The Power of a Chicken Recipe

Chicken has got to be one of the most universal meats we have today. You can do so much with it, and you get so much from it. Have you got a really terrific chicken recipe that every time your family sits down to the table puts a smile on their face? Most of us do have such a wonderful recipe, for some of us it is fried chicken, and for others it will be our famous chicken soup.The funny thing about a chicken recipe is that you can take the same recipe and alter a couple of ingredients and have a whole new dish. Or you can take an existing recipe that does not contain any chicken at all, perhaps that famous pasta salad that you make, toss in some cubed chicken and you've got a whole new chicken recipe that will delight your friends and family for years to come. And of course from that one alteration, you can create a whole list of new chicken recipe dishes.More than likely, if each of us thought about it, we have enough chicken recipes that we have created in our own kitchens to create a whole Chicken Recipe Cook Book! Just think of the sections you could have: Fried Chicken, Baked Chicken, Stewed Chicken, Chicken Soup, Chicken Salads, Chicken Dips, Roasted Chicken, Chicken Casseroles â€" And this is just touching the surface. Such a cookbook would become famous in most kitchens.It is a safe bet to say that there is not a woman alive today who does not have some kind of a chicken recipe that is her special pride and joy. In some cases, it will be the thing she offers to cook when her children come home for the holidays. Or maybe in some cases it is this special fried chicken that she makes to coax a son home after too many months away!There are men who are quite savvy in the kitchen as well. And there are a number of chicken recipes, especially for fried chicken that are out of this world --all created by the male gender. It may seem a surprise to hear this, but it really is a fact. The next time you are looking for an excellent chicken recipe, whether it be fried chicken, chicken soup or something more exotic such as Chicken Florentine, don't be surprised if the creator of the recipe is a male, and don't be surprised if it puts your own current favorite fried chicken to shame!And for a moment let us keep in mind the nutritional value of chicken. It is high in protein, low in fat, and absolutely no carbs when skinless. You may be surprised to learn that it is a rich source of niacin, vitamins B-6, B-12, Vitamin D, iron, and zinc! It is pretty close to a perfect meat. How many mothers keep a chicken soup recipe in their kitchen for those times when somebody in the family is sick? They know the healing power of chicken! Make sure you keep enough chicken recipes on hand in your kitchen to serve it often and never get tired of it!

Read More

Quick and Easy Chicken Recipes

What can beat a quick and easy recipe that is as good for your busy schedule as it is for your health? Not only is baking considered to be the healthiest way of preparing chicken, but it is also one of the quickest and simplest ways to prepare a tasty meal. Chicken is loaded with proteins and has considerably less fat than red meat, making it an ideal source of protein. Whether prepared in whole or in part, it is recommended to keep the skin on the chicken while baking to prevent the meat from drying and burning. The skin helps maximize taste and can be removed before serving. For those who choose to leave the skin out entirely, baking chicken in sauce or as part of a casserole is a great way to serve a more juicy and tasteful entrée. There is a range of sauces and seasonings used to prepare truly mouthwatering chicken recipes. Follow this expert tip for getting the most taste out of your baked chicken dishes: once the dish is prepared for baking, place the contents in an oven bag to preserve flavor throughout the cooking process. Your guests will taste the difference. An alternative is to place individual pieces of chicken in aluminum foil, along with sauce and seasonings. The foil should be folded in a way that would prevent the sauce from escaping. Arrange the foil-wrapped chicken pieces on a baking dish or tray and bake in a preheated 375 degree oven. Most recipes for chicken require a baking time of 30 minutes to one and a half hours. Chicken lends itself well to a variety of flavors and seasonings. Below are some of the most popular chicken recipes among home cooks. Honey 'n GarlicTake a walk on the sweet side and add some honey flavor to your baked chicken. Baked chicken works incredibly well in a honey garlic sauce. Although it may seem like an odd blend at first, the sweetness of honey and the intensity of garlic are a wonderful combination of spices to make a mouthwatering chicken centerpiece. Honey has a tendency to mellow out the strong flavor of garlic, creating a smooth and flavorful taste to complement most side dishes. Honey 'n Garlic chicken tastes wonderful served alongside rice mixed with raisins and other dry fruits. Barbecue SpicesThe sweet tanginess of barbeque is a perfect complement for chicken and a great addition to your personal recipes cookbook. Barbecue sauce bakes well and comes in a large variety of flavors. From hot and spicy to sweet and tangy, there is ample variety to suit even the pickiest eaters. Barbecue sauce makes chicken tender, juicy and flavorful and is very easy to prepare. Cranberry SweetnessA special recipe to share with your loved ones is baked chicken with cranberry sauce. Although cranberry sauce is most commonly associated with holiday turkey dinners, cranberries make a perfect complement for chicken. Cranberry sauce adds much freshness and juiciness to the natural texture of chicken, and makes an enlivening sauce that is sure to be noticed. Serve this chicken dish in the wintertime, when the cranberries act as an immune booster. If fresh cranberries are hard to find, dried berries can be used instead. Be sure to reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe, as dried cranberries are usually pre-sweetened. Asian SaucesCraving exotic Asian flavors? Chicken in teriyaki sauce is a popular dish that is a sure crowd-pleaser. Homemade chicken teriyaki is healthier and tastier than takeout. Instead of opting for bottled teriyaki, make the sauce from scratch for a more intense and fresh flavor. Making the sauce yourself will also give you a great control over the final taste. With a bit of experimentation, you can create a sauce that is perfectly suited to your liking. You control the sweetness, thickness and the intensity of flavor. There is nothing quite like a teriyaki sauce made at home!

Read More

The Avian Influenza Virus

Avian Influenza: A Great Concern - Avian influenza first occurred in Italy, but has spread around the world. It is an infectious disease caused by strains of the influenza virus.Avian influenza viruses are easily transported from farm to farm even to new geographical areas by migratory birds and by contaminated people, vehicles, equipment, feed, and cages. Viruses survive for quite long in both low and high temperatures. The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) recommends vaccination against outbreaks. Control measures are for all infected or exposed birds, proper disposal of carcasses, quarantining, rigorous disinfection of farms, and the implementation of strict sanitary or biosecurity measures. Human avian influenza victims usually develop fever, sore throat, cough, severe respiratory distress and viral pneumonia. The people which are affected are of all ages in different states of health. There are rapid tests for diagnosing all influenza strains. Antiviral drugs have limitations, although they are effective in the treatment and prevention of influenza A virus strains. If a new virus subtype occurs, it takes some time to produce a new vaccine that is efficient. However, with birds the avian influenza virus develops and spreads differently. All birds can carry the avian influenza type A virus inside their intestines and distributes it in the environment through bird feces. These highly contagious forms results in severe epidemics and rapid death. For more information about avian influenza virus prevention visit:http://www.bird-city.com Avian bird influenza affected Australia in 1997 but, was eradicated. However, eradication has not been successful in countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia Thailand, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Egypt, China, and Iraq people have died as a result of having been infected with the avian influenza virus. Help make you community safer and healthier by taking these simple measures: Do not allow your chickens to roam freely, do your part in advising the public not to catch, get near or keep wild birds in captivity. These simple but very important measures are just a few things you can do to help prevent a catastrophical pandemic. ~Anthony Benjamin~ http://www.bird-city.com

Read More