How to Poach Chicken

Poaching is a simple cooking technique that prepares the chicken slowly and gently in a simmering, but not boiling poaching liquid that covers the food. It is considered to be the best way to cook boneless, skinless chicken as no oil or fat is required and still the end result is succulent, tender, delicious low-fat chicken worthy of any chicken recipe. Another advantage of poached chicken is that it is lower in sodium, and is apparently more moist than any other cooked chicken.

Poached chicken can be used in any chicken recipe including chicken sandwich, as a filling for chicken pot pies, burritos, salads, etc. The key ingredient of this cooking technique is the poaching liquid which can be as simple as plain water or can be a seasoned or flavored liquid like white wine, chicken broth, water infused with fresh or dried herbs and chopped vegetables, fruit juices, light coconut milk, etc.

Method for Poaching Chicken

Things Required:

• Whole or chopped chicken
• Chopped onions
• Chopped celery
• Chopped carrots
• Chicken broths
• 1 tsp black peppercorns
• Salt

Steps to be Followed:

• Depending upon the size of the chicken or chicken pieces, amount of the poaching liquid i.e., chicken broth so that chicken gets completely covered in it.
• In a large pot, boil the chicken broth and for every quart of liquid, put approximately 1 cup each chopped onion, carrot and celery in it.
• Add the peppercorns and season the poaching liquid slightly with salt.
• Reduce the heat so the liquid is just below a simmer and with the help of a food thermometer check its temperature.
• If the temperature is around 190 C, add the chicken or chicken pieces to the liquid and ensure that the chicken is well submerged.
• Cook about 15 - 20 minutes for chicken pieces and 45 - 60 minutes for whole chicken.

Poaching Chicken Breasts

Ingredients:

• Chicken (Boneless chicken breast, split chicken breast or chicken thighs)
• Poaching liquid (Water, broth, and/or wine)
• Flavorings like rosemary, bay leaf, thyme, oregano, lemon zest, ginger, garlic, celery, onions, carrots, etc.
• Salt

Steps to be Followed:

• In a pan, place the chicken breast and add enough poaching liquid to cover it.
• Add salt and desired flavorings to it and bring the liquid to a boil.
• Now reduce the heat and let it simmer for 2 - 3 minutes.
• Remove the pan from heat, cover it and let the chicken breast rest in it for 20 - 30 minutes.
• Finally keep the chicken in a container, cover with liquid and refrigerate.

To enhance the flavor and the texture of your chicken, match the seasonings according to your recipe, do not use too much of salt and watch the time so that you do not overcook the chicken. Also if you do not know what to do with the left over poaching liquid, do not throw it as it can be used in soups and gravies.

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Dinner Ideas for Tonight for Two

Ever thought of the precious moments we lose with our loved in the pursuit of happiness (read material gains and comfort)? Well, without we realizing this, it happens week after week. In your daily grind you don't get quality time to spend with your partner or spouse. A quiet dinner with your spouse or partner can do the trick and rekindle the romance and love for each other. These are rare and precious moments you have steal from the hectic schedule and cherish for years to come. It is not the fortune of everyone amongst us to have a great meal with the woman or man desired. Make the most of your time with these dinner ideas!

Easy Dinner Ideas for Two

You needn't be as extravagant or James Bond or Jerry Maguire when having a romantic dinner with that special someone or even any other person of significance in your life! Easy and quick dinner ideas for two will do, as far as you are together!

The Sea is Witness
Wow! What can be more romantic than walking hand-in-hand on the beach! The first idea which I would love to suggest is to get some food packed - either home-made or ready-made and have it on a beach. If that is possible, of course! Otherwise a riverside would do, what say? With the moon shinning and stars accompanying it, what else do you need for a perfect ambiance for dinner? Go on have a great time!

Deck'ed' Up
Have a patio or deck? If the answer is yes, well, then you have another good dinner idea for tonight for two. What you need now is barbecue. Set up the barbecue on the patio, yard or deck. Cook together, it is great way to strengthen that bond once more. Tasty barbecue and spicy conversation. Is it getting hot? Well, i say why not! Good food, good company - bliss it is. If barbecue is not our thing, cook as you would regularly do and then set a table out with candles and a rose in a vase and you are all set for a nice cozy meal. Even two friends or siblings can really have a great time with this dinner idea, isn't it?

