Shredded Chicken-Under-A-Bowl Tacos

Chicken underwear? My frying pans don't have lids....so I improvise frequently. I do however have a good set of metal, uncoated, mixing bowls that I frequently use to trap heat/juice/flavor in the pan and  occupant of said pan to ensure the most flavorful food possible.

Like I've said may times: dining options in Kirksville are slim at best. So I cook.

For Shredded Chicken-under-a-bowl tacos you'll need a few simple, wholesome and identifiable ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts 
• 1 tbs Avocado Oil
• 1/2 Yellow Onion (cut into long/thin strips)
• 1 Bell Pepper (red/yellow or orange) (cut into long/thin strips)
• 1/2 Sweet Green Pepper (cut into matchstick size pieces)
• 4 Cloves Garlic (coarsely chopped)
• 2 Sprigs Cilantro 
• 1 Lime (cut into wedges)
• Mission corn tortillas 

Seasoning:

• Garlic powder - 1/2 tsp
• Red pepper flakes -1/2 tsp
• Cayenne pepper - dash
• Chili powder - 1 tsp
• Cumin - 1/4 tsp
• Smoked Paprika 1/2 tsp 
• Salt - dash (used smoked salt if you have it)

Toppings:

• Salsa of choice (I love mango/pineapple based ones)
• Guacamole (use the recipe on this sweet link)
• Crumbled Mexican Cheese (
• Fresh Lime Juice (Hence the wedges)

In a large metal bowl (that you will use to cover the pan later) rub the seasoning mixture onto the chicken and squeeze the juice of two lime wedges over the chicken. If you have time, let the chicken rest for a half hour, if not don't worry.

Bring the avocado oil to to temperature in a large frying pan over medium/high (6/10) heat. Add half the garlic and allow it to begin browning. Increase the heat to high (9/10) and place the chicken in the pan, on top of the garlic, cover with the metal bowl (or lid if you have one) and turn the heat down to low/medium (4/10). Allow the chicken to cook uninterrupted for about seven minutes, then remove the bowl and flip the chicken over, replace the bowl and let it cook for another five.

In the meantime prepare the guacamole, crumble the cheese and select your salsa of choice. Serving the toppings in little bowls and allowing everyone to make their own tacos is fun and oh-so tasty.

Back to the chicken. Remove the bowl and place the whole chicken breasts and half the liquid from the pan back in the bowl and set it off to the side. Turn the heat back up to medium (6/10) and after waiting a moment toss in the peppers, onions and remaining garlic. Here I like to turn the heat up a touch more to get a nice fajita style look to my veggies. Now is the best time to place corn tortillas in the oven, they take on a much better flavor when you heat them up for a few minutes before serving.

While the veggies are cooking, take two forks and shred the chicken breasts apart thoroughly. Once the peppers and onions are cooked (some char is great) and the garlic is real golden brown transfer them to a warm platter (setting the oven to 170 is safe for dishes/food/hands). Put the chicken back int he pan with its juice for just a moment, toss it around to pick up the last of the flavors lingering, then add it to the serving platter.

Share this dish with family and friends, enjoy!

Share and Enjoy!

Check out these Steak Tacos with black beans and guacamole too!

Hickory Smoke Chili

I love a hot bowl of body warming chili in the winter. I hope you enjoy this recipe for my favorite chili, its quick to make, simple, healthy and best of all tastes even better as it rests over night. Make a batch to warm up the house on a cold winter day.

On a recent trip to Texas I picked up some new spices, special salts and new jams and preserves. This recipe revolves around the Hickory Smoked Sea Salt I found while in Fredericksburg, TX on vacation. Check your local grocery or specialty store for a similar ingredient.

This recipe produces a wholesome, mild chili with great undertones of smokey flavor. You may want to adjust the seasoning once everything is together to make it hotter or smokier.

Ingredients:

• 2lbs Ground Meat - lean beef or venison 
• 1 Red Bell Pepper - coarsely chopped 
• 1 Yellow Onion - coarsely chopped
• 1 Head of Garlic - cleaned and cloves crushed, not minced 
• 1 Guernica Pepper - clean and chop into small pieces 
• 1 Can Dark Red Kidney Beans - no salt added
• 1/2 Can Tomato Paste - no salt added
• 1 Can Diced Tomatoes - no salt added
• 1 Can Crushed Tomatoes - no salt added 
• 1tbs Olive Oil

Spices:

• 2 tsp Hickory Smoked Sea Salt 
• 1tsp Smoked Paprika
• 2 tbs Chili Powder 
• 1 tbs Ground Cumin 
• 1/2 tsp Ground Cayenne 
• 1/2 tsp Fresh Ground Black Pepper
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder 

In a large pan heat the olive oil, as it heats mix the seasoned salt, ground pepper, and paprika thoroughly with the ground meat then brown the seasoned meat in the hot olive oil. As the meat browns, add the crushed garlic cloves to the pan. Once the meat is cooked through transfer it to the slow cooker set on high.

