Caribbean Fried Chicken

Happy Day After Thanksgiving!  Today is Black Friday and I'm at home spending quality time with my two beautiful girls!  I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving.  Mines was really great...just me and my children.  I had a great spread which I will share with you guys later.

I had a wonderful Wednesday afternoon!  The boss surprised everyone and let us go home early on Wednesday.  Woo Hoo!  That gave me more then enough time to finish up my Thanksgiving shopping!  Going through my cook books I ran pass a recipe that I've been meaning to try.  So before I started cooking my Thanksgiving dinner I had to make dinner for the girls and gave this recipe a shot and it was totally the BOMB!!!!  I was doing so many things in the kitchen I forgot to take a picture.  :(  I apologize. This recipe is truly easy and great for something quick to make on those crunch for time days.  I served this with some navy beans and jasmine

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp orange juice
1 tsp dried thyme (you can use fresh thyme)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp dry mustard
1/8 tsp ground allspice
1 tsp cayenne (Optional)
4 boneless/skinless chicken breast (You can use any type of boneless chicken with or without the skin)
2 Tbsps butter

Combine all ingredients except chicken and butter in a small bowl; rub onto both side of chicken.  Heat large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until hot; reduce to medium.  Add butter; heat until melted.  Cook chicken 8 to 10 minutes or until browned and no longer pink in center, tuning once.

Enjoy!


Jill's Comfort Zone

Appetizer Jamaican Beef Patties

Good Morning!!!!  I'm feeling really good this AM!  I'm about to start organizing stuff around my new home!  I'm truly Blessed to finally be in my own space again.  It has been a long/stressful journey for me and my girls but we made it through.  I still have a long way ahead of me but I've made it through the worst part so I thank God for that!!!  I still have tons to unpack and I can't seem to find my cord to my camera so I'm unable to upload my pics at this time!  I still have tons of recipes to share with you guys!

I've made this recipe several times and it's always the highlight on the finger food list!!!  The first time I made this was at my Housewarming party years ago and everyone turning enjoyed it!  Unfortunately, I don't have a pic to share with you at this time but I will be making this again and will be sure to take pics when I do!  Enjoy your Saturday!  ;)

Yields 48 appetizer size patties

1 pk puff pastry (or you can use those Goya frozen disc's.  I use those often)
1 Tbsp Jamaican rum
1/2 ground beef
1/2 c. diced onions
1/2 c. sliced green onion
2 Tbsps diced jalapeno peppers
1 tsp thyme
1/4 c. curry powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp white pepper
1 tsp cayenne pepper (Optional...I like mines spicy)
1/4 c. bread crumbs

In a saute pan, begin to brown the ground beef over medium heat along with the onion, green onion and the jalapenos.  Add thyme, curry powder, rum, salt and pepper.  Combine and cook for an additional 3 minutes, turn off heat, add the bread crumbs and let cool.


Remove the puff pastry from the freezer about 20 minutes prior to using it.  Lay out the puff pastry sheets and cut out 48 circles with a cookie cutter.  Remove the excess dough scraps and using a rolling pin, roll out each circle slightly.

In the center of each dough circle, place a tsp of the cooled meat mixture.  Fold over the dough to form a half-moon shape.  Crimp together the edges with a fork.  Place on a cookie sheet and place in a preheated 400 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. 





Jill's Comfort Zone

Missing My Comfort Zone

Hello All!!!  I truly miss you guys and I'm trying my hardest to get back to sharing my kitchen and my family adventures with you!  This has been a long journey for me and my girls but God is going to see that we are safe and sound soon!  Despite our struggles me and the girls are Blessed!  I'm hoping by the beginning or the middle of October we will be in our new home and I can get back to my Comfort Zone!!!!  My sisters, Sabrina Alexander (R.I.P.), birthday is October 7th and I'm sure she's with me each and every day!  So October is a good month!  I truly miss her so much!  I love you sis!  I've been having a lot of inquiries to why I haven't been posting new food entries for you guys but I will be back in full effect once we are in our new home!  Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts!  Trust me I'm definitely home sick!  LOL!  Our summer has been full of fun, trial and error and now Fall is upon us and I can't wait!!!!  I also would like to thank my friends and family for the support and prayers!  Keep em' coming guys!  Love ya!