Where is the Party Tonight
Well, another cool dinner idea for two would be a takeaway. Pick up some hamburgers and fries and then just go to a drive in theater and have a nice time there. It is not just a great idea for a romantic getaway, but it can be a good idea if you want to spend time with your best buddy or a sibling or even with either of your parents! One of the simple dinner ideas you can implement.

A Full House
Cook a special meal and consider as if there are no lights. Set the table and illuminate the surroundings with candle light. Put some soothing music on and you are done! But yes, remember that the food too should be a bit different than usual. A gourmet dish, made with splash of red wine, pasta, ravioli or the like will be just perfect. However, this one is better suited for a romantic rendezvous, rather than a dinner setting for siblings or a parent and child setting.

Starry Night
Have a big enough patio or yard? No actually not a patio, a yard. Okay, good. Do you have a small tent? Affirmative? Cool! So then just put up that tent in your yard and have food there with some good music! This is one idea which always works - be it a love-struck couple or siblings which need to bond better or two friends who have met after a long time. Although I would rather have the tent for romantic dinners, than anything else.

If you want to have some nostalgia in, remember where was the first time you met your special someone or your best friend. Eat around that place and have walk there or if that place was a restaurant or a cafe, you need not even think of going anywhere else!

Same thing applies if you are taking one of your parents or arranging for them, the same thing can be done. Ask them where they met for the first time if you are setting the dinner for them. Or if you go with either of your parents, you may recall which was the eating place you went with your parents for the first time!

Well, I guess, these are good enough, until we come up with more! Have fun!

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How to Prepare Leeks

Leeks belong to the Allium family, and is a popular vegetable added to soups and stews, and used as a garnish. Unlike other members of its family that produce bulb-like onions, leeks are cylindrical in shape in bundled green leaf sheaths. And unlike other onions, leeks are mellow in taste, especially in its pungency. To get the right flavor or taste, it is imperative to know your leeks and how to prepare them.

Preparing Leeks for Cooking

Leeks are available in quite a number of cultivars, that make it easier to find fresh ones throughout the year. Certain varieties are intended for harvest in the same season they are planted, while some are harvested the following spring. Leeks found in summer are mostly short as compared to the ones harvested the following year. Peak winters is perhaps the only time, leeks disappear from the vendor's basket. Being a green leafy vegetable, leeks require plenty of cleaning, even the ones bought from vegetable stores.

Not all parts of the leek is added to meals, only the white onion base and light green stalk. This onion base has mild flavor. The dark green leafy portion is usually left out for garnishes, as it is tasteless and being too ripened can be woody, chewy and flavorless. However, this dark green portion is used while preparing stock. Leaves are also used for decorative purposes, like they are twined to hold bouquets or pouches together.

Washing and Preparing

While picking your leeks fresh from the garden or stores, make sure you pick green healthy ones. Soft or mushy onion base should be avoided as that is a sign of set rot, and wet leek leaves don't hold well. Cut the leek's cylindrical bulb at the base just below the really dark green part. The leek has plenty of layers on the inside, and each layer is capable of collecting quite a bit of dirt. How you cut the leeks now completely depends upon how and what you want to use it in; lengthwise or roundels.

Cooking Leeks

To cut your leeks into rings, hold them down on a flat cutting board, 6-7 together, and start from the base side until you reach the length where the leaves get separated. Place the leek roundels in a large bowl of water and gently swirl it. Let it stand in water. The grime will loosen up and settle down. Lift the leek rings up and drain dirty water. If the leeks are quite dirty follow the process a couple of times. For particular needs, leeks can be cut lengthwise too. Just trim off the base and just below the dark green leaf starts. For slimmer leeks, cut half into lengthwise, whereas a more rounder leek can have three cuts. Unlike other members of the onion family, leeks cannot be eaten raw, they need to cooked; steamed, stewed or boiled. Some do prefer to eat raw, but as part of salad with dressing added.

