French Onion Chicken Sandwich

I love french onion soup but ever time i eat it I feel like I've consumed my weeks worth amount of salt and fat.  Soups are considered a healthy cup by most but when you really look into the salt, dairy, and butter consumption one partakes when indulging in a soup you quickly learn that this might not be the case.  I like to make my own soups and when i do I don't let sodium become a huge part of the soup, I let the natural juices from the veggies and meats, as well as the herbs and other seasoning become the main focal point of my soups.  Leaving it tasting wholesome and to what I feel, leave you feeling full longer cause the sodium just dehydrates you and leaves you wanting more soup. Just like soda, this is a negative effect.

This is a healthy alternative to the classic french onion soup.  You can't go wrong with this delicious sandwich. All the flavors you love from the soup is at your hands instead of at the end of a spoon.  Add a side salad with a light vinaigrette for a perfect side to this dish.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts (if they are to large for a sandwich only use 2 and slice in half)
• 4 slices Swiss cheese
• 4 Hamburger buns
• one onion (slices)
• 2 Tbsp. Red Wine
• 1 Tbsp. Olive oil

Directions:

Pre heat your oven to 375 degrees and get a baking pan ready to the side. 


Heat oil in a large non-stick pan over medium heat.  Add onions and cook for 1-2 minutes.  Slowly start stirring in the wine. cook till onions are caramelized.  if the sauce reduces before this happens.  Just reduce the heat to a simmer and keep stirring frequently. Remove from heat when done.

Now spray or spread olive oil in your baking pan.  Place the chicken in the pan and bake for 20-25 min. or until thoroughly cooked. 

Turn your oven to broil and add swiss cheese to the top of each chicken breast.  Broil until cheese melts and is golden brown. Remove from oven.

(Optional) Leave the oven on broil and grab a new baking dish and place the buns inside up in the oven till they start to crisp to your liking. 1-2 min.

Top the chicken and swiss cheese with the caramelized onions place in between two buns and enjoy!

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Smoked Sausage and Spaghetti Skillet

This is seriously amazing.  We were going to make baked mac and cheese one night and this recipe came along in sight and I had to make it.  It really just sold its self to me with one flying swoop. This is a perfect quick meal to prepare if you need dinner in a flash but you still want to eat healthy.  I added wine but if I'd been at my house I'd had added Gin or Brandy instead.  Either way it was delicious!

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. Wheat Linguine Spaghetti, cooked & drained
• 1 pkg. Smoked Sausage, sliced
• 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
• 1/4 c. White wine (optional)
• 1 pkg. (8 oz.) fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 2 c. grape tomatoes, cut in half
• 1/4 c. Fresh Basil, chopped

Directions:

Heat olive oil in a large skillet and brown sausage (3-4 min.).

Add mushrooms, garlic, and seasoning.  Continue to cook until veggies are tender.

Stir in tomatoes, basil, and  prepared pasta. Toss lightly.  Heat thoroughly, serve and enjoy!

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Mango Siracha Chicken Kebab

When I think of kebabs I always think healthy.  Cause I picture layers of veggies mixed in with meat on a stick.  What's not to love about that! This spin on an old favorite will send your taste buds soaring sky high as the fruity flavor of the mango, the spice of the Siracha and the zest from the vinegar and ginger help transform this glaze into a wonderful Asian style chicken kebab.  Layer all your favorite veggies that you can think of. Don't let your imagination run short on you.


Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp. Grated Ginger
• 1 Tbsp. Soy Sauce
• 1/4 c. Siracha
• 2 Tbls. Brown Sugar
• 2 Tbls. Seasoned Rice Vinegar 
• 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
• 1 Fresh Mango or 4 oz. Mango Jam/Frozen Mango (remember the fresher the better but we are beating it down to a pulp so it's open)
• 1 tsp. Curry Powder
• 1 Green Pepper
• 1 Red Pepper
• 1 Yellow Pepper
• 1 Zucinni
• 2 Onions
• 3-4 Chicken breasts

Note:  Chop veggies into about 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" squares.  A little smaller or bigger depending what what you're going for. Same with the chicken.  Keep then to 1/4" thick and 1" - 1 1/2" squares. 

