It’s a taste of the tropics in this dish, and even better – your slow cooker does most of the work for you! Those rich island flavours captured by the fresh pineapple, tomatoes and peppers are punctuated by the tangy zest of Worcestershire sauce and chili powder. The chicken and bright colour of the vegetables is sure to take centre stage so pair it with some plain white rice as not to add any competition. You can also try this recipe on the grill instead, but nothing’s better than putting it all in the slow cooker while you rest on your hammock under a palm tree for a couple of hours.

Tell us all about your go-to slow cooker recipe. Leave a comment in the comments section and share the wealth!

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Here we are at week two of our culinary adventure.  This week, we’re heading to a country where the food is as renowned as its history.  Italy, here we come!

From pizza to pasta and fragrant herbs and sauces, people all over the world enjoy the heart warming comfort foods of Italy.  But did you know that there’s so much more to Italian food than just pizza and pasta?  In fact, each region of Italy uses its own unique local flavours along with their own staple ingredients.

Take polenta, for example.  This ground cornmeal dish is a main staple in Northern Italy. The word polenta means “mush” mainly because it is cooked in water until it reaches a creamy smooth texture, though some people like to cook it until it becomes firm and easy to slice.

Top it with a dab of butter and grated cheese, such as parmigiano, provolone, fontina or mozzarella for a simple dish or try it with your favourite pasta sauce for a dish bursting with flavour!  Need an idea to get you started?  Here’s a true Italian polenta dish that will leave your taste buds wanting more!

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Buon appetito!

Seriously – who doesn’t like pizza?  It’s great for parties, great for casual get-togethers, and it’s a dinner selection that everyone can agree on.  Pizza gets a bad rap for being high in calories and fat, but when you take matters into your own hands, you can turn everyone’s favourite junk food into a nutritious treat for the whole family.

A great way to cut the not-so-goodness out of pizza is by replacing the usual oily deli meats with a lean protein like chicken.  Pre-cooked chicken breast is a great way to turn a basic pizza into a gourmet specialty while cutting the fat and calories, and it’s a great way to use up leftovers.  Add a lot of fresh veggies, and you can’t go wrong in the taste or nutrition department.

Start with the dough – whole wheat and thin crust are great ways to add fibre and cut calories.  You can buy pre-made pizza dough, but it’s incredibly easy to make at home.

Easy Pizza Dough

• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Mix the wet ingredients with the yeast, and let stand for 5 minutes until the yeast is foamy.  Then, mix in the flour and salt, and knead until everything is incorporated.  Cover the dough loosely with a towel, and let stand for about an hour.

Press it out thin with your palms or a rolling pin, and top with your favourite ingredients.  Tomato sauce is the old standby, but chicken goes especially well with pesto or a thin layer of your favourite barbeque sauce.  Add a bit of mozzarella or Friulano cheese, and bake at 450 degrees for about 12 – 15 minutes, and you’ve got a dinner that the family will love.

Want some more ideas?  Check out these recipes at chicken.ca:

Saucy Barbeque Chicken Pizza
Chicken Pesto Pizza
Grilled Chicken Pizza Margherita

This is the perfect appetizer for when you’ve got a big group coming over for movie night. Easy to whip up or make it in advance, it’s perfect for crunchy tortilla chips or as the filling for hard and soft tacos on taco night. The extra lean ground chicken is a great, heart-healthy alternative to traditional ground beef. As always, don’t be afraid to experiment and make this dip yours. Try out some different herb combinations, or throw in some extra veggies for colour. Whether you veer off our ingredient list or stick to it, you’re guaranteed a no-fail party appetizer that will keep your guests coming back for more.

Do you have a favorite party appetizer? Have you added your own spin to our nacho dip? Tell us all about it by leaving a comment below!

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With our hectic schedules, a slow cooker can really be a lifesaver when there just aren’t enough hours in the day. Chicken is a great option for the slow cooker, but overcooking the tender meat is a common concern. Here are some tips to keep in mind to make sure your slow cooker chicken meal is perfect when you get home from work.

It’s important to defrost the chicken before you put it in the slow cooker to make sure an even temperature is reached while cooking. Remember, never defrost your chicken at room temperature. Rather, put it in the refrigerator to thaw overnight. You could also try defrosting in cold water (remembering to change the water every 30 minutes) or in the microwave instead.

It’s best to take off the skin of the chicken before slow cooking, as generally foods rich in fat will cook faster.  If you’re leaving chicken with skin on in a slow cooker for say, five hours or more, this could easily lead to overcooked meat. Also, the fat will eventually melt during long cooking times, leaving your finished dish with an unpleasant taste and texture.

