Food Glore

I most recently discovered smittenkitchen.com while looking through a couple of food blogs. But Smitten Kitchen was amazing. I couldn't get over how good the food looked. And I'd browse through several of the recipes, just utterly in awe of simply food. It was literally food porn. Yes, I realize I have mentioned the word food in the every sentence since I started.

So, I decided to try a recipe. It was no easy task my friend, I was hooked, even as someone preferring food over dessert, I wanted to bake a cake, make fantastic cupcakes, just squeeze some icing on something. But, I withheld. Knowing me and starting too many things at once (because I am just so excited), I needed to finish one thing first. And plus, what I am going to do with 24 cupcakes, when really will be me eating it all? No sirree, I don't need the extra calories, so I'll save those lovely desserts for another time and for occasion. Oh, I also did wanted to mention, I did recently re-watch Julie and Julia which only fueled my need to make amazing deliciously good food. Anyways, I decided to make Smitten Kitchen's "Chicken with Almonds and Green Olives". And voila! I made some adjustments, but it still tasted great!

The main adjustment I made were:
1. Omitting the olives, because my family aren't huge fans of olives. (Funny story by the way, I will elaborate on that later on).
2. I ran around Loblaws a couple times trying to find "dry red chili" and couldn't find any so I substituted it with red peppers instead.
3. And no saffron. I found it in the spice department, but man, was it ever expensive for saffron. It was almost $13 for a bottle with a pinch of saffron. In fact, on of the bottle's label wrote "world's most expensive spice". No kidding. Anyways, I was being a little stingy on my end, and decided to not get it. (I'll get it the next time, when I few more dollars in my pocket).

So in fact, the dish turn out less spicy, but still delicious. The taste of the garlic, parsley, and the wine made all the difference.

Here's the recipe (See link for Smitten Kitchen)
Chicken With Almonds and Green Olives
New York Times, 3/27/05
6 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup blanched almonds (preferably Marcona)
1/2 cup country bread, torn into small pieces
4 cloves garlic, chopped
Small pinch saffron
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
4 chicken thighs and 4 chicken drumsticks Sea salt
Flour, for dusting
1 dried red chili
1 Spanish onion, sliced
1/2 cup white wine
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup pitted green olives.
1. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large braising pan. Add the almonds, bread and garlic. Cook over medium heat so the garlic softens and the bread toasts but nothing burns. Scrape into a food processor and let cool for 5 minutes. Add the saffron and parsley and pulse to a coarse paste.
2. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Season the chicken with salt and dust with flour. Add 2 tablespoons oil to the braiser and place over medium-high heat. Add chicken and brown all sides, then remove to a plate. Wipe out the pan. Add remaining oil, the chili and onions and cook until softened. Discard the chili. Nestle chicken in the pan, pour in the wine and reduce by half.
3. Add the almond mixture and the broth, bring to a simmer, cover the pan and braise in the oven until the chicken is almost tender, about 40 minutes. Stir in the olives and cook until the chicken is very tender, 10 minutes more. Serve from the pan. Serves 4.

We served it with some pasta, potatoes and zucchini on the side, with some white wine as well. All in all, an excellent meal for a Tuesday evening. I skipped out on gym tonight, so I will now definitely need to go tomorrow, as I had an extra few bits!

On another note, I've been in an artsy mood, being on my days off. So, I've started on a painting, and spent much of my day today doing that. Its been nice, so long since I've painted. I'll update you on how that goes!

Ohhh one more picture... thanks to my friends Grace and Steph and their trip to NYC, I've been able to try these tasty cupcakes!! Must go to that bakery next time!

Can I also add something on a totally random note? I've recently started Modern Family, and it is awesome. I actually crack up so much while watching it. Any Modern Family fans out there? Join me, if you aren't yet, you won't regret it.