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Happy 2012! I love the beginning of a new year; it's a wonderful time to start fresh in a myriad of different ways. That's exactly what I had in mind when I was planning our dinner tonight ....................
I wanted something light (I ate a little way too much over the holidays), fresh (I had a few too many sweet treats and heavy foods), inexpensive (I've gone a bit a lot over my budget lately) and simple (labor intensive was not on my docket for today).
Is there anyone out there who can identify? If so, this is the perfect recipe for you! It's loaded with vibrant flavors and delicious fresh, lightly cooked veggies. It's fairly low in fat and calories and if you can find a super sale on red and yellow peppers like I did, it's a very economical dish since you can get by with just one pound of chicken serving four people, quite generously. Other than chopping the veggies, the recipe comes together in minutes and makes great leftovers! What more could you ask for? For me, the perfect prescription for starting the New Year!
P.S. Basmati rice can be a bit finicky and calls for lengthy soaking and numerous rinses in cold water. Most recipes also call for a rice cooker in order to ensure success. I found this method many years ago and it comes out perfect every time................. in the MICROWAVE!! Yes, you heard correctly - I think it's much better than traditional basmati prepared on the stovetop and if you can measure the rice and water, push a button or two on the microwave, you'll have this rice finished before you can even cut up the veggies and chicken for the stir fry!
Cashew Ginger Chicken Stir Fry
4 teaspoons dark sesame oil, divided
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
4 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon Sriracha or chile paste
4 teaspoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 medium yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
1 medium red bell pepper, cut into strips
1 cup diagonally cut snow peas
1 medium vertically sliced onion
1 tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
2 cups hot cooked long-grain white rice, see recipe
¼ cup (1-inch) slices green onions
½ cup salted cashew halves and pieces
1. Combine 3 teaspoons sesame oil and next 7 ingredients (through the cornstarch) in a small bowl. Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add remaining 1 teaspoon sesame oil and 1 tablespoon canola oil; swirl. Add chicken; stir-fry 3 minutes. Remove chicken from pan.
Adapted from Cooking Light January 2012
Super Simple Perfect Basmati Rice
2 cups basmati rice
3 cups water
Place rice and water in a 3-quart microwavable dish (use one with a lid if you have one - otherwise you can cover with plastic wrap). Cook on high, uncovered for 15 minutes or until steam holes appear on the rice (some microwaves are hotter and cook faster than others). Cover and cook on high 5 more minutes. Let sit, covered another 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and serve.
This rice recipe will make more than you need for the above stir fry, but this keeps well and makes wonderful fried rice. Check out this recipe!
Claire Van Allen says
Yum. Another winner.
Debbie B says
i posted a tweet here:
https://twitter.com/purplepanda1966/status/725859610242867200
Johnny Gardner says
This dish looks elegant! I think I can cook this when my friends come to my house. I'm sure they will like this food. Anyway, thanks for sharing this recipe to us. I hope you can share more incredible recipe like this.
Beef Stir Fry
jacquelinetcu2006 says
David and I LOVED this! My only failure was that I didn't serve it immediately, but waited until David got home (about 45 min later). The beautiful bell peppers had lost most of there pretty color, but it was still a huge hit!
jacquelinetcu2006 says
David and I LOVED this! My only failure was that I didn't serve it immediately, but waited until David got home (about 45 min later). The beautiful bell peppers had lost most of there pretty color, but it was still a huge hit!
Simply Tia says
This dish looks so colorful and delicious! If only my stir fry can come out so vibrant looking! Well done.
The Café Sucré Farine says
I'm so glad you tried this and enjoyed it! Thanks for leaving a comment!
Kim says
Love your trick to cook the rice, it's fast and simple. You know what? I ate pretty much the same meal that you presented... except, I did'nt put pepper in my recipe! It's so good and so full of great stuff for us! Have a very good 2012 year!
Kelly Mulcair Registered Nutritionist. Content © 2011 Trinity Nutrition. says
Now this is my kind of dish... gorgeous, fragrant and full of delightful nutrients! I think we all probably went a little food happy over the last couple (?) weeks 🙂 - this is a great re-set. Happy New Year Chris!
Kelly Mulcair Registered Nutritionist. Content © 2011 Trinity Nutrition. says
Now this is my kind of dish... gorgeous, fragrant and full of delightful nutrients! I think we all probably went a little food happy over the last couple (?) weeks 🙂 - this is a great re-set. Happy New Year Chris!
The Mom Chef says
I'm raising my hand at that need to lighten up my eating, but you already knew that.
This look fantastic. I think we're going to have a fun time going through this magazine, no? I bought pounds and pounds of chicken in anticipation. 🙂
Towleskintz says
This was delicious! I was afraid of the hot sauce, so I only used 1/2 a t. And I added water chestnuts and subbed shelled edmame for the snow peas. But you cannot go wrong with this! Thank you so much!
Eliotseats says
Stir fries can be so healthy and yours looks beautiful. It is a great way to start 2012!
France@beyondthepeel says
I'm in shock. Basmati rice in the microwave. I can hardly beleive it. I love all the bright colors in this dish. Perfect for starting out the new year.
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
Happy New Year!
This looks exactly what I should be eating this week. Oh what a week of over-eating and over-indulging! I'm craving vegetables and lean meat.
I love the colours in this one too.
Pacheco Patty says
Delicious! I'm putting this one on the menu, love the bright colors from the veggies, Ginger and cashews in this dish. Beautiful photos 😉
Loveforfood says
Thank you SOOOO Much for these recipes.
Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook says
Looks delicious! Great way to start the year off, vibrant and healthy dish! And I am trying your method for rice, I never get it right.
Happy New Year!
Sandra says
It is vibrant and healthy and yummy! Thank you for the rice recipe, how did you know I needed that?
bellini says
Although I always look forward to the season of excess I am always happy to start anew with healthy dishes. It looks like 2012 has started off with a bang.
Lizzy Do says
Oh, you've inspired me to make a stir fry this week...so beautiful, vibrant and healthy! Delish!!!!
Paula {Salad in a Jar} says
I have a rice cooker I use all the time but when I saw the word "microwave", I stopped in my tracks and took notice. Why have I not done my rice like this before? I assume this works with all varieties, right? Thanks for the tip. The stirfry looks delcicious too.
mia xara says
Best wishes for a blessed New Year, lots of health and happiness!Very colorful dish,full of flavor and lots of crunch..Looks perfect with basmati!Have a great week,XO
Inside a British Mum's Kitchen says
This is an outstanding dish - fabulous way to start the year!! delicious - all the very best to you and your lovely family for 2012!
mary xox
Susan says
I love these type of dishes and it looks beautiful.