Quick and Painless Chicken Stir-fry

The Year of the Dragon is upon us. And when I'm hungry I've been known to be a little "dragon-ish" myself. When you're in a hurry for a quick meal, this is the answer. You could even make a batch of rice a day or two ahead and microwave to heat it up when your ready for this dish. Chop all the veggies and chicken prior to heating up the wok or skillet.

When I first read this recipe in our local newspaper I thought the cucumber was an odd addition. Turns out the cucumber does add a cleansing note to the dish and is delicious.

I added a few additions to this recipe and it literally took me 10 minutes to make it once the chicken hit the pan.

Adapted from here: .http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/lifestyles/fooddrink/s_778140.html

Ingredients: Serves 2-4

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite size chunks
1 carrot- peeled and sliced thin
4 scallions- white parts cut into one inch pieces( reserve green part for garnish)
1 c. sliced mushrooms
1 medium cucumber- peeled, sliced in half lengthwise,  seeds removed with a spoon, then cut into 1 in. chunks.
2 T. cornstarch
2 T vegetable or Canola oil

Marinade:
3 t. sugar (you could also use agave or honey)
1/4 c. sherry
2 cloves minced garlic
1 t. ground ginger
1 T. Hoisin sauce
1 T. water
( I added pinch of red pepper flakes and 1 t. Chinese five spice powder to marinade)

Mix sugar, sherry, ginger and garlic in a bowl and add chicken. Marinate for 10 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate with a slotted spoon and sprinkle with cornstarch and toss. Reserve marinade.
Add hoisin sauce and water to marinade, and pepper flakes and five spice if you have it.

Heat up oil in a skillet or wok over high heat then add chicken. Stir rapidly for 3 minutes. Add carrot, cucumber, mushrooms, scallions and continue to stir 2-3 minutes.
Pour the marinade over stir-fry and cook for 2 minutes. Serve over rice and garnish with remaining sliced green tops of scallions.

Creamy Chicken Marsala

I got my wish.

I was craving Chicken Marsala (with a side of pasta) and found this recipe in Taste of Home magazine. Although their recipe includes Gorgonzola cheese, I omitted that step because I was afraid the pungent cheese would interrupt or, take over, the flavors of the marsala and mushrooms.

There are so many places for gorgonzola, just not here.

This recipe is a creamier version, with a lighter colored sauce. I had to make several adjustments to the recipe and was extremely thrilled with the result.

Here's my version, adapted from this recipe: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Chicken-Marsala-with-Gorgonzola

                                      "Come to Mamaaa..... "

Ingredients- Serves 4

3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
All purpose flour for dredging
2- 8 oz. pkgs of mushrooms sliced (button or baby portabella-I used button)
3 T. butter, divided
2 garlic cloves-minced
1 c. Marsala wine
1/3 c. heavy whipping cream
2 T minced fresh parsley, divided
Salt and pepper to taste

Cut chicken breasts into thirds, season with salt and pepper and pound individual pieces with meat mallet (evenly) until 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness. Dredge pieces of chicken in flour and tap off extra flour.
Heat in a large skillet 2 T. of the butter (I added a drizzle of EVOO as well) and saute chicken over medium heat until lightly golden brown. Repeat the saute with remaining chicken and transfer to a plate to rest.
Once chicken is completed and resting on a plate add remaining 1 T. butter to same skillet and saute mushrooms until tender and juices have released. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Add marsala wine and bring to a gentle boil and cook until liquid is reduced by half. This took me a good 10-12 minutes.
Once liquid is reduced by half, add the cream and return to a gentle boil for 5 minutes, the sauce will start to thicken up a bit.
Return the chicken medallions to the skillet and simmer for 5 minutes.
Taste the sauce, does it need a touch of salt or pepper?
Add 1 T. chopped parsley to sauce and stir. Garnish dish with remaining 1 T. parsley and enjoy!

Note: I HAVE to have pasta with this dish. One suggestion is angel hair with a simple, chunky tomato sauce. I saute 3-4 minced garlic cloves in EVOO, add a pinch of hot pepper flakes, then add 2- 14 oz. cans of diced tomatoes and simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes. Add chopped fresh basil at the end of cooking and stir. Boil 1/2 lb. of dried pasta as directed and use tongs to incorporate sauce. Garnish pasta with extra basil and Parmesan.