Dinner: Chicken Mole

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe. It's been one of the best dinners I have made in awhile and it makes great leftovers too. I found this as I was looking through the 10/17/10 issue of Women's Day. The minute I read it I walked to the grocery store, bought all the ingredients, walked back and immediately set to work (doubled the batch and made way too much). Mole definitely has a unique rich taste (there's cocoa, cinnamon, cloves, and almond butter). Definitely worth a try, Enjoy!

*Note, this dish is perfectly paired with rice...feel free to start that (especially with long-grain rice) before you begin preparing the mole...

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp canola or vegetable oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
  
• 1 Tbsp cocoa powder
  
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  
• 1 cup smooth almond butter
  
• 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups chicken broth
  
• 1/4 tsp of salt
• 1 slice of white bread cut into small pieces
• 1 & 1/2 lb of skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch chunks
  

Directions:

1. In a dutch oven (or very large saucepan with lid) over medium-high heat combine the oil, garlic, cocoa powder, cinnamon, red pepper flakes, cloves, and black pepper. Saute for 5 minutes
2. Add the almond butter and mix until it melts into the other ingredients.
3. Add the tomatoes, broth, salt and bread and bring to a simmer
4. Add the chicken and return to a simmer
5. Cover the pot and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through

Dessert Recipe: Snickerdoodle Bars

Super easy and fast!

Ingredients:

• 2 sticks butter
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp sugar-cinnamon mixture, to sprinkle on top

Directions:
Preheat oven 350 degrees. Grease 13x9 in pan.
Cream butter and sugar with electric mixer at high speed until fluffy. Add baking soda, cinnamon, and salt then mix at low speed to blend. Add eggs, vanilla and beat on medium speed until just incorporated. Add flour and mix on low speed until blended.

Scrape dough into pan, smoothing into an even layer. Bake until lightly golden and set in center (about 25-30 minutes). Transfer pan to a rack, and if desired sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture and then cool completely.

Comments:
This is something that has a light taste and loved by everyone.