Now that you are well-versed with the idea of cooking leeks, how to prepare them and use them in different dishes should not be so difficult.

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Recipes for Baked Breaded Pork Chops

Pork chops are a cut of meat that are taken from the spine of the pig. This perpendicularly cut meat chop contains a rib. There are many mouth-watering recipes that can be made using pork chops. Cooking pork chops in the oven is hassle free and less time-consuming. It also retains and enhances the flavor of the meat. So don your chef's cap and try these yummy oven-baked pork chops recipes.

Breaded Pork Chops Baked in Oven

Ingredients

• Pork chops, inch thick, 4 to 6
• All-purpose flour, cup
• Medium-sized onion, finely chopped, 1
• Paprika, 3 tablespoons
• Extra virgin olive oil, cup
• Powdered sugar, teaspoon
• Garlic powder, teaspoon
• Freshly ground pepper, 1 teaspoon
• Oregano, teaspoon
• Crushed cracker crumbs, 2 cups
• Salt to taste

Directions

Clean the pork chops and sprinkle pepper and salt and set aside. (You can also use boneless pork chops, according to your preference). In a separate bowl, mix the crushed cracker crumbs, paprika, finely chopped onion, garlic powder, flour, oregano, extra virgin olive oil and powdered sugar and combine thoroughly. Now add the pork chops and toss them. Grease a baking sheet and transfer the pork chops along with the mixture to the sheet. Bake the pork chops in a preheated oven at 350 F for about one hour till the pork chops become tender and light brown. To check if the pork is done, pierce it with a fork.

Italian Breaded Pork Chops

Ingredients

• Pork chops, 4 to 5
• Italian seasoned bread crumbs, 1 cups
• Eggs, lightly beaten, 3
• Garlic cloves, peeled and chopped, 4
• Milk, 3 tablespoons
• Olive oil, 2 tablespoons
• Grated Parmesan cheese, cup
• Dried parsley, 2 tablespoons

Directions

Take a small bowl, beat the eggs and milk together and keep aside. In another bowl, mix the bread crumbs, shredded Parmesan cheese and the parsley. In a medium-sized skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the garlic, once the oil gets heated. Cook the garlic pieces till they let out the aroma and turn brown. Transfer the browned garlic pieces to a plate. Now take the pork chops and dip it in the egg milk mixture. Coat the dipped pork chops in the bread mixture and fry them in the heated olive oil for about 10 minutes, till they turn light brown on all sides. Now add the fried garlic and place the skillet in a preheated oven at 165 C. Allow the pork chops to bake in the oven for about 25 minutes.

Breaded Pork Chops Baked with Sauce

Ingredients for Breaded Pork Chops

• Pork chops, inches thick, 5 to 7
• Bread crumbs or coarse cracker crumbs, 1 cup
• Eggs, beaten, 2
• Grated Parmesan cheese, cup
• Crushed oregano leaves, teaspoon
• Milk, 2 tablespoons
• Pepper, teaspoon
• Butter, 2 tablespoons
• Salt, teaspoon

Ingredients for Sauce

• Medium-sized onion, finely chopped, 1
• Tomatoes, finely diced, 4
• Cornstarch, 1 tablespoon
• Tomato ketchup, 4 tablespoons
• Garlic clove, mashed, 1
• Sugar pepper, 1 teaspoon
• Water, cup
• Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon
• Olive oil, 1 tablespoon
• Salt, 1 teaspoon

Directions

In a medium bowl combine the bread crumbs (or coarse cracker crumbs, as per your preference), crushed oregano leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, pepper and salt and mix well. Take a separate bowl and beat the eggs and milk together. Coat the pork chops with the cracker mixture and then dip them in the egg mixture. Now apply a second coat of cracker mixture to the pork chops and keep them in a plate. Coat a baking tray with butter and arrange the pork chops on the tray. Place the tray in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for about half an hour. Turn the sides and bake again for another 30 minutes. Remove the tray from the oven and transfer the pork chops to a separate plate.

