Chicken Spezzatino

I am a Giada De Laurentiis fan...in case you did not already know.  This recipe is based on her recipe for terrific Italian Chicken Stew.

Marietta's Chicken Spezzatino

serves 5

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 celery ribs, chopped

1 carrot, peeled and chopped

1 small onion, chopped

1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper, plus more to taste

14 1/2 ounces chopped tomatoes, undrained

14 ounces reduced-sodium chicken broth

1 t dried basil

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 bay leaf

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

2 boneless skinless chicken thighs 

15 ounces kidney beans, rinsed and drained

Sauté celery, carrots and onion in a large saucepan/stockpot in oil over medium heat until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in salt, pepper, tomatoes, broth, basil, tomato paste, bay leaf, and thyme.

Add chicken thighs and press them down to submerge under the liquid and bring liquid to a simmer.

Reduce heat and gently simmer the chicken, turning over often for about 30 minutes, or until chicken is almost cooked through.

Add kidney beans and simmer for 10 more minutes, or until chicken is cooked all the way through.

Remove chicken from saucepan and let cool 5 minutes. Shred chicken or cut into bite sized pieces. Discard bay leaf and put chicken pieces back into stew and bring back to a simmer, adding salt and pepper to taste.

WW points: 7 per serving

Balsamic barbecue sauce

If you've never tried making your own barbecue sauce...this one is from Giada deLaurentiis and it's excellent for chicken or steak.  Try it, you'll like it!

Balsamic Vinegar--"aceto balsamico"
Image source: Wikimedia

1 cup balsamic vinegar

3/4 cup ketchup

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 garlic clove, minced

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan and stir until all the ingredients are incorporated and the mixture is smooth. Simmer over medium heat until reduced by 1/3, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/chicken-or-steak-with-balsamic-bbq-sauce-recipe.html?oc=linkback

Note:  This is a great barbecue sauce for Easy Barbecued Chicken Thighs  which was posted in this blog on July 11, 2014.

Skinny Shake

This beverage is a great substitute for a real milkshake when you are watching your waistline.  It's thick,creamy, and very satisfying!

Image source: Wikipedia

Skinny Shake

2 servings

3/4 cup vanilla almond milk, unsweetened

1/3 peeled ripe banana

15 ice cubes

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

Combine all ingredients in a blender; process until smooth. Pour into a glass, add a straw, and enjoy!

WW points/serving: 2