A repeat and cauliflower gratin

Last night's dinner was a repeat of Noble Pig's Spicy Chicken with Apricots and Olives. We just HAD to have it again - yes, it is that good. I'm still amazed by the combination of cinnamon, cumin and smoked paprika, along with the spicy heat of red pepper flakes. It really is a fabulous way to cook cluck.

The only thing is - it's not the best use of drumsticks because skinless and without a coating, they tend to dry out even with all the fabulous sauce so next time I'll use thighs instead; however, the flavor...oh the flavor. I can't wait to make it again and that's even considering the leftovers in the refrigerator! What does that tell you?

As for our "withs", I bought a lovely head of cauliflower on Monday and was really craving it in a cheese sauce, but hey - I was a might lazy yesterday so didn't feel like going through the motions of making a roux, etc. Instead, I simply put the cauliflower florets into a shallow gratin dish, topped them with a little heavy cream mixed with Dijon mustard and some spices, sprinkled grated old cheddar, topped it with a dusting of bread crumbs and shoved the dish in the oven to join the chicken for half an hour. Now, I'm not saying I'll never make a regular cheese sauce again, but holy cow this was yummy, particularly all the caramelized bits on the bottom of the dish. Download Easy Cauliflower Gratin

Over coffee this morning, the big guy and I were talking about how "age" changes perception. Point in fact when we were kids you couldn't get us to eat cauliflower or broccoli for that matter. I still shudder when I remember the big green worm Mother cooked along with the broccoli once. If that doesn't turn you off nothing will, but now here we are eating all the veggies we can with the exclusion of peas and green beans that is. Who knows. Maybe by the time the big guy's 80 he'll be eating those too. Course by then he'll have burned his taste buds out on hot sauce and pepper flakes, and he won't be able to see what he's eating either.  Then if he does complain, I'll be deaf and won't be able to hear him .....oh brother. That kinda' got away on me didn't it?

Comments

[Nanan]

Yummy looking meal!!! Yet again!!! You just don't stop do you - like the energizer bunny! Gonna have to try that cauliflower!

[June]

Thanks Lea - I love to eat too much to stop cooking, and if I stop posting every day I'll have to change my bi-line that says "every night" suppers, so I just keep on keep'in on!

[Mags]

You crack me up....LOL

Hubby and I can't believe how much our tastebuds have changed as we've aged and how much we love eating our veggies now as opposed to when we were just kids. Must be our body's way of telling us we need that fiber and nutrients, eh?

[June]

Yes Mags - fiber, nutrients and PRUNES!

[noble pig]

Yum, but I could see the drumsticks getting dry. I guess that's why thighs are just so darn good.

[June]

Cathy - you're absolutely 100 percent correct - the thighs are the best!