Monday, May 19, 2008

Chicken with Grapes and Couscous



The first time I saw Rachael Ray make this dish on her show 30 Minute Meals, I just HAD to try it. I mean, who puts grapes in their savory dishes? And how in the world does the grainy mustard figure into the taste? I finally gave it a try, and I was pleasantly surprised- it was quite tasty!! Mr. U liked it a lot and he was so sure that grapes in the dish would be horrible!!!

Here's the recipe as it is from Rachael Ray. Below are any changes that I made.


Vicki's Favorite Chicken with Grapes and Couscous

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
1/4 cup all-purpose flour, eyeball it
2 pounds chicken tenders
1/2 cup white wine, eyeball it
2 1/2 cups chicken stock (available on soup aisle in paper boxes), divided
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup grainy, stone-ground mustard
1 1/2 cups, about 1/2 pound, seedless red grapes, halved
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
2 cups couscous

Heat a large skillet over medium to medium high heat; add 2 tablespoons
extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan, and 2 tablespoons butter to the pan.
Place flour in a shallow dish. Season chicken with salt and pepper then dredge the
tenders in flour and add it to the pan. Cook chicken 7 to 8 minutes until browned.
Add wine and scrape up browned bits as wine cooks down and bubbles, 30 seconds.
Add 1/2 cup stock to skillet. Combine cream and mustard and add to stock. Add
grapes to the pan and turn chicken and grapes to coat and combine with the sauce.
Simmer 5 minutes over low heat.

Bring remaining 2 cups chicken stock and fresh thyme to a boil in a small pot. Add couscous. Put a tight fitting lid on pot and remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.

Serve tenders and grapes on couscous.



My changes...
- I do not cook with or drink any alcohol. I substituted chicken broth for the white wine. (You can find more alcohol substitutions here.)
- My grocery store did not have fresh thyme this week, so I used about 3/4 teaspoon of dried thyme instead.
- I did not use heavy cream. I substituted with half and half.


UPDATE: We had some of this leftover and Mr. U ate it the next day. He said he did not care for it as a leftover meal because the grapes got kind of mushy. Just in case anyone wondered... :)

6 comments:

Donna Kay said...

This sounds yummy!!! I love dishes like this - will definitely be giving it a try - thanks!!!

Donna Kay said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ms. Alfreda E. Neuman said...

I'm just curious? I have noticed that when you post a recipe that contains alcohol, you make such a big deal about how you don't drink or cook with alcohol. Why not just make the substitution and be done with it? I'm not trying to be snide or start an argument. I'm a Christian also (Anglican) and I just don't understand.

Mrs. U said...

Ms. Neuman,
I shared the recipe from Rachael Ray and it calls for white wine. Some people may prefer to use the white wine. I share the substitution for those who do not use alcohol.

His,
Mrs. U

Tori Leslie said...

Hmmm, that looks yummy!
Thanks for the recipe. I'll have to try it.

Tammy ~ Country Girl at Home ~ said...

This has absolutely nothing to do with the kitchen, but I found your post through someone else's and I just wanted to say hi.

We have alot in common as a homeschooling family, adoptive family (son from Korea), and passionate about our homes and children!

I'd like to invite you to my blog. I will be sharing more about my family as time goes on.

Your daughter is just beautiful!

How blessed we are!

Have a great Tuesday!
Tammy

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