Foodie Mondays: Open Faced Creamed Chicken Sandwich

(I know it's Tuesday..... I'm running a bit late this week......)

Today's recipe review: Rachael Ray's Hot Open-Faced Creamed Chicken w/ Tarragon.

 This is a simple recipe where you take poached chicken breasts (and make your own stock in the process) then combine it with a creamy sauce and serve it on thick buttered toast.

It was super easy to make, but there were a few ingredients that I didn't have/don't like to use. In my grocery trip I couldn't find fresh tarragon, sage, or thyme. (Note to self: Never shop for produce at Wal-Mart) Also, I'm not a fan of wine in cooking. Not that I'm worried about the alcohol, but me and my husband just don't like the taste.
Here's the original recipe:

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 tablespoons butter, plus more softened for the toast
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup dry white wine
• 1 1/2 cups chicken stock, recipe follows
• Kosher salt and freshly ground white or black pepper
• 3/4 cup baby frozen peas
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• One 4-ounce jar chopped pimientos, drained
• 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
• 1 rounded tablespoon Dijon mustard
• Freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 1/3 to 1 1/2 pounds shredded Poached Chicken Breasts, recipe follows
• 4 slices (1 1/2 inches thick) good-quality white bread

POACHED CHICKEN BREASTS:

• 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken breast halves (or 3 full breasts)
• 4 cloves garlic, smashed
• 2 to 3 celery stalks, quartered
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 carrot, quartered

• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1 onion, quartered
• Herb bundle of fresh parsley, rosemary, sage and thyme tied with kitchen string
• Kosher salt
  

  Directions

  Heat the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, whisking, for 1 minute. Whisk in the wine and cook until slightly reduced, 1 minute. Whisk in the stock and simmer until thickened. Season with salt and pepper. Add the peas, heavy cream and pimientos and return to a low simmer. Add the tarragon, mustard and a few grates of nutmeg, then stir in the chicken.
  
  Toast the bread, then liberally butter and cut corner to corner. Ladle the creamed chicken over the toast points and serve.
  
  Cook's Note: The creamed chicken can be covered and refrigerated for a make-ahead meal. Reheat over medium heat, partially covered.
  Put the chicken in a medium stockpot. Add the garlic, celery, bay leaf, carrots, lemons, onions and herb bundle and sprinkle with salt. Add enough water to cover the chicken. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 45 minutes. Remove the chicken from the liquid and let cool. Strain the stock. Remove the skin and bones from the chicken, and shred the meat using your fingers or 2 forks.

   

  *******

   

  

  My Version

  Despite my restricted pantry, I managed to pull it off. I had to cut back on the salt because of my husband's high blood pressure. Instead of the pimentos I used a fresno pepper and instead of the cream I added plain greek yogurt. That yogurt added a wonderful creaminess and incredible tang to the sauce. We also bought a large loaf of sourdough for the bread.

  
  

  But the best part of all my daughter's ate it without complaint or procrastination. So this recipe is completely kid approved!! We definitely will be doing this again!

Bad Fiction Breakout!

I found this video via the wonderful Denyse Cohen. I had to share because I can only imagine this was happening behind the scenes of some of my early novel ideas.

How to Survive Life as a Character in a Bad Work of Fiction -- powered by Cracked.com

Ready for Sunday

Today I gave myself a challenge (something I do every now and then). I wanted to start sewing a dress for my daughter and finish it by 3pm. I started a little after 9 this morning.

Challenge met! Sooooo..... do I unlock any extra attributes for this? I sure could use at least 200 rupees or -10 insomnia.

A White/Pink Custom Kanzashi Order

Here's what I've been up to for the past couple of days. An admirer from Crafty Feast remembered my booth and her husband contacted me for a custom order. I'm certainly glad he did. I remember why I love working on hairsticks. They may be more time consuming than my hair pins or combs, but the end result is always worth every minute and spot of glue stuck to my fingers.

