Snow Days

Ahh snow days… fluffy white flakes softly blanketing everything from the ground to the rooftops and to the tippy tops of trees transforming our February Northwest bare landscape into a winter wonderland. 

Excitement mounting as kids pull on ski jackets, pants, boots, gloves and goggles.  In their haste or habit, the laundry door to the garage is carelessly left open, and the chill sneaks into my warm world.  I hear their laughter echoing as they cruise down for their first sled run and sense their smiles as they walk back up the hill to go again.  

Neighbors huddled together, unidentifiable in their bundled clothing, watching kids race and careen their sleds or reliving their childhoods as they take a turn at the rush of downhill.  As much as I enjoy watching them enjoy the snow… I can't wait to get back inside my warm kitchen.  I don't think I've ever loved my kitchen more than on a cold snowy day.

It's not until the sting of numb fingers as the chill penetrates their ski gloves and the burn of tired legs from climbing back up the hill with their sled in tow that the thought of something warm beckons them inside.  Shedding layers of clothes, leaving them in a wet pile, and demanding the simple warmth of hot chocolate, it's easy to satisfy them and fall into this simple routine.  The drum drum drum sound of the dyer is nonstop, just as soon as their clothes are dry, they are back outside.

At times like these, I like to cook simple warming food like a whole baked chicken.  

Easy Baked Chicken

I like to rinse my organic chicken with cold water,  drain and pat dry with paper towels.  I also like to tuck in a little butter under the breast skin. I salt and pepper liberally and place on a sheet pan on top of sliced onions and bake 375 deg for about an hour.  Check to see that it's cooked through, 170 deg and juices run clear when pierced with a knife.  Since you have the oven on, cook some potatoes with it.   Let the chicken rest 10-15 minutes before carving.  Bake two chickens for bigger appetites.

Serve chicken w/caramelized onions and potatoes

Chicken and cheese enchiladas

Pull the remaining chicken meat off the bone, and season with taco seasoning and tucked them inside warmed corn tortillas for enchiladas (add black beans), and cheese.  For a quick sauce, I used TJ's enchilada red sauce.  Top with cheese, onions, olives, green onions, whatever you have.  

Chicken Stock
Last but not least, make stock with the bones by adding a carrot, onions, celery, peppercorn and cover with cold water.   Bring to a boil, keep adding water as needed and simmer for 1 hours.  Strain solids by pushing down on the veggies and bones to get every last drop of the stock.  Sounds like snow is turning to ice, doesn't soup sound perfect?