Food for thought: Sometimes the dreams that come true are the dreams you never even knew you had.  When life has you questioning which road to take,or which way to go, take a step back, reflect and listen to your heart!  When its hard to stand...kneel!

I've been repeating this to myself since April 2010 and although I've had my break downs I always bounce back once I raise up off my knees!  I hope everyone enjoyed their Summer!  Have a wonderful day!  MUAH!!!!

Love,

Jill's Comfort Zone

In progress>>>>

 Hello my friends!  I know I've been missing in action but I'm in the progress of moving!  I'm waiting on my new place to become available for me to move in and oh boy do I miss cooking!  I've been cooking but keeping it light and sweet...plus I've been dining out too and not enjoying it one bite!  I just need to be in my comfort zone and then it's on!  During this moving situation, God has blessed me with two jobs and one I'm about to depart due to my back situation!  So you won't be seeing any new recipes until I'm settled in my new home.  I'm down about it but it's all good!  I'm going to embrace all the good and weed out the negativity.....

Anyway...stay tuned in June for new recipes!  I miss you guys so much!  Muah!  Me and Tipsy was chilling on the porch today!  

Jill's Comfort Zone

Five-Can Chili

Taste of Home

Another one of my all time favorite quick meals when your pressed for time!  I'm not a big fan of canned foods...don't know why but I just don't do it.  Something about my veggies/beans sealed in a can just doesn't sit right with me.   I do use can tomatoes though.  LOL!  I'm silly like that at times.  I grew up on canned veggies so don't know why I shy away from it now.  I usually buy dried beans, fresh or frozen veggies.  Anyway, we rarely have meatless meals in my house.  I'm a BIG meat eater and I get that from my mom!  One night I didn't have anything in the freezer and I was too lazy to go food shopping.  I don't buy meat from Get Go (a gas station that near by with a mini mart and is affiliated with Giant Eagle) anymore because when I first moved to Pittsburgh I brought a pack of chicken wings from them one time.  When I got home and was preparing to clean them...I open the pack and BAM!!!!  Whew...they were spoiled and I can't believe I couldn't smell that through the package!  That mess stinked up the damn house!!!  SMH!  I was so pissed!  Anyway, I saw this recipe in my Taste of Home magazine and said, "Bingo"!  I always keep cans of tomatoes on hand so all I need to go get was the rest of the items.  I marched down to Get Go to get the rest of the canned goods I needed to complete my meal.  How bad could their canned goods be right?  I pondered over this for about an hour before I said, freak it!  SMH!  We had to eat right?  LOL!  Well this meal was quick, easy and delish!  Nothing was wrong with the canned goods either.  Haha!  I'm a mess...I know!  ;)

Ingredients:
1 can (15 ounces) chili with beans
1 can (15 ounces) mixed vegetables, drained
1 can (11 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed tomato soup, undiluted
1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chilies
*Of cause I added a little salt, pepper and cayenne to this dish! 

In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients; heat through.

Yup...it's that simple!  You can't go wrong when your freezer is on E (empty)!  LOL!  I just served the chili over some long-grain rice. 

Enjoy!

Jill's Comfort Zone

Roasted Parmesan Potato Wedges

Taste of Home

I truly enjoy making my own potato wedges.  I've made different kinds...hot and spicy, herb, etc. and we always enjoy it.  Something quick and easy to make when your pressed for time as well.  I found this recipe in one of my Taste of Home's Magazine a while back.  I've made this before but I used that canned Parmesan cheese instead of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and didn't like it at all!  That canned stuff sucks!  I've tried it on severely dishes like lasagna, baked ziti, etc. and it still gross me out!  So I don't buy that stuff anymore!  Fresh all the way!  That's just my opinion.  I have a lot of friends who enjoys it.  These potato wedges also are good with some chili on top!  Yummy!  I guess my reason for posting this recipe today because I'm actually thinking about making some tonight. 

Ingredients:
4 potatoes
2 tsps canola oil (I always use EVOO)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp seasoned salt (I just use salt and smoked paprika)
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp pepper
*To kick it up a notch add some cayenne pepper!  I almost always do!  I love spicy food!  ;)

Cut each potato lengthwise in half.  Cut each half into three wedges.  In a large bowl, sprinkle potatoes with oil; toss to coat.  Combine the remaining ingredients.  Add to potatoes; toss to coat.

Arrange potatoes in a single layer on a baking pan coated with cooking spray.  Sprinkle with any remaining coating.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes or until golden brown and tender.

