20 February 2008

Ben's Chicken Dish.....Taste & Create

I love to participate in this event. It is the brainchild of Nicole from For the Love of Food. We are paired with another food blogger, browse through all their delicious recipes...choose one dish..then blog about it. It is always hard to choose just one dish. I love this event because we can showcase someone else's blog and all learn something new from each other.

This month I have been paired with the industrious Ben from What's Cooking . Ben grew up around food, he says, " His family owned a restaurant in Mexico City for almost 40 years. His specialty is Mexican food but he loves to cook just about anything" ...duly noted. Here in Canada most Mexican restaurants have what we consider typical fare and not the authentic flavours. Once in a while we come across a real gem, but, for the most part the restaurants only skim the surface of truly authentic Mexican cuisine. I have longed to travel to Mexico and take part in a cooking class (or two). There are several to choose from that I know of that peak my interest. Mexican Home Cooking with Chef Dona Estela in Tlaxcala , a two hour drive from Mexico City or at La Villa Bonita with Chef Ana Garcia in Tepoztlan, one of Mexico's "Pueblos Magicos" (magical villages) also about 45 minutes from Mexico City. Another choice would be at Arcos Del Atascadero Bed & Breakfast in San Miguel de Allende at Mexican Cooking Vacation . Maybe I will get there one day yet :D

In searching through Ben's blog it was very hard to decide which recipe to choose for the Taste & Create event. If you get the chance certainly have a long visit. One dish that stood out for me for it's uniqueness was the following chicken dish.

Ben says, "For a couple of years now I have been making this dish at least once a month. I first saw the recipe in a morning talk show in Mexico City and I knew I had to try it. There are many dishes in Mexico that combine spicy and sweet flavors and this one does so deliciously. The secret is in the sauce." You can view his original post and recipe here .
I served this chicken dish with my version of Mexican Rice and steamed broccoli. This recipe will knock your socks off!!! At the end I blitzed the sauce in the blender for just a moment. The secret is definitely in the sauce. It has just the right amount of heat to let your taste buds tingle. I hope I did you proud Ben :D

As Ben says, "As always, I encourage you to be creative when cooking your food, which is the best part of the day. Buen provecho!!!"

**Chicken in Pear Sauce**
4 skinless and boneless chicken breasts
3 pears diced
½ cup sour cream
1 – 2 chipotle adobado peppers
½ onion chopped
2 garlic cloves chopped
olive oil
salt
pepper  and salt

The original recipe called for grilled chicken breasts, but you can use your oven to cook the chicken. This part depends on how you like your chicken. Just remember that the pear sauce is very flavorful and rich. I myself like to grill or broil them with just enough salt and ground pepper for flavor.
For the sauce:

Sauté onion and garlic in a saucepan.Add pears and chipotle peppers and stir constantly.When the pears start to ooze, add the cream, stir, lower heat and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes. Add salt if needed. Cover chicken breasts with the sauce and serve.
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12 comments:

  1. The secret was definitely in the sauce Ben!!!!!! I loved this dish!! And yes I am clever... or just observant :D

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  2. I just found Ben's blog not long ago, and I love it!! This recipe sounds so good and original!

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  3. Yay! This looks great!
    I love Ben and his Mexican blog.
    I think I'm going to try my hand at tortillas this week.

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  4. Ben makes great recipes and videos how to make the recipes. Great choice Val.
    P.S. You've been tagges for a Meme!
    http://kopiaste.blogspot.com/2008/02/meme-food-for-gossip.html

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  5. Hi Val,
    This is such a fun event, I should join in when I have more time. Esp since I use a lot of recipes off other people's blog (including yours). Why am I not surprised that you chose to make a chicken dish, I know you love your chicken ;-)

    Sydney doesn't have many good Mexican restaurants, but recently, there have been a few authentic ones opening up near where I used to live. One that I went to was called "Flying Fajita Sistas", it was really good. I would join you at the cooking classes if I could :-)

    x Nora

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  6. This sounds really interesting. I had thought about pairing chicken and pears. Certainly sounds worth a try!

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  7. This recipe sounds fabulous! Can't wait to give it a try! Love the idea of pear and chipotle together!

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  8. I love4 Ben's blog as well Deb. I think I will try sopas Emiline. I will try and do the meme ASAP Ivy.I love this event Nora...and no you shouldn't be surprised that I chose chicken..I live on fish & chicken.Thanks Gretchen and "Half" for your kind words :D

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  9. Oh wow that looks interesting! I love peras but it never occured for me to mix with chicken and spices.

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  10. The pear sauce sounds really interesting. Bookmarked to try.

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  11. Taste and Create sounds like fun!!! You were lucky, Val! Ben is soooo sweet and his dishes are soooo hot ;-)

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  12. Great pairing...& with Ben! What fun! Love his blog...had bookmarked his Mexican chicken lasagne some time back.
    I'm lagging behind on 2 meme's:0(...

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Welcome to my home. Thank you for choosing to stay a while and for sharing our lives through food. I appreciate all your support, comments, suggestions, and daily encouragement.

Val

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