For those of you that have been asking about classes, I will be teaching at the Culinary School of the Rockies on January 26, 2009.
In this class titled, “The Art of Gluten-Free Baking,” we will learn how to make classic desserts the gluten-free way. Fun and easy dishes will include chocolate chip cookies, double chocolate brownies, currant scones and apple crisp. I took a class at CSR a couple of weeks ago and had a great time in their gorgeous facilities located in south Boulder.
In other food news, while I don’t celebrate Christmas, I’ve had several requests recently for Christmas entrees. As a result, I’ve come up with this festive, colorful chicken dish. With deep green winter kale and bright red cherries this has Christmas written all over it, though will work well for absolutely any occasion.
Chicken with Cherries and Kale
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast
- 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
- 2 tablespoons shallots, finely chopped
- 1 10 ounce bag frozen cherries
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 bunch kale, chiffonade
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- celtic sea salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the chicken breast and pat dry
- With a mallet or skillet, pound the chicken breast to ¼ inch thickness
- Heat grapeseed oil in a 9 inch skillet over medium heat, then add shallots and sauté for one minute
- Add cherries, cover and cook for 2-3 minutes, until cherries are soft and no longer frozen
- Add balsamic vinegar, then stir in mustard and kale
- Cover and cook over low heat 4-5 minutes, until kale is just wilted, stirring occasionally
- In another 9 inch skillet, heat olive oil over medium high heat
- Add chicken cutlets to the pan and sprinkle them with salt and pepper
- Cook 4-5 minutes on each side, until outside is browned and chicken is cooked through
- Transfer chicken to pan containing cherry sauce and kale
- Allow to marinate over low heat for 2-3 minutes so that chicken absorbs some of the sauce
- Serve
Equipment
With both balsamic and mustard, this chicken dish is tangy and sweet. I served it to my family the night before Thanksgiving and they loved it.
When I asked the boys what to name this dish, my older son said, “Chicken Cherry Kale Amazement.” I guess that says it all since the boys have now entered the picky eater phase. This one is a crowd pleaser and works especially well for little ones. Enjoy.
Iris says
Elana,
I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate the simplicity of your recipes. I compile recipes for clients, and I often print out your recipes (giving you credit of course!) because they work for so many eating restrictions, and don’t require buying a ton of different ingredients. That’s definitely something I need to work on in my own recipes!
Lauren Ingley says
Very yummy!
Jennifer M says
My 3 1/2 yr old who has an aversion to most things green just asked for this dish tonight! YES! I couldn’t be happier. Kale is now part of his vocabulary and I think he likes it more than broccoli. This blog has been a lifesaver for me recently as I’ve had my ups and downs with cooking lately for my allergic (wheat, soy, dairy) family. I know it’s for the better we don’t eat these things, but it’s hard sometimes as you know. Thanks again from your “friend” in Parker :) P.S. I hope to meet you at a book signing soon!
Jane Linkenman says
I created Elana Amsterdam’s awesome creation of Cherries, Chicken and Kale.
I placed the chicken, kale and cherries on a beautiful serving dish…set it on the table. I thought it looked like a creation for a high class resturant. I thought it looked so inviting. Others at home did not. Then…then…each one took their first bite of this new and exciting creation. I hard lots of “yums.” I couldn’t keep up with cutting chicken for my young ones and even my mother, who is very picky…said it was awesome and asked for more.
Thanks Elana for another amazing recipe. This recipe is definately a keeper. It was an easy recipe!!
Bon appetit!!
Judy Harlow says
do you use tart cherries in this recipe?
Lesley Carol Prince says
Since I too love kale, I know I’ll be enjoying the chicken, cherries and kale recipe in the coming winter days. Just as with any food article, one must check for gluten in the Dijon mustard ingredients.
Your blog is informative and fun to read. My thanks to you, Elana and other users who leave valuable, constructive comments.
Carli says
I made this recipe this weekend. It was delicious. However, mine turned out more blue/black than yours did..including my chicken! While its good..you have to eat it with your eyes closed :)
I wasn’t sure what kind of cherries to use, bing or tart. I went with bing, could that have been my error? Maybe I over cooked it??
elana says
Joan,
Thanks for your comment. I don’t have any type of formula for my recipes, just trial and error and a lot of it.
Sorry I can’t be of more help.
Elana
Joan Schiff says
Elana,
I am following a dietary path that includes avoiding milk (including cheese and yogurt but not butter…), sugar, honey and maple syrup and eating all my food as fresh as possible. I can eat gluten and fresh wheat flour as long as I grind the flour myself. I can eat nuts only when I shell them myself. So I can’t eat the almond or coconut flour, but I can eat wheat flour.
I read your sections on ingrediants, but I am wondering if there might be an underlying logic you used in devloping new recipes or translating existing recipes from using wheat flour to using the almond or coconut flours? If so, maybe I can try and translate some of them back since they are dairy and sugar free, but still rely on whole, natural ingrediants.
Thank you for you help.
Joan
elana says
Sal -Thanks for your comment. My forthcoming book from Ten Speed Press will have several scone recipes in it.
Theresa -Thanks for another great comment. There will be several scone recipes in my book.