Yesterday I made my first real meal for my boyfriend and I. I have cooked for us before, but never an entire meal with more than two things. I made a vegetable medley in a garlic-olive oil sauce, steamed carrots, penne pasta with chicken, sweet potatoes and garlic bread. It was also SUPER easy. I didn't use a recipe just glanced at a few on The Food Network beforehand and then just went with my instincts, which I didn't know I had any for the kitchen!
I was presently surprised that my boyfriend thought my meal was very tasty. A bit garlic-y but I love garlic.
I'd love to share how I made everything for you in a video, but I don't have an adequate camcorder to do so now. Instead for now I am just going to write out the ingredients I used and the process I went through.
Veggie Medley:
-spinach (I didn't use enough spinach, but use as much as you would prefer)
-2 orange bell peppers (You can obviously use a different color pepper or a completely different vegetable)
-2 redTomatoes
-2 turns of the pan of olive oil
-2 cloves of garlic minced
Directions: Gather all ingredients and a midsize pan, no bigger than a dinner plate. Mince the garlic with either a garlic press (much faster! major time saver) or by hand, pieces have to be VERY small. Put the stove on medium-low heat and pour two turns of olive oil along the diameter of the pan and add garlic. Cut the stems off the spinach (optional), dice the tomatoes and peppers. Once the garlic has been in the pan with the olive oil long enough to tenderize a bit, but not until it is brown place the rest of the vegetables in the pan. The spinach will wilt before the rest of the veggies are cooked but won't overcook while the other veggies are finishing.
Carrots:
Peel and cut into uniform slices as many carrots (not baby carrots) as desired. Place carrots into a steamer (my rice cooker doubles as a steamer, many pasta pots do as well) and cook until tender.
Once finished place carrots into a pan with a tablespoon (optional) of butter and tablespoon of honey. These carrots are delicious, but don't get all excited that you're eating veggies because these are rather sugary.
The Chicken:
So I cook chicken on a George Foreman Grill which is honestly the easiest, most hassle free, and tasty way to each chicken! I have never had chicken that was juicier or tastier than on my foreman grill. I am not joking. I like it better than I like chicken from restaurants. I am SUPER picky about my food and especially meat.
I use frozen chicken breasts from either Kings Soopers or Costco depending on if I went to Costco that month or not. For time's sake I would definitely suggest chicken breasts that are in a bag. I know all the ice surrounding the breasts makes you think it isn't good but honestly when you defrost chicken with lots of ice crystals around it makes the chicken juicier after you cook it.
I defrost the chicken in the microwave on the defrost setting for however much I think the chicken ways. I never know for sure so I always check intermittently throughout the process and turn the breast over as they will thaw unevenly.
You have to make sure the chicken is at least 95% defrosted otherwise the outside of the chicken will burn while the inside is still cooking.
Chicken breasts cook perfectly on the Foreman grill for about 5-6 minutes depending on the thickness of the pieces at 350.
I was DEFINITELY NOT handy in the kitchen nor had I ever cooked chicken before in my life until I moved out. All I had done was made pancakes and mac'n cheese! That's how easy the Foreman grill is!!! SOOO EASY. SOOO WORTH IT and SOOOOO nice. It is so hard to burn something on the Foreman grill unless you don't check on you food!
Anywho now that this has turned into Foreman Grill free advertising...
Pasta: I think everyone knows how to cook pasta? I don't do anything special when I cook pasta.
Once everything is cooked put some pasta on a plate then add chicken veggies, and pasta sauce if desired.
YOU'RE DONE! This was such an easy dinner and honestly I do not consider myself especially skilled in the culinary department. Until next time.
xox
Arae
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