. Brown in olive oil; you are using an iron skillet, right?? Take the chicken out and set it aside.
Saute: shallots, green and red pepper strips, mushrooms, garlic. When the vegetables start to change consistency add artichoke hearts, squeeze half a lemon in, and chicken broth. Return the chicken to the pot and simmer until the chicken is done. You will probably want to thicken the sauce before you eat it. I take some of the broth out, let it cool, and then add corn starch for my thickener.

Green Curry Chicken

Blend in the food processor: cilantro, red onion, mint, garlic, 1/2 cup of white cooking wine, ginger, 2 tsps cumin, 1/2 tsp garam masala, 1/2 tsp turmeric, salt and pepper. Cook onion or shallots with olive oil in an iron skillet. Brown the chicken in the same skillet. Add the mixture from the food processor to the skillet. Add more cooking wine if it starts to dry out as you will now be simmering it until the chicken is done. When the chicken is done add about 1/4 cup of plain yogurt.
If you don't want to use cooking with use more chicken broth.

Beef Vindaloo

Cook onion and garlic in olive oil. Then add: grated ginger, 1 tsp cumin, 1 and 1/2 tsp coriander powder, 1 tsp turmeric, chili powder, black pepper, green chili peppers, salt and a cup of broth. Cook until the beef is tender. Maybe about 45 minutes to an hour. Serve with white rice to offset the heat of this dish.

Lemon Rice Indian Style

Got your glass of wine? Got your music going?

Have you watched Today's Special?
Cook one cup of rice. I always put a bit of olive oil in the rice I am cooking.
In a small skittle add olive oil and spices. I do this to make a paste. Be careful not to overdo the spices, this will make your rice taste somewhat grainy. Plus, these spices carry a big punch. 
Spices to add: red chili powder or achar masala (how much depends on how much heat you want to your rice), curry (1/8th to 1/4 tsp - I'm still playing with this amount myself - just don't overdo), a pinch of turmeric, maybe a titch of garam masala.
Add this to the rice with the juice of 1/2 to a full lemon.
You can also add peanuts or roasted and salted pumpkin seeds. I just happened to have those left over from the last dish!