Seared Baby Bok Choy with Garlic and Chili Oil

bok choy with garlic and chili oil

Benefits of Bok Choy

One cup  of bok choy has just nine calories  and provides protein, dietary fiber and almost all the essential vitamins and minerals you need. This Chinese cabbage is a nutrient-dense food that offers several health benefits.  Here are my top four:

1. Antioxidants

One cup of shredded bok choy has 34 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin C and more than a full day’s intake of vitamin A. Vitamin C works as an antioxidant in the body, protecting cells from damage by neutralizing free radicals, or unstable molecules that result from vital chemical processes. Bok choy contains lutein and zeaxanthin too, which are antioxidants that protect the eyes and lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration.

2. Strong Bones

In addition to calcium, you need magnesium, phosphorus and vitamin K to build and maintain strong bones. One cup of shredded bok choy delivers at least 3 percent of the recommended daily intake of magnesium and phosphorus, 7 percent of calcium and 26 percent of vitamin K.

3. Heart Health

One cup of bok choy provides 11 percent of the recommended daily intake of both folate and vitamin B-6. Folate and vitamin B-6 remove the amino acid homocysteine from the blood. This is important because high levels of homocysteine increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.   It also has 4 percent of the daily value of potassium, which regulates the heartbeat. The calcium and magnesium essential for bones also play a role in maintaining a healthy heart. Calcium stimulates heart muscles to contract, while magnesium encourages them to relax.

4. Cancer Protection

Bok choy has unique sulfur-containing compounds that may reduce the risk of breast, prostate, lung and digestive tract cancers. These substances may help the body eliminate carcinogens, prevent cells from turning into cancer or alter metabolism to stop the development of hormone-sensitive cancers. One cup of chopped bok choy has 38 milligrams of glucosinolates.

Here’s a quick stir-fry recipe has spicy bold flavor and is an easy side dish to perk up most any meal, while giving you all the benefits that bok choy provide.

Ingredients:

1 Tbs. sesame seeds
4 heads baby bok choy, about 1 lb. total
1 1/2 Tbs. canola oil
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
Sea salt, to taste
1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
2 tsp. Asian chili oil

Directions:

Continue reading

CHICKEN FIVE WAYS

CHICKEN FIVE WAYS

Create these tasty marinades in minutes and combine with 1½ -2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approx. 4 small breasts) for a healthy meal right off the BBQ grill.

Allow time for chicken to marinade for 1-4 hours for maximum flavor.

Southwest Chicken Salad

Southwest Chicken Salad

Southwest Chicken

3 T. Olive Oil

2 clove garlic, finely chopped

1 1/2 tsp. chili powder

1 ½ tsp. ground cumin

1 ½ tsp. dried oregano leaves

½ tsp. salt

Combine ingredients and brush over both sides of chicken to coat. Grill over medium hot briquettes for 8-10 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink, turning once.

Serve immediately or use it to build a burrito or taco salad*

*  Build a Burrito: top warm flour tortillas with strips of Southwest Chicken and your choice of drained canned black beans, cooked brown or white rice, shredded cheese, salsa verde, shredded lettuce, and chopped cilantro. Fold in sides and roll to enclose filling. Heat in microwave on HIGH for 30 seconds or until heated thru or wrap in foil and heat in pre-heated over at 350 degrees until hot.

*  Taco Salad: For a quick one-dish meal, layer strips of Southwest chicken with tomato wedges, blue or traditional corn tortilla chips, shredded romaine or iceberg lettuce, shredded cheese, and avocado slices. Serve with salsa, sour cream, guacamole or a favorite dressing.

 *****

Grilled Rosemary Chicken

2 T. lemon juice

2 T. Olive Oil

2 cloves garlic, finely minced

2 T. minced fresh rosemary

¼ tsp. salt

Whisk together the ingredients and pour into either a shallow glass pan or a gallon size zip-lock bag. Add chicken and coat both sides. Cover and marinate in refrigerator for 1-4 hours.

Grill chicken over medium hot coals 5-6 minutes per side or until chicken is no longer pink in center.

Serve with kale salad or grilled vegetables (see recipes on blog).

