Balsamic Vinegar Chicken with Almond Peppers Saturday, Sep 13 2008 

Ingredients

2 large red bell peppers (about 3/4 pound)
2 large green bell peppers (about 3/4 pound)
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/3 cup raisins
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
6 (4-ounce) skinned, boned chicken breast halves
3 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 egg whites
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons water

Directions

Cut bell peppers into 2 x 2 1/2-inch strips. Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add peppers; sauté 8 minutes. Add raisins; sauté 1 minute. Add 1/4 cup vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper; cook 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in almonds. Set aside, and keep warm. Place each piece of chicken between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap; flatten to 1/4-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Combine breadcrumbs and cheese in a shallow dish. Place flour in a shallow dish; dredge each chicken piece in flour, and dip in egg whites. Dredge chicken in breadcrumb mixture. Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, and cook for 3 minutes on each side or until done. Remove from heat. Place the chicken and bell pepper mixture on a serving platter; set aside, and keep warm. Add 2 tablespoons vinegar and water to pan; stir with a wooden spoon to loosen browned bits. Spoon mixture over chicken and bell pepper mixture.

Source: my recipes

Peanutty Cabbage-Apple Slaw with Raisins Saturday, Sep 13 2008 

Ingredients

1/3 cup white balsamic or cider vinegar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons roasted peanut oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
3 cups coarsely chopped Granny Smith apple
1/2 cup golden seedless raisins
1 (16-ounce) package cabbage-and-carrot coleslaw

Directions

Combine first 5 ingredients, stirring with a whisk until sugar dissolves. Combine apple, raisins, and coleslaw. Drizzle with vinaigrette; toss well to combine. Chill for up to 3 hours.

Source: my recipes

Balsamic Chicken with Baby Spinach Saturday, Sep 13 2008 

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 (8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved
8 ounces baby spinach
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup low-sodium canned chopped tomatoes with juice
2 cups whole wheat couscous, cooked

Directions

Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the chicken and cook about 4 minutes per side, or until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove the chicken and set aside. To the same pan, add the spinach and cook just until wilted, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside. Lower the heat to medium and add the balsamic vinegar and chicken broth to the pan and stir, scraping the bottom of the pan to remove any browned bits. Add the tomatoes, bring to a simmer and cook 3 to 5 minutes.

Place the couscous in a serving bowl. Top with the spinach, chicken and balsamic-tomato sauce.

Source: food network

Balsamic Strawberries Sunday, Jun 8 2008 

Ingredients

2 pounds of cleaned, trimmed strawberries
¼ cup sugar
3 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toss strawberries with sugar and aged balsamic vinegar. Spread the berries on a baking sheet lined with a silpat. Bake for 40 minutes. Reserve the strawberries and the syrup that is produced.

Source: zoe bakes