>Employee Meal: 19 January 2011

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Tandoori Chicken Breasts and Thighs (and also Tofu), served with Basmati Rice Pilaf

 
Curry Powder
Yield: 1/2 cup
3 tablespoons ground cumin
3 tablespoons quality chili powder
2 tablespoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground fenugreek
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Mix all the spices thoroughly and store away from direct sunlight in a jar with a tight fitting lid.

Simple Tandoori-Style Chicken Breasts 

Yield: 4 servings

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup plain yogurt
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons curry powder
2 fresh jalapeno chilies, seeded
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 small onion, diced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
4 boneless chicken breasts

Combine in a food processor the lemon juice, yogurt, garlic, curry, jalapeno, ginger, salt, black pepper, and onion. Puree until smooth. Add the cilantro and pulse the processor just until combined. Using a sharp knife make a few slashes across each side of the chicken breasts, being careful not to cut all the way through. Transfer the chicken to a shallow pan and pour the yogurt mixture over, turning the chicken to ensure it is thoroughly coated. Refrigerate and marinate the chicken for 2-4 hours. Remove some of the marinade and discard it. Grill or roast the chicken breasts until cooked. The chicken breasts make excellent sandwiches or main course with basmati rice.
Basmati Pilaf with Almonds and Raisins
Yield: about 6 cups
2 tablespoons clarified butter
1/2 cup diced onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon saffron threads
1 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups Basmati rice or other long grain rice
3 cups hot chicken broth
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup toasted almonds
Heat the butter in a heavy-bottomed pot. Add the onion and garlic; sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the saffron, salt, and pepper; sauté another minute. Stir in the rice and broth. Cover the pot and for 15 minutes. Remove the rice from the stove and allow it to rest for 5 minutes. Stir in the raisins and toasted almonds.
 

Wet…but a nice short ride

This has without question been an odd winter. The temperatures and snow have been fluctuating daily…and somewhat extremely (I think). Yesterday it was frigid, for example, but today it is warm and rainy; tomorrow the temp is supposed to drop again and bring with it more snow. This is something like the third time this winter we’ve repeated this pattern…when you’re on a bike you tend to be more aware of the weather I suppose (rain, incidentally, is my least favorite element to ride in…I’d take snow any day over rain). Anyhow, the rain washed away most of the snow on the streets and I took the Mundo for a short spin tonight. I haven’t been on it for a week or so and whenever this happens it makes me remember why I love that bike so much. Its long wheel base, upright riding position, and heavy weight offer a big cushy ride that I haven’t experienced on another bike.

>Wet…but a nice short ride

>

This has without question been an odd winter. The temperatures and snow have been fluctuating daily…and somewhat extremely (I think). Yesterday it was frigid, for example, but today it is warm and rainy; tomorrow the temp is supposed to drop again and bring with it more snow. This is something like the third time this winter we’ve repeated this pattern…when you’re on a bike you tend to be more aware of the weather I suppose (rain, incidentally, is my least favorite element to ride in…I’d take snow any day over rain). Anyhow, the rain washed away most of the snow on the streets and I took the Mundo for a short spin tonight. I haven’t been on it for a week or so and whenever this happens it makes me remember why I love that bike so much. Its long wheel base, upright riding position, and heavy weight offer a big cushy ride that I haven’t experienced on another bike.

And I Say Again….Brrr

The above photo is a screen-shot of my computer just before I left for work this morning…the thermometer app is displaying that it is 1 degree Fahrenheit (-17C). Yikes. I realize that much of the country, and even the world, has been experiencing a colder-than-normal winter (opposed to last year’s hotter-than-normal summer) but that is damned cold, even by Buffalo standards (but then again, what is normal). It wasn’t a bad ride to work this morning, nor was I terribly cold…other than my fingers which became cold almost instantly through my weak gloves (and thankfully I have only a short distance to go). It was not snowing, the sun was out, and there was no noticeable wind. I was bundled up pretty good and had a scarf over my mouth because it hurt a little to inhale the frigid temp. And this evening on my way home from the health club it was/is a beautiful winter’s night. It was a balmy 17F (-8C), and again clear skies and no wind. The moon is high but not full and it looked beautiful. And as I slowly pedaled and coasted home (actually sweating a bit being fresh from the steam room and slightly overdressed) I thought how there was nowhere else I wanted to be right then but on the seat of my bike on such a beautiful winter’s eve.

