Firecracker Chicken

[nverland]

Firecracker Chicken
Yield: 4-6 servings Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 1-hour Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients

Chicken:

2-4 tablespoons canola oil
3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds)
Salt and pepper
1 cup cornstarch
2 large eggs, beaten

Sauce:

1/3 cup hot sauce (like Frank's brand for hot wings, for instance)
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon water
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. While the oil is heating, cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. Season with salt and pepper. Place the cornstarch in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. Put the chicken into the bag with the cornstarch and seal, tossing to coat the chicken. Whisk the eggs together in a shallow pie plate. Dip the cornstarch-coated chicken pieces in the egg and place them carefully in a single layer in the hot skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes and then flip each piece over to cook on the other side until nicely golden but not all the way cooked through. Place in a single layer in a 9X13-inch baking dish and repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.
Mix the sauce ingredients together in a medium bowl and pour over the chicken in the baking dish. Bake for one hour, turning the chicken once or twice while cooking to coat evenly with sauce. Serve over hot, steamed rice.

Notes

This dish packs a bit of a kick and depends mightily on what type of hot sauce you buy. Apparently, if you buy the buffalo flavor it's a bit more mild and less spicy. Also, you can cut down on the sugar by 1/2 cup from the original recipe. If you really want to minimize the spiciness, you can consider adding that extra 1/2 cup back in. Either way, the spicy/sweet combo is delicious!

Greek Pork Chops with Potatoes

[alexcat]

We had this the other night and LOVED it. The sauce would be good over pasta or chicken as well.



Greek Pork Chops with Potatoes
Level: Easy
Total: 40 min
Active: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
1 1/4 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
4 boneless pork chops (3/4 inch thick; about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 1/2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/4 cup dry white wine
12 pitted kalamata olives, halved
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill

Directions:
1. Put a baking sheet in the oven and preheat to 475 degrees F. Toss the potatoes with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Spread out on the hot baking sheet and roast, flipping halfway through, until browned and tender, about 25 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, make 3 shallow cuts in the fat on the side of the pork chops to prevent curling. Rub the pork with 3/4 teaspoon oregano and season with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork and cook until just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove to a large plate.

3. Add the tomatoes, garlic and remaining 1/4 teaspoon oregano to the skillet. Cook, stirring, until the tomatoes soften, about 2 minutes. Add the wine and cook until mostly dry, 1 to 2 minutes. Add 1/4 cup water and cook, lightly crushing the tomatoes, until slightly thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the olives, sugar and any juices from the plate of pork; season with salt and pepper.

4. When the potatoes are done, sprinkle with the feta and let soften for a minute. Sprinkle with the dill and gently toss. Divide the potatoes and pork among plates. Spoon the tomato sauce over the pork and drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.