For the sauce, finely chop the onion and tomatoes. Heat the olive oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat and saute the mashed garlic and onion till the onion turns light brown. Add the chopped tomatoes and cook till the tomatoes become soft and begin to leave the juice. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, tomato ketchup, pepper and salt and mix well. Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for about 15 minutes. Combine the cornstarch and water and mix it with the sauce to make it thick. Turn down the burner and pour this sauce over the baked breaded pork chops. Garnish with a sprig of cilantro or oregano leaves and serve hot with rice.

Coconut Baked Pork Chops

Ingredients

• Pork chops, 4
• Coconut milk, 1 can
• Bread crumbs, 2 cups
• Chicken broth, 1 cup
• Coconut oil, 2 to 4 tablespoons
• Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon
• Coriander, teaspoon
• Juice of half a lime
• Onion powder, 1 teaspoon
• Garlic powder 1 teaspoon
• Powdered ginger, teaspoon
• Freshly ground black pepper, teaspoon
• Salt to taste

Directions

Take a medium-sized bowl and blend the lime juice, coconut milk and Dijon mustard. In a separate bowl, mix together the bread crumbs, coriander, ginger, garlic powder, pepper, onion powder and salt. Dip the pork chop in the coconut milk and coat it with the crumb mixture. Heat some coconut oil in the oven. Sear the coated pork chops in the heated oil for a couple of minutes. Bake the chops in the preheated oven at 350 degrees for about half an hour. Enjoy this preparation with brown rice.

Here were some easy breaded pork chops recipes, made in different ways. You can also use pieces of chicken or meat along with the pork chops to dish out an entirely authentic recipe. Have fun!

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Oyster Sauce Calories

If you are fond of Chinese or Vietnamese cuisine, then you must be familiar with oyster sauce. Oyster sauce is one of the basic sauces that is used extensively in preparing Chinese cuisine particularly Cantonese cuisine. As the name suggests oyster sauce is made with oysters. Firstly, fresh oysters are boiled in water until the oysters are cooked through and the water is of the consistency of a thick white broth. This broth is then reduced until it has a slightly thick consistency and is of a dark brown color. It has a rich texture and its taste is slightly salty and sweet.

Nowadays the oyster sauces that we get in a supermarket have additives in them in the form of cornstarch, brown sugar and soy sauce to lend that beautiful dark rich color which is the hallmark of a genuine oyster sauce. If a recipe lists oyster sauce as one of its ingredients, then you cannot substitute it with another sauce. Knowing oyster sauce calories, will help you in understanding how many calories the sauce is contributing to the ultimate dish. Here, we are going to discuss the calories in oyster sauce.

Calories in Oyster Sauce

Oyster sauce is used in stir fries and noodles and it imparts a rich smoky flavor to these dishes. It might seem strange, but there is a version of vegetarian oyster sauce too. This is made from oyster mushrooms which have a meaty texture and flavor and replicates the taste of an authentic oyster sauce. You can also use oyster sauce substitute. One tablespoon of oyster sauce contains around 9 calories. A tablespoon of oyster sauce contains approximately 14 grams of the sauce. 1 ounce of oyster sauce contains around 14 calories. The calories in oyster sauce might not seem much on its own. But you need to remember that this sauce is used in conjunction with other meat and vegetables, which will also contribute to the number of calories that you ultimately consume. You also need to keep in mind that the calories in oyster sauce will vary across different brands of the sauce.

Oyster Sauce Nutrition Facts

Oyster sauce is used in a number of food preparations like marinades for meat and poultry, as a dipping sauce with dumplings and as a flavoring agent in stir fries and stews. 1 ounce of oyster sauce contains no saturated fats and trans fats. It contains 3 grams of carbohydrates and no cholesterol. Oyster sauce is high in vitamin B12, riboflavin, selenium and Niacin. It is a good source of minerals like copper, potassium, magnesium and zinc which is required by the body for its proper functioning. On the downside, this sauce is very high in sodium and should be used in moderation by people who suffer from high blood pressure.

