A recipe inspired by a cookbook a new friend let me borrow!
Cookbook Exchange Idea
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Food prepared, styled and photographed by Carolyn J. Braden
COOKBOOK EXCHANGE IDEA:
Love to cook at home, but tired of the same old recipes? Besides Pinterest (which I LOVE to use as inspiration for new recipe ideas), there is always the tried and true method of using a cookbook. Find a friend that loves to cook as much as you do (and has as many cookbooks as you) and exchange your favorite cookbook with each other for one month (or longer). It’s a sort of “cookbook library” system that is super fun! I use my phone to snap shots of my favorite recipes (or end up buying the book myself!).
The cookbook I borrowed this month? The Modern Art of Chinese Cooking by Barbara Tropp. It’s a very well written GIANT book full of awesome recipes and tips and tricks. Due to my husband’s and my dietary restrictions, I was able to take one of the most frequently used recipes in the book (Master Sauce) and turn it into a recipe we both could enjoy. By posting it here on my website, I’ve also created a healthier option for others to enjoy too!
I removed the soy sauce (as soy provides no real health benefit to humans), the sugar cube and the rice vinegar (to make it grain free) and added in much healthier alternatives without sacrificing flavor. I also only used non-GMO or organic ingredients, as I always do.
One thing I definitely kept: star anise. I always wanted to try it, but never had a reason. This recipe allowed me to try the beautiful and beautifully scented spice.
This recipe comes together to become a meal using one of my favorite paleo friendly grain-like side dishes, cauliflower rice.
See the See the Tips and Tricks section below the recipe for some helpful recipe ideas.
Servings: 2-3
Preparation + Cooking Time: 65 minutes
Suggested kitchen tools: 9x13 inch glass baking dish, grater, tablespoon, measuring cup, one large mixing bowl, saran wrap, foil, knife, whisk
Ingredients:
2 lbs. chicken breast, cut into strips (or purchase pre-cut tenderloins)
1 cup coconut aminos
1 inch knob of fresh, peeled and grated ginger
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons coconut sugar
1 star anise (or at least 5 star “points”)
12 ounce bag cauliflower rice (frozen or fresh)**
1 tablespoon olive oil (for greasing the baking dish)
Optional Toppings:
black and white sesame seeds and chopped green onions
How-To:
Make sauce: In a large mixing bowl combine the peeled and grated ginger, coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, coconut sugar and star anise points. Whisk well.
Add the chicken to the sauce, cover, and marinade for 30 minutes (or overnight if you have the time) in the refrigerator.
Heat your oven to 350 degrees (F)
Grease the baking dish with the olive oil (I put it in the pan and then used a paper towel to spread it out in order to keep my hands clean).
Pour the chicken and the sauce into the prepared baking dish. Cover with foil.
Bake for 30 minutes, removing from the oven at the 15 minute mark to flip the chicken.
While the chicken bakes, cook the cauliflower rice according to package directions**. (I cooked mine in a separate skillet on the stove top for a few minutes, but you could microwave it in the bag IF you purchased a frozen variety).
To serve: Add some cauliflower rice and baked chicken to a plate. Drizzle leftover “sauce” on onto the plated dish. Top with the optional sesame seeds and green onion.
Eat and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks:
I found my ingredients at Whole Foods but the ingredients could be found at most grocery stores and online
**If you can’t find cauliflower rice, you can use white rice, but it won’t be Paleo/grain free. You can also make your own cauliflower rice by rinsing a head of cauliflower, chop it into bite sized pieces, and adding it to a food processor. Pulse the food processor until the cauliflower looks like rice. Then add it to an oiled skillet and cook on medium-high heat until soft.
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I also love to hear how people made my recipes their own! Post it to social media and tag it #carolynsdailydishes or @carolynsbloomingcreations
Easy and Yummy Master Sauce Baked Chicken (DF, GF, P)
Pin Me! www.carolynsbloomingcreations.com
Food prepared, styled and photographed by Carolyn J. Braden