Directions:

First we'll set the oven to 375 degrees and once it is preheated we will throw the chicken breasts in there for 25-30 min. or till they are fully cooked.  You could also boil them if you'd rather them to stay white and juicer.  This is all about preference when it comes to preparing your chicken.

While we are waiting for the chicken to cook we will make the sauce. Start by peeling the mango and taking it off the seed.  It's okay if it's not perfect we're going to pulverize it any ways. Just remove as much of the fruit as you can and add it to a bowl or mortar and pestle (if you went with jam or frozen mango all this is done for you).

Now take a potato smasher, or spoon, or your mortar and pestle and go to town.  Turning your mango into pulp.  After you are done, place the pulverized mango in a large bowl and add the ginger, soy sauce, Siracha, brown sugar, rice vinegar, olive oil, and curry powder.  stir until well blended.  You could also use the food process at this point. and pulse it till it's smooth.

Set your sauce aside and grab a cutting board and your veggies.  Chop your veggies into roughly 1 1/2" squares. Cut the zucinni into dimes leaving them about 1/4" thick.

When the chicken is done you're going to chop the chicken about 1/4" thick and 1" - 1 1/2" squares.

Marinade the chicken and the veggies in the mango Siracha sauce till you are ready to place them on the sticks.

Start by placing an onion on a stick, then one of each peppers, chicken, then zicinni.  Keep this pattern up till the stick is filled up.  Leaving about an inch or so at the ends for you to manage it and so the veggies don't fall off while turning the kebabs. I place the kebabs on the flames till they have carmalized a little then I place them away from the flames either on the lower or higher rack depending on how hot the grill is.

You can also place these under a broiler if you don't have a grill.  Just remember to check them and to keep flipping till they are done. Enjoy! 

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Baked Zucchini, Red Potato, and Chicken

This recipe was spontaneous while I was spending time at my aunts house with my two cousins, and a two year old. I wanted to cook something up that would be healthy and full of flavor.  Something that even a kid would love. My aunt had some zucchini in the fridge that she wasn't to sure what to do with, and needed to cook it up before it went bad.  I had just recently bought red potatoes and herb de provence to make baked potato and chicken, but after being reminded of the zucchini as I opened the fridge.  I decided to chop it up as well and add a light summer veggie that will soak up the flavors around it.   The finishing touch was white wine which complimented the chicken, potatoes, and zucchini perfectly. A healthy home made dinner that didn't really cost much at all and filled up 4 people and a lil guy. So it's great for a family dinner!

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Healthy Research on Healthy Living

I want to talk about your health for a bit and what you may or may not find when doing your research to better your self.  I research a lot.  it's kind of a big thing that I do.  I researched vegans for 3 months before I decided to try it for 6 weeks.  I research every time I write a post.  Now my main research comes from the web which is why this post is titled as such. Many people have many different views when it comes to how a certain food will/can harm you or better you.  Professional research, and bias opinions, and slightly researched thoughts can lead to some very misleading facts and/or information sent your way.  You have to take this into account and use your own best judgement towards how you personally feel after researching a few different sides.

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You Could Win a Juicer!

Image from http://www.cooking.com/product_285185_11/?CCAID=CKSCFRGOOG&mr:referralID=e8a3afff-fedd-11e2-9389-001b2166c62d#

That's right! You  could win a juicer for just chatting us up! The more entries you have the more chances you have on winning!  The random drawing will be held on Oct 10, 2013 so hurry up and enter!

This is our first sweepstakes ever on Your Kitchen Scents and we are expecting to have more sponsors help us out and offer more chances to win awesome prizes in the future!

Deadline: Oct. 10th! 

With more and more people looking to join a healthier living having a juicer in the house could really benefit you.  Juice veggies, fruit, really anything you want!  Well maybe not ice cream. But hey, it's going to be your juicer you do what you want!

 The Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Juice Extractor is big in all the right ways. It has a big food chute so you can put whole apples or tomatoes in without precutting and it has an extra large pulp bin so you can juice longer.

Features of the Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Juice Extractor:

Makes up to 24% more juice than a leading competitor.

Fits whole foods for fast, easy juicing.

Powerful 800-watt motor.

Extra-large pulp bin lets you juice longer and add nutrient-rich pulp to any recipe.

All removable parts are dishwasher-safe.

Stainless steel strainer basket with cleaning brush for easy pulp removal.

Easy to assemble and store.

Recipes included.

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