Chuletas y Arroz con Pollo

I sent out a mass text message on Wednesday afternoon to the students of Epiphany Youth Ministry.  It read: "Hola amigo/a. Buenos dias! Esta noche estoy cocinando chuletas y arroz con pollo por JAM! Esta alli! Celebre el nuevo ano liturgico! Paz, Jose"

You don't have to understand spanish to know whatever I just said meant something like "I'm cooking one of the best things you have ever tasted so you better be there!" 

I give you: Pork Chops, rice with chicken, and a cucumber/tomato/onion/avocado salad.

My grandmother's recipe is risky business so don't think I'm going to post it on this blog for you to see.  But I will show you the pictures so you can attempt something along these lines in the future.  

Here are the ingredients.  Pretty standard for cooking Puerto Rican.  Sazón is probably the hardest thing to find.  It is sold at most grocery stores in Texas.  Ask for it by name: GOYA.

Arroz con pollo is somewhat similar to the Louisiana jambalaya; except this has olives, cilantro and capers.  Brown the chicken, cook the veggies down, mix it up, add rice, and that's it (basically).

brown chicken with salt and pepper in large cast iron pot

chicken, veggies, seasoning, chicken broth

rice cooked after 20 minutes. add the olives, capers

Chuletas are pork chops.  I decided to cook these in the oven but they cook very well on the grill as well.  20 minutes at 375 should do the trick.  I marinated them with olive oil, garlic, oregano, cayenne, salt, and pepper then laid them on a baking sheet with parchment paper.  

let them rest for at least 5 minutes before cutting

For the salad, chop up one cucumber, a couple tomatoes, half an onion and a few avocados.  Mix in a large bowl: olive oil, vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper.  Simple and delicious.

This meal hopefully prepared our students for Advent which starts this Sunday.  As we anticipate the Christmas season, I pray you have a moment to take a break from the "holiday shopping" and enjoy some good eats.

Happy Plates!

Chicken Four Two

Hello Blog-spot, you seem to have some BBQ dripping off your shirt.  You must have tried to eat some of this BBQ grilled chicken.  Yeah I know; It was Tasty.

Never be satisfied with store bought sauce.  Never use just one.  Mix up what you get.  "Doctor it up a bit" as some people say.  Then let the chicken and sauce mix.  Don't rush the bird, or the taste might run away.

Be patient with the grill process.  Give each leg enough time to crisp up and cook thoroughly.   

We served these chicken legs for Game One of the World Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Detroit Tigers.  No one thought the Giants had a chicken's chance but as we all know, they ended up taking Game One and sweeping the Series.  HMM BABY!

Blake and Me celebrating the Game One Victory!

 A lot has taken place since the last time I've posted about food.  Giants won the W.S., we've gone on two retreats, finished a full season of tailgating, and even zip lined for the first time.  Tons can happen in a 3 month time period, just be sure to eat right.  Something I've challenged myself to do on a more regular basis.  (still hard with the job though....)

Stephen and Me acting all tough pre-zip lining...We were scared!

Here's to hoping you had a great Thanksgiving and an even better, Blessed Christmas!


Happy Plates