>And I Say Again….Brrr

>

The above photo is a screen-shot of my computer just before I left for work this morning…the thermometer app is displaying that it is 1 degree Fahrenheit (-17C). Yikes. I realize that much of the country, and even the world, has been experiencing a colder-than-normal winter (opposed to last year’s hotter-than-normal summer) but that is damned cold, even by Buffalo standards (but then again, what is normal). It wasn’t a bad ride to work this morning, nor was I terribly cold…other than my fingers which became cold almost instantly through my weak gloves (and thankfully I have only a short distance to go). It was not snowing, the sun was out, and there was no noticeable wind. I was bundled up pretty good and had a scarf over my mouth because it hurt a little to inhale the frigid temp. And this evening on my way home from the health club it was/is a beautiful winter’s night. It was a balmy 17F (-8C), and again clear skies and no wind. The moon is high but not full and it looked beautiful. And as I slowly pedaled and coasted home (actually sweating a bit being fresh from the steam room and slightly overdressed) I thought how there was nowhere else I wanted to be right then but on the seat of my bike on such a beautiful winter’s eve.

Beer Can Chicken (aka Beer Butt Chicken)

OK, first I have to admit that this is one of the weirdest recipes I’ve made…but the outcome is really delicious. The chicken meat is moist and the skin crisp…and it has a nice flavor also. It’s a recipe that was undoubtedly developed by some drunk guys at a backyard barbecue. The premise is this: take a full or partial can of beer and carefully “sit” the chicken on it. Place the chicken on a grill with a lid (making a sort of oven) and cook it over indirect heat until done; this also works well in a traditional oven, as these birds were cooked this morning. You can purchase wire racks to help hold the chicken vertical but they are not necessary; if you are careful the bird(s) stand by themselves. As the chicken cooks the beer boils in the can steaming it from the inside-out, and giving the bird a nice flavor. Simultaneously the bird roasts from the outside-in and the skin browns and becomes crisp. I made these for employee lunch today. Everyone seemed to love it; tomorrow leftover meat will be made into chicken salad. Not withstanding, and regardless of how good the chicken is, am I the only one that thinks there is something slightly obscene about this recipe? For a multitude of recipes and apparatus to cook this recipe, click here.

>Beer Can Chicken (aka Beer Butt Chicken)

>

OK, first I have to admit that this is one of the weirdest recipes I’ve made…but the outcome is really delicious. The chicken meat is moist and the skin crisp…and it has a nice flavor also. It’s a recipe that was undoubtedly developed by some drunk guys at a backyard barbecue. The premise is this: take a full or partial can of beer and carefully “sit” the chicken on it. Place the chicken on a grill with a lid (making a sort of oven) and cook it over indirect heat until done; this also works well in a traditional oven, as these birds were cooked this morning. You can purchase wire racks to help hold the chicken vertical but they are not necessary; if you are careful the bird(s) stand by themselves. As the chicken cooks the beer boils in the can steaming it from the inside-out, and giving the bird a nice flavor. Simultaneously the bird roasts from the outside-in and the skin browns and becomes crisp. I made these for employee lunch today. Everyone seemed to love it; tomorrow leftover meat will be made into chicken salad. Not withstanding, and regardless of how good the chicken is, am I the only one that thinks there is something slightly obscene about this recipe? For a multitude of recipes and apparatus to cook this recipe, click here.

5 Quotes and a Short Video from the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King jr.

Image found here.



“Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.”


“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”


“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige and even his life for the welfare of others.”


“Let no man pull you low enough to hate him.”


“Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And he’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over, and I’ve seen the promised land . . . So I’m happy tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man.”

The below clip is only 3 minutes long, and if you’ve never seen videos of Dr. King speak I hope you watch it…powerful, moving…these two words come to mind. To learn more about Martin Luther King jr., or to read or listen to his speeches on line, click here.

>5 Quotes and a Short Video from the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King jr.

>

Image found here.



“Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.”


“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”


“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige and even his life for the welfare of others.”


“Let no man pull you low enough to hate him.”


“Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And he’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over, and I’ve seen the promised land . . . So I’m happy tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man.”

