Gazette Recipe File - Stoplight Chicken

Stoplight Chicken
Originally uploaded by mikekrankota

Alison and I had Rick and Wendy over for dinner this evening. We looked around to find what was in season, and invented this recipe:

Stoplight Chicken

(named for the red/yellow/green color scheme) serves 4:

Chicken:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
spices - oregano, salt, pepper, ginger, cumin (all to taste)

Tenderize chicken and coat with spice mixture. Sit for 1-2 hrs

Polenta (the base)

Buy pre-cooked polenta in the tube. Slice 1/4" or less thick. Press for 1-2 hrs on paper towels with kosher salt on top, to draw out moisture.

Relish

(all ingredients diced)
1/2 c fresh tomato
1/2 fresh cucumber
1 c fresh strawberries
1/4 c fresh yellow onion
1/4 c fresh parsley, chopped and bruised

Combine all ingredients. Cover and chill for 1-2 hrs

Avocado mousse

3/4 avocado - pureed
4-5 tbsp fat-free sour cream
juice of 1 lime

Mix all ingredients; whisk until fluffy. Cover and chill for 1-2 hrs

After the 1-2 hr prep time:

1) grill chicken
2) cook polenta on grill/griddle until crispy on outside
3) stir relish, salt to taste
4) whisk avocado mousse again until fluffy

Assembly

1) 5 polenta circles, arranged in a circle
2) Chicken
3) Relish (3-4 tbsp, to taste)
4) Avocado mousse (2-3 tbsp, again to taste)

The meal is very low-fat and low calorie, and went over quite well with Rick, Wendy and Alison.