Enjoy!

Jill's Comfort Zone

Spicy Chipotle Grilled Chicken

Epicurious.com

So I made this recipe a few weeks ago.  I found this recipe on Epicurious website.  You can click the link to get the recipe.  I won't post the recipe since I didn't really change much in the recipe.  I used dried cilantro instead of fresh, I used boneless/skinless chicken breasts instead of chicken pieces and I grilled on top of my stove instead of using my gas grill.  I do have some pics for ya though!  ;) 

It was raining when I was making this recipe so I had to use my stove top grill and boy did I smoke the whole building up!  LOL!  And because of the spices me and the girls eyes were burning, noses were running and we were choking half to death!  SMH!  Not sure if I need a new stove top grill or what but it was crazy in here last week!  Thank God that my new place I'm moving to at the end of this month have a back porch that's shelter!!!!  I can grill at anytime and don't have to worry about the weather!  WOO HOO!  Thank you Lord!!!! 

I served the chicken with sweet peas, potato salad and Zateran's Red beans and rice.  With the leftover chicken I used it for our salad the next day!  Yummy!

Enjoy!

Jill's Comfort Zone

Chicken and Biscuit Casserole

Sorry readers for not blogging in a few days! I've have a lot going on for the past couple of days! Between working, packing, and doctors appointments I hardly have time to do much of anything else. Well this recipe that I made this pass Sunday was truly delish! I'm not a casserole girl so I rarely make casseroles but this one I tried one evening at my friend, Ciara, house and was truly good. Since she was out of town last weekend, I couldn't get the recipe book from her so I just winged it with help from my cousin, Sylle! She read of some recipes from some of her cook books to me over the phone and I just took a little bit of ingredients from each of them plus what I did remember that was in the one I ate and put them all together! LOL!  The only thing I would change is cutting the chicken into smaller cubes.

Ingredients:
-3 boneless/skinless chicken breast, cut into bite size cubes
-2 cans biscuits
-Can cream of chicken + milk
-Can cream of celery + milk
-Onion, sliced
-Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
-Frozen mixed vegetables
-Bacon, cooked and crumbled
-Salt and pepper, to taste
-Oregano, dried
-Cilantro, dried
-Chicken broth

Preheat oven 375 degrees.  After you've clean the chicken breasts, cut them into bites size cubes.  Place them in a pot of chicken broth seasoned with salt, pepper, oregano and cilantro and boil for about 10 to 15 minutes.  Saute the onions using butter in a saucepan, remove and set aside.  Spray a baking dish with olive oil cooking spray.  Place the chicken cubes and the remaining ingredients except for the biscuits (saving some cheese and bacon to put on top of biscuits) in the baking dish.  Stir everything together real good.  The veggies and bacon was still crispy!  Yummy!  Just the way I like it!

Now place biscuits on top of the veggie mixture. 

Top biscuits with the rest of the bacon and cheese.

Place the baking dish in the oven and cook for about 25 to 30 minutes.  Don't burn the biscuits!  So keep checking on it. 

Enjoy!


Jill's Comfort Zone

Strawberry Chocolate Cake

You know...when I first saw this recipe I frowned! LOL! I mean...microwave cooking isn't my thing and the thought of baking in it frightened me a little! I have to tell you guys this method truly surprised me! I thought the cake would come out rubbery, etc. but it didn't! It was actually moist and stayed moist the next day. I was doing a Tupperware party one weekend and the Host chose this recipe for me to demonstrate! I thought I'd better make one at home first before trying this at the party. I was not trying to get embarrassed! LOL! Looks are deceiving guys because when I took it out of the microwave I was like what the hell!!! To my surprise it was indeed delish and sweets aren't my thing. I've made this at several parties and it's my biggest hit! Tupperware has stepped up their game and made microwave cooking safe and spectacular people! You can check out my Tupperware website for new products or any products seen here that your interested in.  Thanks!

Ingredients:
1 box chocolate cake mix
3 egg whites
1 can strawberry pie filling (you can use cherry pie filling instead)
1/4 cup water
1 tub chocolate frosting
Fresh Strawberries (for topping)
Whipped topping (I made my own)

This is the Heat 'N Serve 8 1/2 cup Oval Container and the Prep Essentials Mix-N-Stor Plus Pitcher.  The other products I used which is posted above are the Saucy Silicone Spatula, Chef Chopper and Micro Pitcher Set.