The below clip is only 3 minutes long, and if you’ve never seen videos of Dr. King speak I hope you watch it…powerful, moving…these two words come to mind. To learn more about Martin Luther King jr., or to read or listen to his speeches on line, click here.

Plus de Neige

No I do not have a filter on the camera…it was snowing and blowing so hard today it was difficult to see across the street. This makes it very difficult to ride a bike…and even if one did venture out it would be unsafe on the streets because of low visibility. I don’t get very many Saturdays off of work but I did today. I had planned on running errands on the Mundo…well that of course never happened; I drove instead. That was this afternoon…it’s calmed down a bit now. Currently sitting next to my wood stove with a glass of red wine…comfy. There’s always tomorrow.

>Plus de Neige

>

No I do not have a filter on the camera…it was snowing and blowing so hard today it was difficult to see across the street. This makes it very difficult to ride a bike…and even if one did venture out it would be unsafe on the streets because of low visibility. I don’t get very many Saturdays off of work but I did today. I had planned on running errands on the Mundo…well that of course never happened; I drove instead. That was this afternoon…it’s calmed down a bit now. Currently sitting next to my wood stove with a glass of red wine…comfy. There’s always tomorrow.

Cannellini Bean Soup

Cannellini Bean Soup
Yield: 6 quarts
2 pounds dried cannellini beans
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 ounces diced pancetta
2 cups diced onion
1 cup diced celery
1 cup diced carrots
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon crushed hot pepper
2 teaspoons minced rosemary
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups diced tomatoes
4 quarts chicken broth
Pick through the beans for any stones or debris and place in a bowl with enough hot tap water to cover them. Allow the beans to soak for 1 hour, drain them and discard the soaking liquid. Heat the olive oil in a heavy bottomed pot and saute the pancetta over medium/high heat until it begins to caramelize (approximately 5 minutes). Add the onion, celery, carrots, and garlic, saute for 5 minutes. Stir in the crushed hot pepper, rosemary, salt, and black pepper, saute 2 minutes. Add the beans, tomatoes, and broth, bring to a simmer and allow to cook for 1 – 1 1/2 hours, or until the beans are very tender. If too much liquid evaporates, add more broth or water as needed.

>Cannellini Bean Soup

>

Cannellini Bean Soup
Yield: 6 quarts
2 pounds dried cannellini beans
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 ounces diced pancetta
2 cups diced onion
1 cup diced celery
1 cup diced carrots
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon crushed hot pepper
2 teaspoons minced rosemary
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups diced tomatoes
4 quarts chicken broth
Pick through the beans for any stones or debris and place in a bowl with enough hot tap water to cover them. Allow the beans to soak for 1 hour, drain them and discard the soaking liquid. Heat the olive oil in a heavy bottomed pot and saute the pancetta over medium/high heat until it begins to caramelize (approximately 5 minutes). Add the onion, celery, carrots, and garlic, saute for 5 minutes. Stir in the crushed hot pepper, rosemary, salt, and black pepper, saute 2 minutes. Add the beans, tomatoes, and broth, bring to a simmer and allow to cook for 1 – 1 1/2 hours, or until the beans are very tender. If too much liquid evaporates, add more broth or water as needed.

Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#259), a Few Comments on Winter Biking, and a Scary Incident.

Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#259):
A canvas bag carry an actual book and a virtual book (kindle), a day planner, and various writing implements. Also, a cardboard box containing a foil container with chicken scraps (for the pugs), a jar of peanut butter and a jar of grape jelly (PB & J on whole wheat bread is my favorite breakfast).

A Few Comments on Winter Biking:
Sometimes I think people my age (middle age) think I’m a bit nuts riding a bike as a preferred form of transport even in fair weather, but when it begins to turn cold I believe some think I’m out-and-out bonkers. I often hear things like: You rode your bike today? (their voice raising an octave at the end, emphasizing it as a question). And when it’s really cold and snowy, such as it is today, it sounds more like: You rode your bike today! Emphasizing the word today, almost exclaiming it. Well, the truth is that I still prefer to ride my bike when I’m able…even on a day like today. But then again I’m probably preaching to the choir if you’re reading this. And there are plenty of people who do this, click here, here, here, or here, for a few examples. I’m often asked by non-cyclists if I’m not afraid to ride in the snow. No, I tell them, that it’s fun, but I do ride differently and take certain precautions. Then I’ll ask them a question: Don’t you drive your car differently and take certain precautions when it’s snowy? This is sometimes returned with a smile or blank stare. Besides being keenly aware of the road conditions directly under my tires and the car traffic around me, I ride much slower, brake less (or not at all if it is icy), and if I hit a shiny ice patch or the snow is deep (over the rim of my tire) I stand and put most of my weight on my handlebars (and ultimately the front tire) for better steering. So in retrospect, and to answer the question posed above, no I am not afraid to ride in the snow…but I am a little bit afraid of the people in cars (that do not change their driving habits in the snow) and are on the same roads as me. This bring me to the next topic.

