Kitchen Stories- Chicken in Mustard Cream Sauce

We've been cooking a lot of chicken dishes lately, particularly white chicken meat, which has a little less fat and fewer calories compared to dark meat. We are really trying our best to make healthier choices when it comes to our meals. Chicken breast meat has more protein and less cholesterol, so it's the better choice. We like adding it to our salads, or serving it with some roasted or steamed vegetables and we look forward to sharing our chicken recipes with you! 

She Said: Our New Year's resolution to eat healthier meals has been going well so far. We've been eating more fruits and vegetables and we're slowly choosing lean meats over fatty cuts.

she said: Now, we only hope to be successful when it comes to desserts! We both have a weakness for all things sweet and can't resist chocolates, cakes and cookies, but we're really trying our best most especially for the Lenten season.

This recipe calls for skinless chicken breast fillets. The accompanying sauce is a French classic, made with mustard and heavy cream which you can substitute with milk or even plain yogurt. It makes a perfect sauce for pan seared fish and as topping for pork tenderloin too. Serve this with some steamed string beans and rice on the side and you've got yourself the perfect lunch. Enjoy!

Chicken in Mustard Cream Sauce

(adapted from The Pioneer Woman)

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth

1/2 cup heavy cream or substitute with plain yogurt

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon (or 1 teaspoon dried)

coarse salt and fresh ground black pepper

1. In a medium frying pan, heat oil over moderate heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and add to pan. Saute until cooked through, about 10 minutes, turning once. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.

2. Pour chicken broth into the hot pan, cook stirring until broth is reduced in half. Whisk in cream yogurt, mustard and tarragon. Cook whisking until thickened, about 2 minutes.

3. Pour in any accumulated chicken juices into the sauce and mix until combined. Drizzle the sauce over the chicken and serve with steamed French string beans and rice.

This article also appears on PhilStar.com.

Kitchen Stories- Grilled Chocolate Sandwiches

The classic grilled cheese sandwich is our go to for a quick and easy lunch or snack. We often make it at home with different kinds of cheeses and bread. This chocolate variation is a new favorite of ours. You can serve this as dessert after a light meal. So, so very delicious and scrumptious! We hope you get to try it out.

Summer will be soon upon us, and as the heat becomes unbearable in the coming months ahead, we're planning on spending less time in the kitchen by preparing meals that are quick, easy and hassle free. Stay tuned for our Kitchen Stories: Summer Edition!

 
Grilled Chocolate Sandwiches
(adapted from Martha Stewart)

2 large eggs
2 tablespoons milk
4 slices thick cut bread (1/2 inch thick)
4 ounces thin semisweet or milk chocolate bar
2 tablespoons butter
Confectioner's sugar for dusting

1. In a large, shallow dish, whisk together eggs and milk. Set aside.

2. Form two sandwiches with the bread and chocolate. Break the chocolate as necessary to cover the bread without extending over the edges.

3. Dip both sides of the sandwiches in the egg mixture to coat.

4. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Transfer sandwiches to skillet and cook until golden, about 1 to 2 minutes per side.

5. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate. Cut sandwiches in half and dust with Confectioner's sugar before serving.

This article also appears on PhilStar.com.

Kitchen Stories at Aruga by Rockwell

Just a couple of months back, we had the opportunity to experience the best of Filipino hospitality at Aruga by Rockwell's fully serviced apartments. Located within the exclusive Rockwell Center in Makati City, each studio apartment and one-bedroom & two-bedroom suites are designed to make every traveler feel like they are home away from home.

Spacious Living & Dining areas of a two-bedroom suite

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, and with the warm, personal service of the Aruga team making a lasting impression on us, we couldn't wait to be back for more.

Aside from the comfortable beds, one of the parts we liked most about our suite was the fully equipped kitchen complete with an electric stove, microwave, toaster oven, and coffeemaker, among other amenities. In-house guests have the option to prepare their own meals or you can even plan a cooking party with a small group of friends or family.

We didn't get to use the kitchen much during our first visit, so we were excited to be back, and this time we were prepared and ready to cook! A supermarket is conveniently accessible at the nearby Power Plant Mall so shopping for ingredients was a cinch.

She Said: Our Kitchen Stories feature recipes that we prepare and cook at home. I was very excited to cook in Aruga's fully equipped kitchen! Housekeeping services are available round the clock to assist you with every need. They can even do a quick run to the grocery for you if you forget something.

This flavorful chicken recipe is marinated in lots of garlic and olive oil. Serve this family style on a big platter with roasted potatoes and some asparagus for your greens. It's the perfect dish to make for your loved ones this Valentine weekend.

Grilled Marinated Chicken with Oven Roasted Baby Potatoes

6 whole boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 pounds baby potatoes
2 bunches asparagus trimmed and cut into thirds
olive oil
coarse salt and
fresh ground pepper

*Garlic Butter Sauce:

In a sauce pan, melt 1/2 cup salted butter. Add  1 tablespoon minced garlic and cook until tender. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon finely chopped flat leaf parsley.

How To:

1. Cut chicken breast in half so you have about  twelve smaller, thinner chicken cutlets. Salt and pepper on both sides.

2. In a large baking dish or bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons minced garlic, about 1/4 cup olive oil, and white wine vinegar. Add the chicken, turning several times to coat. Let marinate at room temperature for up to 30 minutes.

3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

she said: Whenever we make this dish at home, I'm in charge of scrubbing the potatoes clean and I help in cooking the chicken :)

4. Cut potatoes in half or quarters and place in a baking sheet. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper, then drizzle some olive oil and toss until potatoes are well coated. Spread out potatoes into one layer. Roast for 30 minutes or until brown and crisp.

5. While potatoes are in the oven, preheat a grill pan to medium heat and brush with some oil. Lift chicken from the marinade and grill until browned and cooked through, 2-3 minutes per side. Set aside cooked chicken pieces covered in foil to keep warm.

6. In a non-stick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add asparagus and cook, stirring often, until crisp tender, about 3-4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

7. Arrange chicken, asparagus and roasted potatoes in a large serving platter and serve immediately with warm *Garlic Butter Sauce.

Treat your loved ones for a Valentine staycation this weekend at Aruga by Rockwell! For bookings and inquiries, call 818-0000, or visit www.arugabyrockwell.com.

This article also appears on Philstar.com.

Inspiration Board: Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is coming up! I think this entire holiday is just a big excuse to eat lots of chocolate and sweets in the name of love, but I'm not complaining. : ) My mom is my valentine, and though we don't have any major plans for the holiday, I still think it'd be fun to dress for the occasion. I included tons of pink and red in this inspiration board, which are colors I don't own a lot of, but I love. Hopefully mom and I end up doing something fun together!

Zara Asymmetrical Skirt Jacquard Dress, Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm, Mango Polka-Dot Top, Chinti And Parker Intarsia Hearts Hugs and Kisses Sweater, Valentino A-Line Dress, Mykita Pink Sherbet Mafalda Sunglasses, Kate Spade New York Dear Valentine Heart Studs Earrings, Comme des Garçons x Converse Sneakers, Essie Nail Color in Bump Up The Pumps, Tiffany Charm Bracelet, Clinique Sculptionary Cheek Contouring Palette, Kate Spade New York Cedar Street Large Monday Bag in Cabaret Pink, Lush The Kiss Lip Gloss