(I don't know why I love adding those little butterflies! ^_^)

Rebirth of a Blog

Hello everyone,

I need to let you know that this blog will be changing. Dramatically. I had initially conceived this blog to be a place where I would explore fantasy and the many faces of it. I still will be doing that. I promise. But with the lack of subjects to talk about on a regular basis, this blog has fallen by the wayside. Like all my other blogs.

You see, I had several blogs. You may or may not know this, but I'm a writer, an avid cook, an artist, and a seamstress, and a crafter. I had a separate blog for nearly all of these facets of my life. And it just wasn't working. I mean, I'm not just a writer, a cook, an artist, or a crafter. I'm all of these. And with a blog who's address is my full name why shouldn't I reflect that.

So after much thought and deliberation, this blog will no longer be just a blog about fantasy and writing, it will be a blog about me, but even more so, about creativity. And believe me, I have a lot to talk about on that subject!

Concerning Fairies, Part II

Alright! Let's get back into it!

In our last fairy installment we left off with Asia. Little did I realize that I’d left out a little magical spirit of Russia, the Bannik. Their favorite hangout is your family’s bathhouse. If you manage to spy them through the swirling steam, they may appear as a close family member. To show him respect you should always leave after the third firing so he can have his own bath.

Now that we’re all done with Asia, I think we’ll head down to Africa, starting with South Africa. They have the Abatwa. Curiously enough, they live with ants and only reveal themselves to wizards, children, and pregnant women. If a pregnant woman is lucky enough to see one in her seventh month, she’ll be guaranteed a boy.

In West Africa you can find in the forests of the Dahomey, the Aziza. These tiny, shy spirits are bringers of luck and stories say that they’ve taught humans much over the years.

I really wanted to include these next fairies from Europe because not all of Europe’s mythologies are equally represented in today’s fantasy. I’ve chosen three different breeds of fairy that I personally found interesting. The first comes from Spain and Catalán mythology. These are called Aloja and preside over human fate (much like the famous Greek fates). Their power also extends over childbirth.

For our second European example, I found an interesting Saxon fairy, the Altercroppe. It’s a malicious little thing whose name means “Little Poison Head.” Unlike many fairies that have a humanoid shape, these look like snakes with human arms and legs. Creepy!

Finally, I want to introduce a Slavic fairy called the Vila. They appear as nymphs in streams, lakes, fields, and forests. It’s believed that they’re the spirits of virgins and children. Each night they leave their graves to dance. People should be very wary of joining in their merriment. Once you join their dancing ring you’ll dance until your death! (I think villainous laughter should go here.)

Next time we have a little discussion about I think I’ll cover dragons. Or would you prefer something a little more obscure? *waggles eyebrow*

Concerning Fairies: Part One

Often, when people think of fairies their minds turn to the mythology of the British Isles (and often a generic version at that). But we can easily move past the fey and their courts. For this trip in world mythology and folklore, I think we’ll start in the Americas.

The Inuits of North America have the Ishigaq. They are a race of tiny people, only about a foot tall. When they walk across the now, they don’t leave a single footprint behind. In Bolivia is the story of the Acalica. These little fairies control the rain, frost, and hail. They are rarely seen as they live in deep, underground caves but when they are they appear as little old men.

Elsewhere in South America there are folktales featuring the Bakru. (I find these absolutely fascinating!) They’re made by wizards and look like little half wooden children. A person can actually purchase them by the pair, but it’s not worth it. They’re so troublesome that only a powerful wizard can control them.

Now in Asia, specifically Japan, the wee people are called the Chin Chin Kobakama. They’re playful, but harmless. In Malaysia they are the Bediardari, or “Good Folk.” Both of these are much like the fey of British lore.

Out in Melanesia are Bariaua. They live in ancient trees deep within the forest. If one day you find your canoe missing, the bariaua is probably to blame.

Persia has a very primordial version of fairy that predates Islamic and even Zoroastrian beliefs. They are they Peri, being of the forests and rivers. Like many magical races they can either be a help to humans or a hindrance.

I have many more fairies to talk about, but that will have to wait until tomorrow or else this post will be massive. We’ll finish up with Africa and even take a brief stop in Europe. Hope to see you there!