 A Scary Incident
This evening as I was heading to the health club and I took my usual route, which entails going down Allen Street; I’ve posted about biking down this street before. According to the Allentown Association, Allen Street began as a cow path (I’ve heard this story elsewhere, too) and that the village sort of became built around it. This makes sense to me because the street is so narrow; it’s also very crowded with parking on both sides. It’s so narrow–too narrow for today’s vehicles–that often one vehicle has to pull aside a bit to allow the other to pass…but this still doesn’t stop some people from speeding. Anyhow, it is because of the street’s narrowness and congested-ness that I actually like to bike down it…it is sometimes more efficient to be on a bike than in a car; a bike can keep up with traffic at an easy pace, even when riding in the middle of the lane. Anyhow, tonight was a little dicey…the roads were icy but at the same time I was encountering patches of two-inch deep slush patches where I would feel unstable on two wheels. It was during rush hour and there was traffic in both lanes going in both directions. In short, if the bike were to slide out from under me there would be nowhere safe to land. And just as I was thinking I should move onto the sidewalk (pavements to my EU readers) at the next side-street entrance I hear a sound directly behind me like scraaape followed by a ripping clunky sound. At this point I was on the corner of Allen and Park and immediately pulled over (almost dove off the bike)…the car that was behind me (the one in question) kept going like it was nobodies business; he had sideswiped a parked car. Walking my bike back I could see a large scratch down the entire side of the vehicle, the door handle and side mirror were non-existent, and because (I’m assuming) the passing car’s rear bumper caught the front bumper of the parked car, the entire front bumper of the parked car (and it’s cowl) lay in the street. Another car pulled over to survey the damage; both of us in disbelief. No one knew whose car it was. I rode on the sidewalk the rest of the way to the health club and the entire way home.

About an hour later as I pedaled home I saw there were people around the damaged car; it seemed to be a father and daughter. I told the man, who was loading the broken parts into the trunk, what I saw; he was livid. Someone, he told me, left a phone number on the windshield; they may have some info about the accident. I hope so. While we were talking he looks at my bike then motions his hand to the snow as he’s talking and says, you’d better be careful on that thing (my bike), this stuff (the snow) will kill you. I will be fine I told him, that I’m riding on the sidewalk, but what I didn’t tell him was what I really thought: It’s not the snow itself that could be my demise, but it could be someone like the person driving the car that hit his car that could.

Post Script
Earlier in the day on my way to work the snow was really coming down…I wasn’t sure if I should ride my bike or not, but I did. As I was huffing and puffing through the snow I passed two cars stuck in the snow and others with really dissatisfied people brushing and scraping the ice from their windows. I only work about 1 mile from where I live (maybe even slightly less than a mile), so it’s not very far. But on the way it gave me the opportunity the experience a bit of this beautiful winter’s day that I may not have if I drove. It really put me in a good mood; it wasn’t until later that I felt threatened or in danger. So to ask the question once more: Am I afraid riding a bike in the snow? No, I find it fun actually…but I take definite precautions and ride differently. I just wish car drivers did as well.

>Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#259), a Few Comments on Winter Biking, and a Scary Incident.

>

Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#259):
A canvas bag carry an actual book and a virtual book (kindle), a day planner, and various writing implements. Also, a cardboard box containing a foil container with chicken scraps (for the pugs), a jar of peanut butter and a jar of grape jelly (PB & J on whole wheat bread is my favorite breakfast).