Dark meat will take longer to cook than the breasts, so if you’re cooking a whole chicken, place the legs and thighs on the bottom of the pot. If you’re thinking about cooking just the legs, our recipe for Sweet Coconut Clove Chicken is a great option.

Finally, remember to keep a lid on it! It’s tempting to take a peek or two to see how things are moving along, but every time you remove the lid, you let out heat and steam and add about 15-20 minutes onto the overall cooking time. Open the lid only to check and see if everything done, or if the dish needs a quick stir.

Are you ready for round two of our culinary adventure? I hope so, because this time around, we’ll be hitting some pretty exciting places! So get your bags packed and your appetites ready because our first destination is a spicy one – India!

Indian cuisine is enjoyed by people all over the world and with good reason. The vast array of flavours used in Indian cuisine comes from its many regions and climates making it one of the most diverse cuisines in the world, so you’re sure to find a dish to please just about every palate. Some of the more popular spices used in Indian cuisine are turmeric, cardamom, fennel, coriander, ginger, garlic, chilli pepper and black mustard seeds, to name a few. While these spices all have their own very distinct flavours they also have their own unique health benefits. So if you’re up for a healthy dish chock full of flavour, then you must try this recipe for Chicken Dhansack . Enjoy and be sure to savour those flavours!

Apples aren’t just for dessert! Try out this unique, main course recipe that features apples as the star.  This recipe guarantees your chicken will be moist, flavourful and bursting with that delicious apple pie smell. Fresh nutmeg and cinnamon are your secret weapons in this dish, as they add a rich and savory spiciness – the perfect complement to the sweetness of the caramelized apples.

Do you have a favorite savoury dish that features the versatile apple? Tell us all about it in the comments section!

Apple Pie Chicken

We’re always on the lookout for mouth-watering recipes, and here are some we’ve been eyeing on other blogs that we just had to share!

We love Brooke’s never-fail Prosciutto & Fig Crostini over on Take it and Like it. They’re incredibly quick and easy to make and look absolutely delicious! We also love how they can even result in marriage proposals! Nothing beats sharing the love through food.

• Prosciutto & Fig Crostini

Over at Guilty Kitchen, Elizabeth shares her cherished secret recipe for a classic roast chicken. The juicy chicken looks delicious with the colourful veggies. She also gives us some great information about root vegetables – we finally know the difference between yams and sweet potatoes!

• Perfect Every Time Roasted Chicken and Root Vegetables

Danielle’s “Ultimate Mac N Cheese” over on Diva Q definitely has our mouths watering. This classic comfort food is the perfect side dish or great as main course on its own!

• My Ultimate Mac N Cheese a great BBQ side dish.

There’s nothing more beautiful that a delicate dessert, and we’re loving Suzie’s Raspberry Blossoms over at Suzie the Foodie. Elegant and intricate, these beauties aren’t as difficult to make as you would think! Check out the recipe and try it yourself!

• Raspberry Blossoms

You just can’t go wrong with fresh ingredients. A quick and easy salad like this one really showcases how fresh herbs can transform a dish. Multi-task and you can have a healthy, warm meal in about 15 minutes! While the pasta is cooking, put your chicken breasts on the grill, then start chopping up your herbs and tomatoes. And don’t be shy! Get creative with your herbs and throw in some extra vegetables for colour and added nutrients. This dish also does double-duty, great on its own, or serve the leftovers with some salad greens for tomorrow’s lunch!

What’s your go-to salad recipe? Share your favorite salad in our comments section!

http://www.chicken.ca/DefaultSite/index.aspx?ArticleID=2733&lang=en-CA

I know you’ve all been anxiously waiting to hear what nifty kitchen gadgets I have for you today!  So without further ado, here they are!

Silicone Finger Tongs

I wouldn’t usually suggest putting your hands into a hot pan, but with these silicone finger tongs, you can do just that!  The unique design of these tongs, allow you to pick up your hot food right out of the pan.  They are also heat resistant up to 500°F (260°C) and dishwasher safe.   So if your usual cooking tongs just aren’t cutting it, then you’ll definitely want to try these out.

Herb chopper

I love the idea of this herb chopper!  First of all, you don’t need to use a cutting board because it comes with its own handy chopping surface that can easily be washed once you’re done.  As an added convenient bonus, the chopper fits right into the chopping surface for easy storage!

Digital recipe reader

Here’s a handy gadget that allows you to store up to 2500 of your tried and true recipes. Because of its light weight, you can bring it with you just about anywhere.  In fact, why not bring it with you when you’re grocery shopping?  Among many of the great features of this recipe reader are the built in timer, measurement converter and a list of ingredient substitutions.  I’m putting this one on my Birthday wish list!

Well, I hope you’ve enjoyed my second series of kitchen gadget finds.  Stay tuned for more!