Hello July!

 

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It is not surprising that strawberries are the most popular berry in the world. An extremely versatile fruit, the strawberry is great in salads, desserts, and with proteins, and they’re perfect to eat as a snack. They’re in season late April through August, and in their peak during July, there is no time like no time like the present to take full advantage of strawberries.

Did you know that there are more than 600 strawberry varieties differing in flavor, size, and texture, although you can usually identify a strawberry by its red flesh decorated with yellow seeds and crowed with a small, trifoliate crown of leaves.

Fresh strawberries have a very short shelf life and are very perishable and should only DSC05495be purchased a few days prior to use. When selecting strawberries, look for firm, plump, mold-free berries that have a shiny, deep red color and intact green stems. Steer clear of berries that are dull in color with green or yellow patches—once picked, strawberries do not continue to ripen. Make sure that prepackaged strawberries are not packed too tightly, which could cause damage.

And so this month, because strawberries are “berry, berry nice”, just for your inspiration, On The Menu @ Tangie’s Kitchen is presenting a few of our favorite recipes featuring the seasonal and delicious strawberry this month.

Enjoy!


Thai Chicken Satay

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If you like Thai food and it amazing combination of  flavors, then you are going to love this recipe for Thai Chicken Satay. And the best part about this recipe is that the chicken can be BAKED OR GRILLED and we have  included instructions for baking or indoor/outdoor grilling so you can make this recipe year round – because you will want to make this recipe year round. I am specifically posting it RIGHT NOW. Not only will it be a showstopping main dish for a backyard barbecue, but you will want to have it for a special occasion or a holiday meal, later on in the year, like for Christmas or New Year’s. And to get even more mileage out this recipe, simple use chicken wings to make a fantastic appetizer!

Serve 4 to 6

Ingredients:
2 pounds chicken thighs and drumsticks
2 cups low-fat plain yogurt
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon yellow curry powder
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon fish sauce
1/2 teaspoon chili oil
1 cup prepared Thai peanut sauce, extra  for serving
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
1 tablespoon chopped unsalted peanuts, for garnish
Lime wedges, for serving
Cooked Jasmine Rice, for serving

Directions:
In a medium bowl, stir together the yogurt, ground coriander, curry powder, fish sauce,  chili oil and peanut sauce. Add the chicken and stir to coat. Cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for best results.

Line a baking sheet with foil and add marinated chicken, discarding excess yogurt. Bake for 18–20 minutes or until an internal thermometer registers 165°F when inserted into the thickest part of the meat. Set broiler to high. Place chicken under broiler for 4 minutes until golden brown.

Transfer the chicken  to a serving plate, and garnish with  cilantro and peanuts. Serve with limes,  peanut sauce for dipping and jasmine rice for a main course.

Cook’s Notes:
One 14-ounce can of coconut milk can be used as substitute for the yogurt.

TO GRILL: Grease an indoor or outdoor grill and heat to medium heat. Once hot, grill chicken approximately 10-12 minutes per side, or until chicken is cooked through (internal temp of 165 º F).

Add reserved Sauce to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat then stir in 1/2 cup peanut butter until completely combined. If you prefer a thinner sauce, stir in water 1 tablespoon at a time. Taste and add additional chili sauce if desired for a spicier sauce.

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Thank you so much!

 

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