Queen Esther's Chicken This is an incredible recipe! I found it through www.jewish-food.org and must share it with you. My bible study group had a "Purim feast" while studying the book of Esther ~ and everyone went nuts over it! Trust me, even though it seems to contain a strange mixture of ingredients ~ it is wonderful. The original recipe used whole chickens and the mixture for a stuffing, but I found this way much easier and better for a buffet! You will need: 2 pounds chicken (I used about 8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts) 1 tablespoon oil 1 large onion, peeled and thinly sliced (I used Vidallia) 2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed 1 cup pitted and finely chopped prunes 1 apple, cored and chopped 1 cut finely chopped dried apricots 1/2 cup raisins 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground saffron, dissolved in 2 tablespoons hot water (or use turmeric) 1 teaspoon sugar 1/2 cup orange juice Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Rinse chicken pieces with cold water, pat dry. Arrange chicken in large casserole dish. Mix all other ingredients together. Spread mixture over chicken so it is thoroughly covered. Cover with foil and bake for 1 and 1/2 hours. Time may differ with ovens ~ so check & baste occasionally. Serve rice on the side. Fresh Blueberry Pie Tanya sent me this recipe last week ~ I made it ~ and it was gone in two days! It's so refreshing ~ perfect for these humid, hot days! You will need: 8 oz package Cream Cheese, softened 3/4 lb of powdered sugar 16 oz Cool Whip 1 pint fresh blueberries 1 large graham cracker pie crust In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing and scraping the sides of the bowl until mixture is smooth. Add whipped topping and continue to mix until well blended. Stir in the blueberries and mix well. Pour into pie crust and chill before serving. |