All sauces in general are high in calories and saturated fat content. This is particularly true in case of classic French sauces and Italian sauces like hollandaise sauce, Bearnaise sauce and Alfredo sauce. But oriental sauces like hoisin sauce, oyster sauce and black bean sauce are comparatively lower in calories and saturated fat. This is because these oriental sauces do not have a butter and egg base. However all these sauces are quite high in sodium. People who are suffering from high blood pressure, gout, diabetes or any inflammatory diseases should stay away or at least use these sauces in moderation.

Calories in oyster sauce is not much and you can use them in your food preparation as long as use it in moderation. Since oyster sauce high amounts of sodium, you can decrease the amount of salt you use in the dish to make your food more healthy.

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Grilled Vegetables

Grilled vegetables are the easiest and the tastiest ways to have a healthy vegetable meal. Considering the fact that all vegetables can be grilled, there are many recipes for the same. You can put together any type and any amount of vegetables and grill them in an oven or simply on a grill. Grilled vegetables are also one of the best eatables, when you have a barbecue party in your backyard. Grilling, makes vegetables like tomatoes, sweet corn, peppers and onions juicy and flavored. The vegetables get a slightly burned and crispy taste to them, along with the blend of butter and flavor of the neighboring vegetables. You can choose to eat these, either straight off the grill or use them in another recipe which will accentuate it's taste even more. No matter how you eat them, they will make your mouth water once you see butter and juice dripping out of the steamy vegetables.

Grilled Vegetable Recipes

Grilled vegetables are always the center plate on the table of a normal vegetarian meal. They can be simply grilled only with butter, or with a marinade specially made for them. There are many recipes which involve these marinades, as well as ways to grill vegetables. We have put together a few of these to convince you about the great tastes vegetables can have at times. On the nutritional front, along with all the nutrients obtained from the vegetables, calories per serving are about 154 cal.

Marinade for Grilled Vegetables
Marinades make your vegetables better in taste than the usual boring buttery tastes. All you have to do, to get these amazing and unique tastes is, to put in all the ingredients together and brush the vegetables with it, then marinate them for 30 minutes to an hour before grilling them.

Cilantro and Spicy Orange

• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon orange marmalade

Garlic and lemon

• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Soy and sesame

• 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
• 2 tablespoons seasoned rice wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Grilled Vegetables with or without Marinade
For these grilled vegetables, you can use the above mentioned marinades or you can simply make grilled vegetables in foil with butter. When you grill it with foil, they get better cooked, but the rusty taste comes only when they are grilled without the foil.

Italian Grilled Vegetables
Ingredients

• 1 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1/3 cup and 3 tablespoons olive oil separate
• 4 medium un-peeled red potatoes
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3 ounces garlic-flavored soft goat cheese, cut into 8 pieces
• 8 asparagus spears
• 5 sweet corns cut into halves
• 1 (each) red and yellow bell peppers, cut in half and stem and seeds removed
• 1 Japanese eggplant, cut lengthwise into inch slices
• 2 small zucchini, cut lengthwise into thin slices
• 12 large mushrooms
• 2 poblano peppers, cut in half and stems and seeds removed
• teaspoon salt
• teaspoon black pepper
• Small bowl of any marinade

Directions
Prepare the grill for direct grilling and while doing this, cook the vegetables one by one. Cook the potatoes in boiling water till they are tender, drain and then cool slightly. Cut them into pieces. Prepare the marinade and set it aside till the vegetables are cut. You can either grill the vegetables by inserting them into skewers or by simply keeping them on the grill. Brush these with olive oil or butter. Once you have sliced all the vegetables in the desired manner, brush them with the marinade or simply the oil and keep them on the grill over a medium heat for 2 to 5 minutes. Once they are slightly brown, arrange the cheese and the grilled vegetables on a large glass plate and drizzle it with some marinade and stand it for 15 minutes.

With these simply lip smacking recipes for grilled vegetables, I am sure, it's hard to resist the temptation of cooking them right away. So, make sure you try these great marinades for your vegetables the next time, you grill them.

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Soy Sauce Nutrition

"Soy sauce: a strong-tasting dark brown liquid made from fermented soya beans and used especially in Chinese and Japanese cooking." - Cambridge Dictionary.

