Just Another Beautiful Day

Last year we skipped the whole garden thing. When we moved into our house, the prior tenants (actually several tenants back) had built raised garden beds in the side yard. Over the years, the beds began to rot and fall apart.

It was obvious we needed to scrap the existing beds. Since we needed to build new beds, we decided to do two things – first skip a year. While I missed puttering in the garden each morning, it was nice to have the mornings all to myself. The other thing we decided to do was to relocate the beds. So we simply let the side yard go.

Clean up was a family project. It’s amazing how much can be accomplished with a little team work. Spending the day working in the yard meant making a supper that once started tended to itself. While this slow cook wasn’t an all-day simmer, the few hours at the end of the day for the chicken to cook unattended gave me the much needed time to simply sit with my feet up.

Here are some before and after pictures of that jungle we called a side yard. Once the boxes are built and as the garden develops, I’ll be sharing that journey, too.

Before the clean up . . .

After the clean up . . .

After all that physical work, this supper was a delicious reward. Remember to enjoy life. An abundant life isn’t one filled with things or wealth. It’s a life filled with love. There is nothing more loving than taking the time to sit down together and break bread. Enjoy!

Slow-Cooker Poblano Chicken Thighs with Cilantro-Lime Rice
Slow-Cooker Poblano Chicken Thighs
3 Poblano Chilies
1/2 Jalapeño Pepper
1 White Onion
3 Garlic Cloves
2 tablespoons Spicy Olive Oil
8 boneless Chicken Thighs
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
3 tablespoons Taco Seasoning
Pinch Cayenne Pepper
1/2 cup Heavy Cream

Stem and thinly slice Poblano Chilies. Stem Jalapeño, slice half into rounds. Reserve remaining half for the beans. Peel and thinly slice onion. Peel and finely dice garlic. Set aside.

In a skillet over medium heat warm 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add chilie and onion slivers, cook until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic, cook 30 seconds longer. Place mixture in the bowl of a slow cooker.

In the now empty skillet heat remaining tablespoon oil, increasing heat to medium-high. Add chicken, cook 4 or 5 minutes per side until nicely browned. Place chicken in the bowl of the slow cooker.

In a small bowl combine salt, pepper, taco seasoning and cayenne pepper. Sprinkle seasoning over the chicken to coat. Stir until everything is well blended.

Cover, cook on LOW setting for 2-1/2 hours or until chicken is cooked through. Scatter Jalapeño rounds over the chicken, stir in the heavy cream. Increase to HIGH, cover and continue to cook 15 minutes longer or until cream is warmed through.

Cilantro-Lime Rice
1 pouch Cilantro-Lime Rice
1/4 cup Chicken Stock
1/4 cup Lime Juice
2 tablespoons Cilantro

Squeeze the pouch of Cilantro-Lime rice to mix well. Place a skillet over medium-low heat. Empty the pouch into the skillet. Stir in the chicken stock and lime juice. Slowly heat for about 10 minutes or until the rice is tender.

Snip cilantro, scatter over the rice just before serving.

Note: This pouched rice is intended to be cooked in the microwave for 90 seconds. Doing the rice is the skillet yields a tender rice with much more flavor.

Spicy Pinto Beans
2 cans Pinto Beans in Chili Sauce
2 tablespoon Taco Seasoning
1/2 Jalapeño Pepper
Pinch Ghost Pepper Seasoning

Empty beans, including liquids, into a sauce pan. Add taco seasoning. Finely mince remaining half a Jalapeño Pepper, scatter over to beans. Stir to blend well.

Heat over low heat until hot, stirring occasionally. Once beans have warmed through taste and adjust spice, if desired, with Ghost Pepper Seasoning.

To serve spread Cilantro Rice out in the center of a serving platter. Remove chicken thighs with a slotted spoon, arrange around the rice. Drizzle with some of the cream sauce, serve remaining sauce in a bowl or gravy boat to use as desired. Serve with beans on the side.

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O LORD, hear my prayer,
and let my cry come to You.