Coconut Lime Chicken with Slaw

It's Labor Day! For me, this sparks a new energy as we anticipate the return to sub-100 degree temperatures here in Arizona. Still... it's hot on Labor Day - 7pm now and 102 degrees. So today I was again on the lookout for a refreshing, cool, not-boring meal for that meal we typically eat during the hottest part of the day. I turned to the Cook's Illustrated "30 Minute Meals" and settled on this one. JACKPOT! Spicy enough (with an admittedly slightly heavy hand on the Asian chili garlic sauce) to excite the palate, but balanced by the cooling elements of the cilantro, mango and slaw. The crunch from the cabbage and cashews contrasted well with the scrumptious soft, moist poached chicken... this was absolutely delicious and is a keeper!

Getting started!

My first blog! How exciting!

The raison d'etre for this blog is a happy culmination of two things I love - family and food! Laurie Beth, my niece, has taught me about chocolate and buttercream and all kinds of dessert decadence and has piqued my interest in her blog about Dorie Greenspan's cookbooks and cooking. I love to cook, ADORE trying new flavors, and especially like to share those experiments with my family. This blog will be my diary of those efforts as I follow along with Laurie's group in exploring Dorie's new cookbook, "Around My French Table".

I've loosely followed along with the "Tuesdays with Dorie" group adventuring through "Baking From My Home to Yours", having not learned about the group until the opportunity to officially join had expired, and have grown to thoroughly enjoy Dorie's recipes/writing, flavors, techniques and passion. In my house - now, an "empty nest" where children are concerned, but plenty full with John, me, and the 6 dogs and 3 cats - we LOVE French food. What's not to love? Lotsa butter, cream, cheese, and other rich flavors... I can't wait to get started!

Thank you, LB! xoxoxo

Amazon, HURRY UP and get my book here!

Lisa :)