Using the same pan, sauté the peppers and onion until translucent and browning. Transfer to the slow cooker and mix well with the meat. 

Clean and open the kidney beans, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, and diced tomatoes. Add each of these to the slow cooker stirring thoroughly after each addition. Finally, add the remaining seasonings and mix well. Allow the slow cooker to cook on high for at least three hours, adjust seasoning to taste and enjoy!

Texas In January

Texas is a HUGE state, and a great location to visit no matter the time of year. I've been here in the heat of August and the mild chill of January. While there are deffinite advantages to a summer time visit, don't discount a winter visit to the lone star state.

Weather
Winter in southern Texas is mild, the farther south the more mild. But you will get temps in the 30's some days so check ahead for the forcast before you pack. While snow is rare, wet weather with rain and cloudy days is very frequent in the winter. Expect highs in the 50's and lows in the 30's.

Make several variations of plans so that a little rain or mist doesn't ruin your outside fun.

Destinations
Don't expect to enjoy water based activities like kayaking, swimming or tubing in the winter. Most of these outdoor type activities are not available in the winter, Lady Bird Lake in Austin is deffinatly a summer destination! Also, the zip lines over Lake Travis are closed for the winter, as are most amusement parks like Six Flags Fiesta Texas (opens Feburary 28th).

BUT there is a wide array of activities perfectly suited to a cool weather visit! Texas is a state steeped in history, rich and waiting for you to discover it. From Spanish conquistadores and missions,  cowboys and Indians to cattle barons,  and art museums Texas is full of year-round adventure.

San Antonio 
San Antonio is a huge sprawling urban center branching out from the downtown area. While not one of my favorite destinations in the great state of Texas, it has some great highlights that are not to be missed, and a convenient little airport and central location between Austin and Houston. 

Fredricksburg
Situated in Texas Hill country is an enchanting little German town home to unique shopping, tons of romantic Bed and Breakfasts, several award winning wineries and intimate gourmet dinning experiences. Recently named on CNN's list of "6 most romantic small towns in America" Fredricksburg, TX is more than deserving of the title. Take a weekend to visit and discover the charm of the Texas Hill Country for yourself.

San Antonio

San Antonio
San Antonio is a huge sprawling urban center branching out from the downtown area. While not one of my favorite destinations in the great state of Texas, it has some great highlights that are not to be missed, and a convenient little airport and central location between Austin and Houston.

Stay
Its hard to choose a hotel in the San Antonio area, there are just so many. Identifying what you want to do during your stay can help narrow down some areas and options.

• Drury Hotels
• I am a huge fan of Drury Hotels, and San Antonio is home to some of the newer additions to this company. The happy hour, fresh breakfast, and clean rooms are wonderful, as well as the kid friendly atmosphere with pools and workout facilities. Also the price is well within budget, without feeling like it. 
• Omni Hotels
• On the pricier end of the world is the Omni Hotel and Resort chain. I have stayed at the Omni at the Colonnade and enjoyed the great workout facilities, indoor and outdoor pool areas as well as the in house bistro. Again, there are multiple Omni Hotels in the area and deciding if most of your activities will take place downtown, or in the outskirts will help you choose the best location. 
• Resorts 
• On another hand, there are a plethora of resorts with lazy rivers, day spas and the sort a short drive into the hills from San Antonio. Some of these can be booked relatively cheaply through PriceLines "name your own Price" option. 

Play
Don't cheat yourself out of some great sights while in the area. Most of these are free or inexpensive activities great for a couple, or a family. San Antonio is not know for its nightlife, nor should it be.

• Historic Mission Trail



Mission Conception 

• Not so much of a park, this trail links four of the remaining missions established by  Spanish colonization of the southern frontier. Established in the 1700's these four missions and the Alamo, formerly known as San Antonio de Valero, make up the surviving medieval outposts of Spanish presence. 
• As this trail takes you through some sketchy areas and neighborhoods I would recommend traveling by car and stopping at each mission to enjoy its history and beauty. No two missions are alike in style, and each has its own piece of history to share.
• The Mission Conception is the best preserved of the four, while the Alamo is the most famous and located in downtown San Antonio.

