Chili Rojo de Pollo

Want to take the ice out of winter? Try this easy crock-pot delight. Here's a recipe for a cumin spiced chili, inspired by folks at my awesome church:

6 chicken thighs or breasts, boned, skinned, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 garlic cloves, mashed or finely chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, diced and seeded
2 cans of diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon oregano leaf
1 teaspoon chili powder
Dash of sea salt
¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes
Dash of Tabasco sauce (optional)
2 cans great northern or kidney beans, rinsed and drained
I can corn, drained or 2 cups frozen corn
2 Tablespoons of chopped cilantro.

In a skillet sauté the chicken, garlic, onions, and bell peppers in the heated olive oil, until onions are clear, no more than 10 minutes. Transfer the cooked items to the crock-pot, and add the remaining items (may add the fresh cilantro in the last half hour of cooking). Stir, cover, and cook on LOW 4 to 6 hours. Serve over rice or with cornbread. Serves 4 to 6 persons.

What gets a chili to dance to mariachi music? Some like it hot with red peppers, yet I think the guitars strum when one tosses cumin into the pot. The cumin scent dazzles your nostrils, which gets the taste buds salivating in your mouth. Can you hear the trumpet fanfare?

Moreover, God packed nutritional benefits into the Cumin Seed. Cumin is a terrific source of iron, so good for the hemoglobin and for energy. Cumin also sparks pancreatic enzymes that lead to better digestion. It may also have detoxifying anti-cancer properties. To read more about the research on benefits and nutritional analysis of cumin, go to World’s Healthiest Foods.

Chicken with Orange-Sage Sauce

3 Tablespoons butter, at room temperature
1 Tablespoon dried sage or 3 Tablespoons chopped, fresh sage
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 1.25 lbs)
1teaspoon sea salt, divided
½ teaspoon black pepper, divided
1 Tablespoon of oil
1 ½ Tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup of orange juice
3 Tablespoons heavy cream

Beat together butter and sage in small bowl until smooth and blended. Sprinkle chicken with 3/4 teaspoon sea salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches if necessary, add chicken to the skillet; sauté about seven minutes per side or until lightly browned (170 degrees). Remove to a warm platter.
Add sage butter to warm skillet; stir with wooden spoon to melt and loosen any browned bits from bottom of skillet. Whisk in flour until smooth. Place the skillet over a low heat setting. Cook, stirring constantly for 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually pour in the orange juice, stirring constantly; cook 2 to 3 minutes, until thickened and bubbly Stir in remaining ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper and the heavy cream; heat.
Spoon sauce over the chicken and serve. 4 servings

FISH or FAST?

On this First Friday of Lent, I ponder what fast I should undergo.

Jesus indicates fasting is an expected discipline in life. He said,

"When you fast (not IF you fast)
put on oil on your head and wash your face,
so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting,
but only to your Father, who is unseen,
and your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:17-18)

Now the oil on the head is a Middle Eastern custom, but there remains the fast. What do I abstain from this Lent?

Our church gave a handout about fasting. I learned five ways to fast:

1. Supernatural fast: no food or water. Moses did this on Mt. Sinai in God's presence. Jesus went into the wilderness forty days, only feeding on God's Word.

2. Daniel's fast: While in Babylonian exile, Daniel and friends fasted twenty-one days, restricting his diet to the traditions of his people. To do this fast, I could eat Bible foods, fresh fruits, fresh veggies, water or juice, cereals, flat breads, cheese, poultry, or fish. No pork or beef. Try to eat only two main meals per day.

3. Limited fast: I know a friend who gave up chocolate for Lent. That would be hard for me, so it's a possibility. It could be cans of pop for others. Or give up fast food. Since we are tight on our budget, we rarely go out to eat.

4. Drink Juice fast: This to me would be a challenge as I like to chew. But in this one you drink juices, water. I guess vegetable juices are in the mix as well.

5. Some folks do behavior fasts, which I guess is more spiritual that gastrointestinal. Some restrict pleasurable activities like movies, TV, or reading pleasure books.Others give more time for other spiritual activity. The church handout recommended a tithe of ten percent of each day, which is two hours, 24 minutes per diem. This could be ministry or Bible meditation, or family devotions, or prayer meetings.

So tell me, when you fast, how do you do it?