Life is full of little stressors, isn’t it? Whether it be work, life, family, or a combo of the three, sometimes instead of screaming out into the universe, IIII’M STREESSSED (which, cough, I have been known to do) I’ll take a soul-cleansing walk outside, buy myself a bouquet of flowers, or simply think about things that have made me smile or laugh recently.
Lately that’s included…
Dunkin’ Donuts Iced Coffee. It was finally warm enough to switch from hot beverages to cool sips last week, so I took a chance and ordered my first ever Dunkin’ Donuts’ iced coffee one morning. With a hit of milk and sugar, it was even more delish than I imagined. Not too sweet nor bitter at all, and perfect with a chocolate munchkin or two. A DD is moving in fairly close to my house in a few months and, well, I’m scared.
My little brother. Both my brothers make me laugh but I tell you what, my little brother, whom I don’t get to see nearly enough as he lives in Denver, makes me laugh out loud like a maniac. I Facetimed with him last week as he was recovering from Lasik eye surgery and my face hurt by the time we hung up. He so crazy.
Becoming a Mama. Ben and I went to a couple’s shower over the weekend for some friends who are a few weeks ahead of us and shared a few laughs over new, much earlier bedtimes, increased trips to the restroom, and the strange things strangers say to pregnant women. As relatively painless (well, tell that to my sciatic) as this pregnancy as been, I can’t wait to meet our little munchkin. Like, really, really can’t wait.
Ben: They say pregnancy makes you fall even more in love with your husband or partner and, while I didn’t think that was possible, I suppose it’s true. Without making you want to barf, he’s the first thing I think of when I need a mood lift. Especially his patented orange wedge smile which he likes to surprise me with and then pretend nothing’s amiss. It pretty much makes me the happiest person on the planet.
Speaking of oranges, I totally believe in the calming powers of scent and taste, and there is something so uplifting about a sweet and citrusy orange. I’ve been buying sacks of ‘em like a mad woman lately, using them to both (help) satisfy my sweet tooth in the evening, and juice in the morning with carrots and ginger for a fresh wake up call. Nature’s perfect treat, if you ask me.
This weekend I harnessed the fresh, bright taste of oranges and used them in Blue Moon Orange Chicken!
Blue Moon Orange Chicken is a quick and easy skillet supper that incorporates sauteed chicken with an easy pan sauce of Blue Moon beer, low-sodium soy sauce, and freshly squeezed orange juice.
Orange slices squeezed into a freshly poured Blue Moon just happens to be one of my summertime treats, and the flavor combo is just as tasty – nay, tastier! – in this recipe. A little sweet, a little savory, and a little salty. I inhaled this light and springy dish!
Start the Blue Moon Chicken by brushing 1lb chicken breasts on both sides with extra virgin olive oil, seasoning with salt and pepper, and then sauteing in a skillet over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes a side, or until done.
Slide ‘em off onto a plate then set aside.
Next, reduce the heat to medium then heat 1-1/2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, and then add 2 large shallots sliced thin. Saute until translucent, about 1-2 minutes.
Now add 1 cup Blue Moon beer and 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce (don’t use regular – it will be way too salty!)
FYI – you can use whatever wheat beer you have in the house but, as I mentioned, Blue Moon pairs terrifically with oranges. You’ll just love it in here!
Next squeeze in the juice of 2 oranges.
Turn the heat up to bring the liquid to a boil then simmer until slightly thickened, about 4-5 minutes. If you are worried about serving this dish to children or pregnant women, the alcohol will cook out in this step leaving a savory, subtle taste of beer behind.
Add the chicken breasts back into the skillet to warm through.
Serve, spooning the orange-beer sauce over, then dig in!
Blue Moon Orange Chicken
Serves 4
Slightly adapted from Cooking Light
Ingredients:
1lb chicken breasts, pounded thin
extra virgin olive oil, for brushing
salt & pepper
1-1/2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 large shallots, sliced thin
1 cup Blue Moon beer
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce (do not use regular)
juice of 2 oranges
Directions:
- Brush both sides of chicken breasts with extra virgin olive oil then season with salt and pepper. Cook in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes a side, or until cooked through, then remove to a plate and set aside.
- Turn heat down to medium, add extra virgin olive oil to skillet, and then add shallots. Cook shallots until translucent, about 1 minute, then add beer, soy sauce, and orange juice. Turn heat up and bring mixture to a boil then cook, scraping up brown bits from bottom of skillet with a wooden spoon, until sauce has reduced and thickened, 4-5 minutes. Add chicken back to skillet then coat with sauce and serve.
I practically licked the extra sauce off my plate, it was so good! Just a hint of orange – definitely not too sweet – and that soy sauce was the perfect accent flavor.
I served roasted asparagus on the side – just asparagus with the end snapped off then tossed with extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper and then roasted for 10 minutes at 425 degrees. Fresh asparagus was everywhere at the Farmers’ Market this weekend. It is so good right now!
I also quickly baked up a few Alexia Sweet Potato Rolls to serve on the side. Straight from the freezer to the oven and baked in 10 minutes.
I looooooooved these rolls!! Really light and fluffy, with a slightly sweet taste. They matched the flavors in the meal really well.
What little things have made you smile recently?
Alexia Foods Prize Pack Giveaway!
So that you can try Alexia Sweet Potato Rolls for yourself, or any other Alexia product for that matter (I recommend the seasoned sweet potato waffle fries or sweet potato tots – OMG!) Alexia is giving away the following prize pack to one IGE reader!
- 1 coupon for a FREE Alexia product
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Enter to win the Alexia prize pack described above using the voting widget below. Click the “+1″ button then click “Enter” by 11:59pm central time on Wednesday, May 15th. Good luck!
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Blue Moon Orange Chicken
May 13, 2013