Lightly spray Heat 'N Serve Container with cooking spray and set aside.  In Mix-N-Stor Pitcher blend cake mix, egg whites, pie filling, and water until well combined.  Pour batter into Heat 'N Serve Container, spreading evenly with Spatula.  Place uncovered in microwave oven and bake for 11-13 minutes at high power.  After 10 minutes check ever minute and remove from microwave when a small area appears uncooked at the center of cake.  Place on a rack and cool 10 minutes before turning out onto a serving plate.  Allow to cool slightly and glaze with frosting.  Serve warm with whipped cream and fresh strawberries.

Enjoy!


Jill's Comfort Zone

T-Bone Steak Toss Up

I love me some steak! I'm drooling now just blogging about them! SMH!  I served Bacon Wrapped Asparagus with them.  Yummy!

Ingredients:
T-Bone Steaks
Red Peppers
Green peppers
Sliced mushrooms of your choice
Onions
Minced garlic
Steak seasoning
Salt and pepper
Butter
Olive Oil cooking spray
Dry Sherry

Seasoning steaks with steak seasoning.  Spray the stove top grill with olive oil cooking spray and grill steaks for 4 to 5 minutes each side.  Remove and set aside. 

While steaks are grilling, melt butter in a large sauce pan and then add the rest of the ingredients except for the minced garlic and dry sherry.  Saute veggies until slightly soften.  Add minced onions and saute some more for about 1 minute and then add some dry sherry and cook until reduced 1/2 way.  Once steak is done, add to the sauce pan and cook for about 5 to 8 minutes.  Serve!

Enjoy!

Jill's Comfort Zone

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

I made these a few times and there truly delicious! Another simple dish and another excuse to firer up the grill! I'm making some tonight but a little different and I'm roasting them in the oven because it's raining outside. I will post it later on... All you need is a bundle of asparagus, a few slices of bacon, salt, pepper and a little EVOO. Coat asparagus with a little EVOO and Lightly season with salt and pepper. Wrap about 3 asparagus with some bacon and throw these babies on the grill for a few minutes turning to make sure you could all sides of the bacon. Remove and enjoy! I serve them with corn on the cob, roasted small potatoes and grilled T-Bone steak that I sauteed with some mushrooms and veggies!  Yummy!

Enjoy!

Jill's Comfort Zone

Baked Whole Coated Chicken

I made this two years ago!  Oh my, talk about delish!!!!  I get tired of making the same old boring dishes and was looking for something different to do with my whole chicken.  My foodie friend, Carol (Little c), told me about this method.  Thanks hun! It's really simple...

Preheat oven 350 degrees.  Clean your chicken How to Bake Chicken.  I posted this link because some people have never baked a whole chicken before and there's nothing wrong with that!  We all have things that we haven't done yet.  Anyway, after you've clean the chicken, pat dry and season as you like.  For me I use different herbs and seasonings from time to time.  Since I was going to coat the chicken with Idahoan's Butter and Herb Instant Mashed Potatoes, I didn't use any herbs. 

I just seasoned the chicken with smoked paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder and cayenne pepper.  Then I cut up some onions, red peppers, and green peppers and stuffed some inside the chicken.  Left some to add to inside the baking dish. 

Then I coated the chicken with the package of Idahoan Butter and Herb Instant Mashed Potatoes. 

Covered the dish and bake for about 1 hour to 1 hour 1/2.  Uncover for the last 30 minutes cooking time and cook until lightly brown and crisp! 

Enjoy!


Jill's Comfort Zone

Baked Hot Curry Chicken Wings

In my world measuring rarely exist! I just can't seem to do it! SMH! But by all means if you really need assistance with any of my recipes that I post without the measurements, please leave me a comment and I will try to give you some guidance. Most of the time when I'm in my kitchen I just pretty work free handed. Never know if I'm going to use this or that...I just eye ball it and keep taste testing until it satisfy my taste buds. Anyway, curry chicken is one of Sabrina's! I think she likes curry anything as long as it's hot and spicy! LOL! This is a dish I make often! This particular night I served the wings with steamed cabbage, white rice topped with some of the curry gravy and corn bread.

