A Homemade Life: Cider Glazed Chicken

You guys, it's been a whole year since we were introduced to Baby B.  Can you believe it?  My kid brother managed to survive a whole year with a baby.  And Baby B managed to survive a whole year with my kid brother!

Last month we headed to their new house to celebrate the momentous occasion.

One thing I can say about my family, we certainly know how to throw a party!  There were a ton of people there, and a ton of good food.  And of course, super cute decorations, featuring bright pinks, yellows, and highlighted with lemons.

Thatkid ended up with almost as many presents as the birthday girl himself.  Including a bubble blower, which he used to entertain his cousin.  She loves bubbles.  And based on my limited experience, she's not alone.  I have yet to meet a kid who didn't love bubbles.

Unlike most kids, Baby B was not at all impressed with her first taste of cake.  I have a feeling it had more to do with the fact that every guest was crowded around her, watching her and singing.  Because who doesn't love cake?

I have to brag for a moment - our gift was a HUGE hit.  I've already mentioned that I think Rockabye Rockers make great gifts for one year olds.  Baby B agreed.  She saw it sitting with her presents, crawled over and grabbed it, dragging it around the room with her.  She didn't figure out the rocking part, but was delighted with a giant stuffed animal she could use as a walker.

Surrounded by friends and family, we took the opportunity to pawn off our kids on others for most of the party, but we still managed to get a family shot before heading home.

My biggest recommendation for new parents is one I gave to Thatbrother and UDubb - be flexible!  Babies mean you need to be adaptable.  Because they are constantly throwing you for a loop.  Like refusing to eat their cake.  Adaptability is a virtue that extends to more than just child-rearing though.  I use it when I see a great fish recipe.  Because I do not do fish.  But many recipes can be adapted to use chicken instead.  Which is what I did when I saw Wizenburg's Cider Glazed Chicken.  It's not a genius adaptation.  The first pan-cooked chicken I made was a Cooking Light apple cider chicken.  It was part of my standard repertoire.  This isn't too far removed, except it was missing the bacon and the cider was reduced to a glaze.  Apples and chicken work really well together, and this glaze is a really sweet addition.

Cider Glazed Chicken (Adapted from A Homemade Life)

1 Tbsp unsalted butter

1 shallot, peeled and halved lengthwise

2 cups fresh unfiltered apple cider

4 chicken breast fillets

salt

1/2 cup heavy cream

1. Combine butter, shallots, and cider in a heavy saucepan.  Bring to a simmer over medium high heat.  Simmer for 5 minutes.  Remove and discard the shallot.
2. Place the chicken in the pan.  Spoon a bit of liquid over them and cook for 6 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Remove chicken from pan and keep warm.
3.  Raise the heat ot medium high and add a punch of salt to the pan.  Simmer until the liquid is reduced by two-thirds.
4. Reduce the heat to medium and add the cream.  Boil, stirring frequently, until the mixture darkens to a pale golden caramel and is reduced by one third to one half.
5. Place the chicken on 4 plates and top each with a spoonful of sauce.  Serve immediately.

Babies and Bowls: Carnitas Bowl

I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend.  As usual it marks the descent into madness around these parts, starting early Saturday morning and continuing into November.  I'll update about the race portion of the weekend on Sunday, but the other highlight of the long weekend was getting to spend time with Baby B.

Thatbaby and I made several visits to our cutest little family member.  I had completely forgotten what it feels like to hold a baby that actually fits in your arm, as opposed to Thatbaby who wants to be held all the time, but takes two arms and a forklift to carry around.  At one point I was holding Baby B and balancing Thatbaby on a knee as we sat around the table talking to Thatbrother and UDubb.

And Thatbaby is adorably smitten with his new cousin.  He wanted to watch her, to touch her, to hug her, and he spent a great deal of time singing her his new favorite song.

We came home on Monday and swept right back into the swing of things, a birthday party Monday night and a very eventful weekend on the horizon - I think we have at least 6 events planned for those 2 days!  The fall rush means easy dinners abound around these parts.  Because there's just no time for anything else.  And repurposing leftovers is a big help.  This is especially helpful when you make a big crockpot full of carnitas - of which there is always leftover.  For nights like that, it doesn't get easier than throwing some carnitas over some rice and beans.  This also makes an excellent "next day lunch" which is one of my favorite things to do with leftovers.

Carnitas Bowl

3 cups cooked brown rice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon orange zest (lemon or lime works too, but as I've said before, having an orange tree in the backyard means using lots of oranges)
2 cups cooked black beans
2 cups pico de gallo
2 cups carnitas
1 cup shredded Cheddar
1/2 cup sour cream
2 green onions, chopped

1. Combine rice with cilantro and orange zest.  
2. Place rice in bowls and top with black beans and half of the pico de gallo.
3. Top the beans with carnitas and remaining pico de gallo.
4. Top with cheese, sour cream, and green onions.