• The Riverwalk 
• The San Antonio Riverwalk is an impressively built up region along the canalized San Antonio river featuring a huge number of bars, clubs, restaurants, shops and beautiful sights. 
• As long as you stay on the riverwalk you can have open containers and drinks. And yes, there are margarita stands right where you enter.

• The Alamo 
• The Alamo gets it's own dot here. Yes, it is impressive and its story is unique and integral to the history of Texas independence. A must see landmark and bucket list item. 

• McNay Art Museum



McNay Mansion

• A treasure of a small museum housing everything from medieval European art to impressionists, modern sculpture, Pablo Picasso, and contemporary video art and photography. They offer an afternoon sized stroll through a wide variety of time periods and styles. Enjoy the newly expanded galleries and don't forget to stroll the grounds.
• The McNay mansion was originally built in 1927 by Marion McNay, a passionate proponent of the arts. Upon her death, the home was bequeathed to the city of San Antonio to house Texas' first modern art museum. Along with her extensive collection of books, which is the base of the art library housed here, she also dedicated a large portion of her fortune. 
• Admission is $10 for adults, Kids under 12 are free, $5 for students (13+), active military and seniors (56+). 
• Closed on Mondays, the museum opens at 10am all other days of the week. 

• Brackenridge Park 



Japanese Tea Gardens

• Home to the Japanese Tea Gardens, the San Antonio Zoo and the Sunken Garden Theater Breckenridge Park offers a whole day worth of entertainment. 
• Japanese Tea Gardens. This spot is picturesque no matter the season!
• San Antonio Zoo. The animals are more active in the cooler weather, moving around and not hiding from the blazing sun in their dens. 

Eat
I love food, you can tell from my Yelp account that I go out a lot, and love to add to the culinary conversation. Cooking and eating are a passion of mine, and here I give you a short list of the places that I am in love with in San Antonio area.

• Mariscos El Bucanero



Maricso Pina

• Don't be scared. They offer traditional Mexican seafood with live bands, bright decor and great drinks at low prices. The ceviche is fresh, there are tostadas and four sauces instead of chips and salsa (green isn't hot), the drinks are fresh and strong, and they even offer a small number of "American Dishes" for the faint of heart. 
• Get the Marisco Pina, and love your life. Seafood stew served in a hulled pineapple with fresh chunks of pineapple and broiled to crisp the cheese on top. This beast is easily shareable and served with rice, lettuce and tomatoes on the side. 
• Guacamole is actually made fresh table side and is a generous, super flavorful portion. 

• Aldo's Restorante Italiano



Beef Carpaccio 

• Don't get put off by the reviews noting the chilly service. They offer traditional Italian fare (not spaghetti and meatballs) that is worth putting up with a less than ecstatic waiter. 
• Situated in a converted home, Aldo's is visually pleasing with trees wrapped in lights, a beautify entryway and closed-in wrap around porch seating area. There is a main dinning room, but I preferred the intimacy and unique style of the porch seating areas. 
• Enjoy fresh bread with oil and garlic as you wait for the beef carpaccio and sip your choice of wine from from the extensive offerings. 
• The portions are sharable, and there is no extra plate fee here. 

• Kirby's Steakhouse 



Potato crusted calamari 

• Ranked #4 on about.travel's "Best Steakhouses in San Antonio" you cannot miss this gem if having a steak in Texas is on your bucket list too. 
• An intimate setting, great atmosphere, private party rooms, even private booths with curtains, full bar and dinning room. This restaurant is the place to go for a nice evening, and some pricey indulgence. 
• You are going to pay for culinary perfection, BUT they offer a FREE APPETIZER for YELP users (up to $14). I recommend the potato crusted calamari, not its not squid covered in mashed potatoes, they use a potato flour that gives a great crispy outside without imparting any unwanted weight or oily taste. Served with a rich, garlic tomato sauce. 
• The 18oz mesquite cold smoked ribeye is my favorite item on the menu, an absolute treat  don't pass it up for a more expensive filet minion. Bask in the glory of a professionally prepared, aged, smoked and rested steak. 
• Desert is also a must, the creme brûlée is to die for.

• Pho Cong Ly



Pho Ga with all the fixin's

• Feel like something lighter? Looking for lunch? Try my favorite Vietnamese restaurant in San Antonio. This restaurant has been here forever, living quietly in a strip mall, its the place that locals know about and rave about. 
• Enjoy a hot bowl of pho (soup), or a fresh vermicelli dish (thin noodles). Ordering by the numbers is perfectly acceptable and encouraged. The waiters will chat with you if you ask them how to pronounce the Vietnamese words, but don't worry, the menu is in English too. 
• They also offer Chinese food for the less adventurous in your party.