Ingredients:

Hot Curry Powder
Garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
Red crush pepper flakes
Chicken broth
Red pepper, sliced
Green pepper, sliced
Onion, sliced
Can of diced tomatoes, drained (optional)
12 Chicken Wings

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. After cleaning the wings, place in a bowl and season with curry powder, garlic powder, S & P, and red crush pepper flakes and toss to coat the wings. Stir in tomatoes.

In a glass baking dish, place sliced veggies in the bottom of the dish, top with wings and pour chicken broth over chicken. Cover dish and cook for about 1 and 1/2 hours to 2 hours. Remove cover, and bake for 10 minutes or until skin is lightly brown and crisp and juices are running clear.

Enjoy!


Jill's Comfort Zone

Sweet and Sour Wings

I haven't made this one in a while and didn't take a picture.  I believe I found this recipe on About.com but not sure.  These were truly good!  As you will see following my blog, I'm a big fan of chicken wings!  The tips are my favorite part! 

Sauce ingredients:
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup water
3 to 4 Tbsps ketchup
2 tsp soy sauce
1 1/2 tsp salt


Marinate 3lbs chicken wings with garlic powder and onion salt.  Coat chicken in cornstarch.  Dip into 3 beaten eggs, then fry in oil, about 1 to 2 minutes until golden.  Place wings in baking pan.  Pour sauce over chicken and bake at 300 degrees for 40 minutes.

Enjoy!


Jill's Comfort Zone

Seasoned Cornish Hens

All week I've been craving Cornish hens for some reason! We had Cornish hens twice this week. Yesterday I tried something different! I found this recipe on allrecipes.com and it was truly delish!

1/2 cup soy sauce
2 Tbsps oyster sauce
3 cloves garlic, crushed
ground black pepper
2 hens
2 Tbsps butter

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large bowl, mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic and pepper. Place hens in the mixture and marinade for 10 minutes. Transfer hens to a med. baking dish, and cover with marinade mixture. Cover dish and bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven.

Remove cover from dish and place 1/2 the butter on each hen. (I melted the butter and brushed it on each hen) Increase oven temp to 350 degrees. Basting frequently with the marinade mixture, continue baking 30 minutes or until exterior of the hens is lightly browned and crisp.


Jill's Comfort Zone

Shrimp and Pasta

I was in a rush to get dinner ready last week so the kids can get in the bed that I forgot to take pics! SMH! So I took some some to work with me the next day for lunch and figured I'd take a mobile shot. The day after food on the go! LOL! I used Emeril's Shrimp and Pasta recipe on Food Network and switched up the pasta because I didn't have linguini on hand so I used fettuccine! Oh man...I'm starting to love pasta more and more. We also had toss salad and fried Tilapia with it. Plus I added a piece a fried chicken to my lunch tray that I made that morning for the girls lunch! LOL! Yes, call me greedy! ;)

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lb. jumbo shrimp
2 tsps Homemade Essence 
2 tsps unsalted butter, plus 2 more
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 Tbsps chopped parsley (I didn't use. Didn't have any on hand.)
1 tsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1 lb. cooked linguini (I used fettuccine)
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup chopped green onions, chopped

Toss shrimps in a med. bowl with the Essence.

Place the olive oil and 2 Tbsps of butter in a large skillet over high heat. Add the shrimps to the pan, spreading them evenly in 1 layer. Cook for 2 minutes then turn over. Add garlic to the pan and cook for 30 seconds. Add the wine, lemon zest and remaining 2 Tbsps of the butter and cook for 1 1/2 minutes. Season the shirmp with salt and pepper and add pasta, crushed red pepper flakes, and green onions, tossing to coat well. Remove the skillet from heat, add the parsley, and toss to combine. Serve hot.

Enjoy!



Jill's Comfort Zone

Roasted Butter & Chive Shrimps

I just love me some seafood!  There's nothing much too this recipe!  All you need is some butter, shrimps, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt & pepper to taste, and some fresh chives.  Clean shrimps, leave the shells on, season with ingredients listed above and marinade in the fridge for about 30 minutes.  Preheat oven 350 degrees.  In a glass baking dish, place stick of butter and place in the oven to melt.  Remove dish from the oven, place shrimps in dish, toss to coat with butter and roast in the oven until pink and cooked through. 

These were served with steamed broccoli, corn on the cob, and Thai Coconut Curry Shrimp over jasmine rice! Yummy!

Enjoy!

Jill's Comfort Zone