I Did It My Way: Chickpeas in a Yogurt-Curry Sauce

So I get home from the gym, starving and in need of protein. Stat. I have no chicken or fish waiting...What could possibly make a full meal quickly? If you said, chickpeas, you are right. Chickpeas, which you likely know from hummus, are under-utilized in the average American's kitchen. And it's a shame: they are hearty, healthful, and can be used about a hundred ways...salads, stews, soups, etc.

I went to the Internet (God, how did people cook before Google?!)...for some inspiration. I found a great recipe that I proceeded to ignore, but use for reference. It is so simple and really refreshing.

Fruit for Dinner?

Fruit for dinner? Ever consider it?

It never ceases to intrigue me that Americans don’t cook with fruit more. Fruit is reserved for breakfast (anyone want some strawberries with their cereal?) or after dinner (think fruit salad on a summer night). There are some notable exceptions: Hawaiian pizza glorifies the ham and pineapple combo. Or what about some good old-fashioned pork chops and apple sauce? Though there are times and places in American food for a fruit-meets-meat meal, it is much rarer here than in other places of the world. What would South and South East Asia cuisine be without fruit in its meals? 

Never fear! Fruit for dinner is an interesting and quick way to bring a new flavor to your kitchen. Busy people – especially budgeted college students – get into a routine: cereal for breakfast, sandwich for lunch, chicken/pasta/salad for dinner. Fruit brings different tastes, textures, and nutrients to your cuisine.

Some Examples of How to Welcome Fruit into Your Meals

Peanut butter and jelly, with bananas and strawberries on toasted wheat bread

• Sweet and salty, with a chance to vary the texture of the typical sandwich

Cardamom-infused rice with nuts, grapes, diced apples and raisins

Simple staple food made even better

• Heat some oil in a pot, heat the cardamom and any herbs, then cook the rice in the same pot. As the rice is nearly done cooking, add in your fruits: sliced grapes, diced apple, and raisins and nuts are a good choices. Play around, use what you have. 

Chicken with Green Apples Baked in a Brown Sugar-Apple Juice Sauce

• I just made and ate this for dinner, and it was a success. I browsed through a bunch of recipes and, with some ideas and inspiration, got cracking on my own adaptation on the chicken-apple combo. I’ve included an abbreviated version of my recipe below (for one whole chicken breast).

What you need:

• Chicken breast
• Butter or oil
• Sliced Granny Smith apple (or other tart apple) – about 1/2 will suffice
• Teaspoon of brown sugar
• Quarter cup of apple juice
• Quarter cup of plain yogurt, sour cream, or heavy cream (whatever you have on hand!)