A Few Comments on Winter Biking:
Sometimes I think people my age (middle age) think I’m a bit nuts riding a bike as a preferred form of transport even in fair weather, but when it begins to turn cold I believe some think I’m out-and-out bonkers. I often hear things like: You rode your bike today? (their voice raising an octave at the end, emphasizing it as a question). And when it’s really cold and snowy, such as it is today, it sounds more like: You rode your bike today! Emphasizing the word today, almost exclaiming it. Well, the truth is that I still prefer to ride my bike when I’m able…even on a day like today. But then again I’m probably preaching to the choir if you’re reading this. And there are plenty of people who do this, click here, here, here, or here, for a few examples. I’m often asked by non-cyclists if I’m not afraid to ride in the snow. No, I tell them, that it’s fun, but I do ride differently and take certain precautions. Then I’ll ask them a question: Don’t you drive your car differently and take certain precautions when it’s snowy? This is sometimes returned with a smile or blank stare. Besides being keenly aware of the road conditions directly under my tires and the car traffic around me, I ride much slower, brake less (or not at all if it is icy), and if I hit a shiny ice patch or the snow is deep (over the rim of my tire) I stand and put most of my weight on my handlebars (and ultimately the front tire) for better steering. So in retrospect, and to answer the question posed above, no I am not afraid to ride in the snow…but I am a little bit afraid of the people in cars (that do not change their driving habits in the snow) and are on the same roads as me. This bring me to the next topic.

 A Scary Incident
This evening as I was heading to the health club and I took my usual route, which entails going down Allen Street; I’ve posted about biking down this street before. According to the Allentown Association, Allen Street began as a cow path (I’ve heard this story elsewhere, too) and that the village sort of became built around it. This makes sense to me because the street is so narrow; it’s also very crowded with parking on both sides. It’s so narrow–too narrow for today’s vehicles–that often one vehicle has to pull aside a bit to allow the other to pass…but this still doesn’t stop some people from speeding. Anyhow, it is because of the street’s narrowness and congested-ness that I actually like to bike down it…it is sometimes more efficient to be on a bike than in a car; a bike can keep up with traffic at an easy pace, even when riding in the middle of the lane. Anyhow, tonight was a little dicey…the roads were icy but at the same time I was encountering patches of two-inch deep slush patches where I would feel unstable on two wheels. It was during rush hour and there was traffic in both lanes going in both directions. In short, if the bike were to slide out from under me there would be nowhere safe to land. And just as I was thinking I should move onto the sidewalk (pavements to my EU readers) at the next side-street entrance I hear a sound directly behind me like scraaape followed by a ripping clunky sound. At this point I was on the corner of Allen and Park and immediately pulled over (almost dove off the bike)…the car that was behind me (the one in question) kept going like it was nobodies business; he had sideswiped a parked car. Walking my bike back I could see a large scratch down the entire side of the vehicle, the door handle and side mirror were non-existent, and because (I’m assuming) the passing car’s rear bumper caught the front bumper of the parked car, the entire front bumper of the parked car (and it’s cowl) lay in the street. Another car pulled over to survey the damage; both of us in disbelief. No one knew whose car it was. I rode on the sidewalk the rest of the way to the health club and the entire way home.

About an hour later as I pedaled home I saw there were people around the damaged car; it seemed to be a father and daughter. I told the man, who was loading the broken parts into the trunk, what I saw; he was livid. Someone, he told me, left a phone number on the windshield; they may have some info about the accident. I hope so. While we were talking he looks at my bike then motions his hand to the snow as he’s talking and says, you’d better be careful on that thing (my bike), this stuff (the snow) will kill you. I will be fine I told him, that I’m riding on the sidewalk, but what I didn’t tell him was what I really thought: It’s not the snow itself that could be my demise, but it could be someone like the person driving the car that hit his car that could.

Post Script
Earlier in the day on my way to work the snow was really coming down…I wasn’t sure if I should ride my bike or not, but I did. As I was huffing and puffing through the snow I passed two cars stuck in the snow and others with really dissatisfied people brushing and scraping the ice from their windows. I only work about 1 mile from where I live (maybe even slightly less than a mile), so it’s not very far. But on the way it gave me the opportunity the experience a bit of this beautiful winter’s day that I may not have if I drove. It really put me in a good mood; it wasn’t until later that I felt threatened or in danger. So to ask the question once more: Am I afraid riding a bike in the snow? No, I find it fun actually…but I take definite precautions and ride differently. I just wish car drivers did as well.