Saturday, September 03, 2005

Tropical Pineapple Chicken

Pineapple, banana and a splash of lime juice flavor this light and fruity chicken dish, but onions, bell pepper and garlic counteract the sweetness for a delightful contrast of tones and textures. This is a wonderful summer dish to eat on the patio!

8 oz wide egg noodles
3/4 lb fresh boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thickly sliced
1 yellow onion, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup sliced green onion
1/2 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced
2 clove garlic, crushed
1/2 banana, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 (8-oz.) can pineapple chunks, undrained
1 tsp lime juice
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground black pepper

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and keep warm.
  2. Meanwhile, spray a deep, nonstick skillet with vegetable cooking spray. Heat skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook evenly until golden brown, 2 to 4 minutes.
  3. Add onion, green onion, bell pepper and garlic. Sauté until bell pepper is crisp-tender, stirring frequently. Stir in banana, broth, pineapple with juice and lime juice. Reduce heat to low.
  4. Just before serving stir in pasta and toss to mix. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.


    Servings: 4
    Preparation time: 15 minutes
    Cooking time: 15 minutes

Monday, August 29, 2005

Crab Dip

8 oz pkg cream cheese
1 dash tabasco sauce
1 stick butter
2 tsp minced garlic or 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 lb white crabmeat
1/4 tsp white pepper
1 small onion, finely chopped

  1. Melt the cream cheese and butter. Add the crabmeat and seasonings.
  2. Serve in a chafing dish to keep warm. Good with dip-size corn chips, in pastry shells, or crackers.

Servings: 6

Sunday, August 28, 2005

Jersey's Best, sweet peach crop

This summer, I have been having some exceptional peaches, juicy and sweet. The taste reminded me of those times when the fruit ripened in the tree. I have just learned that New Jersey is the fourth peach producer, after California, South Carolina and Georgia. I wouldn't have though it possible. New Jersey's peach season typically starts in late July and runs until mid- September. This year the crop has been exceptional due to the hot summer on the East Coast. Most of the New Jersey peaches arrive to the market within 24 hours of being picked from the tree.