Is there a dishwasher god out there? Because if there is, he surely must have a problem with me. Our dishwasher is just over a year old and it is driving me this side of insane. It has a multitude of problems from not draining water from the tub to leaving an icky white film all over everything in the top rack. Why that issue doesn’t extend to the bottom rack is beyond me. Why the appliance repair people who were just here last week can’t fix the stinkin’ thing is beyond me. Gah!
So while I may be venting, you’ve got to know how much I appreciate a one-pot meal these days. I have half a mind to trash the dishwasher and just put a nice big, fat cabinet in its place, but with all the cooking and baking I do, I know that would surely spell the end. In the meantime, I was happy to see a one-pot dinner in a recent issue of Gourmet magazine. From their Every Day Quick Kitchen column, it’s a Latin-Style Chicken and Rice that is crazy easy to make.
Easy to make and one pot-ness aside, it wasn’t a wow. It was good, hearty, worked as a weeknight meal and served its basic purpose, but I was disappointed, both in the dish and the fact that it’s from Gourmet. I expected more I guess. Eh. The Husband and Nick ate it and everyone cleaned their plates, so I’m going to rest on those laurels instead of bemoaning the fact that it wasn’t a make-again for me. But as for the dishwasher…
Latin-Style Chicken and Rice
Recipe courtesy of Gourmet magazine, December 2008
Serves 4
- 2 pounds chicken thighs with skin and bone
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into bits
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped (2 cups)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup medium-or long-grain white rice
- 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon crumbled saffron threads
- 1 Turkish or 1/2 California bay leaf
- 1 cup frozen peas (not thawed)
- Garnish: chopped flat-leaf parsley
Pat chicken dry and season with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper (total). Heat butter and oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet (at least 2 inches deep) over medium-high heat until foam subsides, then brown chicken, turning once, about 10 minutes total. Transfer chicken with tongs to a plate.
Pour off all but 2 tablespoon fat from skillet. Cook onion and garlic with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper over medium heat, stirring, until golden, about 6 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add broth, water, saffron, and bay leaf and bring to a full boil. Nestle chicken in rice, keeping as much rice around (rather than under) chicken as possible, and add juices from plate. Simmer, covered tightly with lid, over low heat until chicken is cooked through, rice is tender, and most of liquid is absorbed, about 25 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in peas. Cover with a kitchen towel and then lid and let stand until all of liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Discard bay leaf.
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Oh, sorry about the dishwasher! This is a yummy looking meal that would look great on our dinner table :)
sharons last blog post..Heart Shaped Salmon & Shrimp Maki
I love meals like this, I actually make something similar to this, but it has a can of diced tomatoes in it, oregano, red bell pepper, lemon zest, chicken broth only (no water). I also use bone in skinless chicken breasts to make it a bit healthier. You should try it again and tweak it, it looks like it has great potential.
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You could always resort to a very reliable alternative dishwasher — the husband. heehee. My hubby does the dishes, and I cook. It works out very well, though, he does wish that everything I cook could be made in ONE pot. ;)
I’ve been underwhelmed with several of the Every Day Quick Kitchen meals I’ve made lately…there was a so-so pork, and a just-ok chicken (but there was also a very-involved-really-time-consuming roast chicken that was also ho-hum)…they seem to be in a bit of a slump lately…maybe things will pick up when the weather warms
It has to be the water in the area. Ours does the same.
The dish looks really good though.
Oh, bummer about the dishwasher!
And, I’m sorry you weren’t wowed with this delicious looking meal. It looks fabulous and it’s such a great one pot meal idea. In any event, it looks beautiful!
I know your frustration, I have been without a dishwasher for more than a year – and it gets very tiring.
Pity the meal wasn’t as good as you hoped, it still looks great, maybe some experimenting is in order
This looks wonderful – I love chicken and rice and Latin flavors so this recipe is calling my name.
Pams last blog post..Shredded Pork Tacos
Ugh, what is it with dish washers and disposals?? Why do they break so often! It’s not fair. I hope yours gets fixed soon! In the mean time, I’m loving these one pot wonders. This one looks especially delicious! I’m totally tabbing this recipe.
Elyses last blog post..A peace offering for my unexcused absence…
I think it’s a NJ thing… I have the same problem w/my dishwasher. I’ve tried putting vinegar in it and running it empty and still no luck.
At least everyone ate dinner and there were no complaints. I know what you mean though.. if it’s from Gourmet you have higher expectations of their recipes.
Patsy Kreitmans last blog post..Quaker Oats Simple Harvest & a GIVEAWAY!
Over here in Singapore, dishwasher is not common. I strongly believe only the rich has it in their kitchen! We’re accustomed to cleaning our pots, pans and dishes by hand :) Storage space is definitely key for me!
Now, this actually looks great! I’m so gonna give it a try!
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Kris and Patsy – definitely an area thing. They recommended using Glass Magic, which I did for awhile, but the dishwasher doesn’t really respond that well the powder, which it is. I just don’t get why it’s only one section of the dishwasher and not the whole thing? They said that most people just replace the dishwasher when that happens, which is crazy for something that is barely a year old! He’s coming back again today to try and fix the other problems.
Elyse – gotta love a one pot meal!
Pam – Latin flavors are usually easy sells in this house. :)
Anita – ouch! A year? Reminds me of my apartment days – three years no dishwasher so clearly I can do it, but do I want to? Nah, not really. ;)
Lisa and Sharon – thank you!
Tracy – I’m with you. They should still be Gourmet-like, just faster, which is certainly doable. They’ve fixed their depressing covers, now to move onto the recipes!
Carolyn – yeah, sounds like a great alternative, but so wouldn’t work here. :)
Sara – your version sounds delicious. I agree, doctoring may be in order.
I had Chicken with rice tonight but it certainly wasn’t as fantastic looking as the one you have here. Saffron really makes a difference.
Sorry to hear about your dishwasher! If it’s any consolation: this is what out dishwasher did to my cutlery:
http://alotonmyplate.blogspot.com/2009_02_01_archive.html
We had to get a new one but ours was 20 years old. After 1 year that’s not really an option for you. Befriend a dishwasher engineer??!!
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