The debate over the question as to whether soy sauce is really healthy or not has been a long stretched one and most people are yet to know that the sauce from soy actually does have some health benefits. Also in today's health conscious world, even the nutrition value of water is sought, so it is hardly unusual that people will be inquisitive about the nutritional value of soy sauce. This condiment which is known for its oriental aroma but also the dark hue that it suffuses is does have both pros and cons which we will be analyzing in the next few paragraphs in relation to the nutrients present to soy sauce.

Soy Sauce Nutrition Facts

All the soy sauce nutritional information given below corresponds to 255 grams or one cup of the condiment, which is being used by humans for over 2,500 years.

• Amazingly, soy sauce has literally a negligible amount of fat. In one cup only 0.1 gram of polyunsaturated fat can be traced. It has no saturated fat at all and neither any helpful monounsaturated fats present.
• As far as the carbohydrates content is concerned in one cup there is usually 21.7 grams present out of which 2 grams are metabolism boosting fibers and nearly 4.3 grams of energy producing sugars.
• Protein wise soy sauce isn't bad as 1 cupful is enough to cater to 26% (13.2 gms) of the Daily Value stipulation of necessary protein intake.
• Soy sauce may have 0% cholesterol, but it is very very high in sodium. A single cup of this sauce has approximately 8499 mg of sodium which is 254% more than the total daily bodily requirement of sodium. This is not always good.
• 255 grams of soy sauce not only has about 459 mgs of potassium but, it is also rich in other minerals, such as phosphorus (281 mg), magnesium (87 mg), zinc (6.26 mg), and manganese (1.2 mg). Besides, it also fulfills about 43% of calcium and 29% of the daily iron requirement of the body.
• Lacking in A, C and E vitamins, varieties of vitamin B can be traced in soy sauce. For instance, the above mentioned measurement has about vitamin B1 called thiamin (0.13 mg), B2 or riboflavin (0.33 mg), B3 known as niacin (8.56 mg), B5 or pantothenic acid (0.81 mg), and 22% of the DV of vitamin B6. It also comprises bits of choline, betaine, and cell developing folates.
• Even though lacking in vitamin C, soy sauce has nothing less than 150 times more the antioxidental potency of C vitamin. So, it inhibits the damage wrecked by carcinogenic and skin harming free radicals much better.
• Soy sauce is concocted by fermenting soy beans with either barley or wheat (roasted) along with yeast in salty water. This removes the side effects of oxalic acid derivatives and phytic acid which releases the nutrients for utilization, the latter binds together, thus becoming the healthiest form of edible of all soy products.

So, how many calories in soy sauce? One cupful has 135 to 170 calories out of which only 2 comes from fats.

[* Percentages in the bracket indicate the DV (Daily Value) of the contents and not their quantity in the condiment.]

Soy Sauce Health Benefits

It is believed that the body derives isoflavones which are known to shield the body from the risk of impending breast and prostatic cancer along with other complications such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular troubles. As they also happen to closely resemble female steroid sex hormones called estrogen, they can only regulate and tackle problems triggered by excess or low estrogen levels in the body and therefore can subsequently harness menopause symptoms.

If the low sodium variety of soy sauce is less likely to heighten blood pressure and therefore one can actually reap the other benefits of soy sauce. Reading the label before purchasing the sauce can help you to determine the soy sauce ingredients and how safe it is. You can also use only soy sauce in a recipe and no salt at all to curtail the sodium content by at least 50% and research has shown that even the taste doesn't get affected by the absence of salt at all. However, if you are already a pressure patient then it would be in your interest to keep away from it.

But those with wheat allergies or are intolerant to gluten, a chronic digestive problems causing protein composite will have to make do with a viable soy sauce substitute depending on what you're making and the availability of substances. Liquid aminos with caramel are gluten free, low in sodium content and are taste wise undifferentiable when used in cooking.

So, there you have a detailed picture of soy sauce nutrition and the potential benefits you can reap from it health wise. There are a variety of soy sauces flooding the markets, other than the traditional Chinese ones. Check with the label, take your pick wisely, do not over use it and you'll not miss benefiting from it.

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