*****

Sesame Orange Chicken Skewers

Sesame-Orange Chicken Skewers

½ cup hoisin sauce

¼ cup seasoned rice vinegar

¼ cup sesame oil

¼ cup orange juice

2 T. drained mandarin orange segments

1 tsp. toasted sesame seeds

2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped (or ½ tsp. garlic salt if you don’t have fresh)

In a gallon-sized re-sealable bag, combine all ingredients and mix well. Remove ¾ cup of the marinade for basting.

Cut chicken into strips and place in the bag, marinating for 1-4 hours. Remove chicken and discard used marinade.

Thread chicken onto bamboo skewers (soaked in water for at least 20 minutes to keep from burning). Grill skewers for 10-15 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in the center and juices run clear when cut. Turn skewers once and baste often with additional ¾ cup marinade. Do not baste, during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Serve with steamed white or brown rice and snow peas.

*****

Thai Grilled Chicken

4 servings

¼ cup soy sauce

2 cloves minced garlic ( or 2 tsp. bootled minced garlic)

1.2 tsp. red pepper flakes

2 T. honey

1 T. fresh lime juice

Combine all ingredients but the honey and lime juice in a measuring cup.

Place chicken in a re-sealable plastic bag and pour marinade over chicken, turning to coat all sides. Marinate for 30 minutes to 4 hours.

Meanwhile, combine honey and lime juice in a small boawl until blended and set aside.

Place chicken on grill over medium heat. Brush with some of the leftover marinade from the dish. Discard the remaining marinade.

Grill covered for 5 minutes. Brush chicken with half of the honey mixture, turn and brush with remaining mixture. Grill 5 minutes more or until chicken is cooked through.

Serve with steamed rice, oriental vegetables and fresh fruit salad.

*****

Chicken Ribbon Satay

½ cup creamy peanut butter

½ cup water

¼ cup soy sauce

4 cloves garlic, pressed

3 T. lemon juice

2 T. firmly packed brown sugar

¾ tsp. ground ginger or 1 ½ tsp. crushed garlic (found in a jar at most grocery stores)

½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

sliced green onion tops (for garnish)

 

Combine all but green onion in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat 1 minute or until smooth; cool. Remove garlic from sauce; discard.

Reserve half of sauce for dipping.

Cut chicken lengthwise into 1 inch wide strips. Thread onto 8 metal or bamboo skewers (soaked in water at least 20 minutes to keep from burning)

Oil the grill to prevent sticking. Grill chicken on a covered grill over medium high heat, for 6-8 minutes or until the center is no longer pink, turning once.   Baste with the sauce once or twice during cooking.

Serve with reserved sauce garnished with slice green onion on a bed of jasmine rice.

 return to main menu

Best Orange Chicken ever!

CHINESE ORANGE CHICKEN

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Image

My kids and hubby both give this one two thumbs up!

 

INGREDIENTS

 

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless, chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks

1 cup 2 tablespoons cornstarch, divided

2 large eggs, beaten

3/4 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons sesame seeds

2-3 green onions, thinly sliced

 

FOR THE MARINADE

1 cup chicken broth

1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup distilled white vinegar

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon orange zest

1 1/2 teaspoons Sriracha, (or more, to taste)

1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or ¼ tsp. ground ginger)

1/4 teaspoon pepper

 

INSTRUCTIONS

 

To make the marinade, whisk together chicken broth, orange juice, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, orange zest, Sriracha, ginger and pepper in a large bowl.

In a gallon size Ziploc bag or large bowl, combine chicken and 2/3 cup of the marinade; marinate for at least 30 minutes, turning the bag occasionally. Drain the chicken from the marinade, discarding the marinade.

Heat the remaining marinade in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and stir in 2 tablespoons cornstarch combined with 2 tablespoons water. Cook, stirring frequently, until thickened about 1-2 minutes; keep warm.

Working with 2-3 pieces at a time, dip the chicken into the eggs, then dredge in remaining 1 cup cornstarch, pressing to coat.

Heat vegetable oil in a large saucepan. Working in batches, add chicken and fry until golden brown and cooked through, about 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate; discard excess oil.

Tossed or drizzle chicken with the marinade, garnished with sesame seeds and green onion, if desired. Serve with white rice.

 

Adapted from Damn Delicious

return to main menu