Bistro Chicken and More Writing on the Homefront

I made a new Chicken recipe -- Bistro Roast Chicken and Thyme. I do not know where I found the recipe but I found it totally enjoyable.  It is from "150 Things to Make with Roast Chicken and 50 Ways to Roast It" by Tony Rosenfeld, $14.95). This recipe is made with fresh lemon zest and thyme.

You know what comes next is this instance. You mix on the ingredients and you let the chicken rest for 24 hours in the refrigerator -- and yes I couldn't believe this -- uncovered.

The next day you combine thyme, butter and lemon zest in a bowl. This you will with dabbing all over the chicken. Put half a lemon in the cavity of the chicken while you hold onto the other half.

The big thing is when you serve it you are suppose to use the juices from the chicken and lemon juice from the other half of the lemon.

It tasted fabulous and was nice and juicy.
Here is the recipe.

BISTRO ROAST CHICKEN WITH LEMON AND THYME                 Serves: 4

Prep: 10 min (plus overnight standing time)                   Total : 1 hr, 30 min

1 chicken (3½ to 4 pounds),	1 lemon, cut in half
rinsed and patted dry with paper towels	3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
2½ teaspoons salt	1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
½ teaspoon black pepper

Sprinkle 2½ teaspoons salt and ½ teaspoon pepper all over chicken, including cavity.

Place rack in a pan and put the chicken on top. Let it sit for 24 hours uncovered, in the refrigerator.

Preheat the oven to 425°F.

Set an oven rack in the middle position. Finely grate lemon zest and set it aside.

In a small bowl, combine the butter, thyme and lemon zest. Using a brush, dab butter between the skin and breast meat, taking care not to break the skin. Spread remaining butter all over the bird and inside the cavity. Push a lemon half into the cavity. Reserve the remaining half.

Set chicken breast side up on a rack in a large roasting pan. Roast until the breasts are nicely browned, about 25 minutes. Gently flip the bird (using tongs to clutch the inside of the cavity and side) and cook  until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 to 170°F, about another 20-25 minutes.

Remove from oven and let rest 5 to 10 minutes, breast side up. Carve and serve with a drizzle of accumulated juices and a squirt of lemon juice.

From "150 Things to Make with Roast Chicken and 50 Ways to Roast It"  by Tony Rosenfeld (Taunton, $14.95). 539 calories (60% from fat), 36 grams fat  (13 grams sat. fat), 2 grams carbohydrates, 50 grams protein, 152 mg  sodium, 179 mg cholesterol, 33 mg calcium, 0 grams fiber.

I wrote an article which a continuation on Being on Humira: Part 2 from my experience in hopes that it will help some people; and an article on Ice Cream By the Pint and why I enjoy buying them buy the pint. The one article I couldn't resist writing about was Ten Inch Hero, which stars Jensen Ackles of Supernatural, which I feel is a definite keeper and I feel I have to get it for my DVD collection along with The Invention of Lying. 

Until next time,

Cassandra

Fiore's Restaurant in Old Saybrook, CT and The Charter Oak Health Plan

Before I get into a recipe and other local places to visit people in Connecticut received stunning information from Charter Oak -- the health insurance being provided by the state who want insurance and cannot afford it. According to File No. 913 of the Connecticut General Assembly which met on May 7, 2010. This is from the bill...
".........

It cannot be anticipated what the structure of the 1115 waiver submitted by the department will be, nor what the federal government may require prior to final approval of federal financial participation. (For the purposes of this analysis, it is assumed that any such waiver is specific only to the SAGA and Charter Oak programs, and does not alter the structure of the current state Medicaid program.)
Medicaid waivers allow states great flexibility in structuring benefits. Both the SAGA and Charter Oak program have substantially different benefit plans and payment mechanisms as compared to the Medicaid program. Should the federal government simply allow these program structures to be maintained while providing federal reimbursement (which is unlikely), the state would realize a net revenue gain of $95 million.
It is more likely that the federal government would require substantial changes in these programs prior to waiver approval. These changes would likely increase the overall cost of the program, thereby reducing the net state gain. Although the changes required cannot be anticipated, the state would likely see a net gain even with substantial increases (up to 70%) in the overall programmatic costs.
DSS will also incur additional administrative costs (likely between $100,000 and $200,000) for staff and contractual obligations necessary to develop and submit such a waiver
The Out Years
The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to inflation.
Sources: DSS cost and caseload data, current services budget estimates, OLR bill summary, public hearing testimony.
OLR Bill Analysis
sSB 988
AN ACT CONCERNING MEDICAID FUNDING FOR SAGA AND CHARTER OAK.
SUMMARY:
This bill requires the Department of Social Services (DSS) commissioner, by January 1, 2010, to apply for a federal Medicaid 1115 demonstration waiver to provide Medicaid coverage to individuals qualifying for either the State-Administered General Assistance (SAGA) medical assistance program or the Charter Oak Health Plan (see BACKGROUND). Currently, state funds are used to pay for the SAGA program and the subsidized portion of the Charter Oak Health Plan. Medicaid coverage would provide federal matching funds for these state expenditures.
The bill requires the commissioner to submit the application to the Human Services and Appropriations committees before sending it to the federal Medicaid agency, in accordance with state law. If he fails to do so by January 1, 2010, he must submit a written report to both committees, by January 2, 2010, explaining (1) why he has not done so and (2) an estimate of the cost savings that such a waiver would provide in a single calendar year.
Under current law, the DSS commissioner, by January 1, 2008, was to have sought a waiver to cover SAGA recipients with income up to 100% of the federal poverty level. He never sought the waiver. The bill repeals this separate provision.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
BACKGROUND
Federal Waivers
Federal Medicaid law (Section 1115 of the Social Security Act) allows states to request “demonstration” waivers of federal rules to expand health care coverage when those rules would otherwise not allow such, or to limit whom the program covers. These waivers are generally good for five years unless renewed.
States may still request 1115 waivers, which are research and demonstration waivers that allow states to experiment with coverage. These states must be able to demonstrate that they are “budget neutral” over the life of the demonstration, meaning they cannot be expected to cost the federal government more than it would cost without the waiver.
Legislative Approval of Waivers—CGS §17b-8
State law requires the DSS commissioner, when applying for a federal waiver for other than routine operational issues, to submit the application to the Human Services and Appropriations committees before sending it to the federal government. The committees have 30 days to hold a hearing and advise the commissioner of their approval, denial, or modification of it. If they deny the application, the commissioner may not submit it to the federal government. The law also sets up a process for when the committees do not agree. If the committees do not act within the 30 day period, the application is deemed approved.
Medicaid Coverage for SAGA
In 2003, the legislature directed DSS to seek a Medicaid waiver to cover SAGA medical assistance recipients by March 1, 2004 (PA 03-3, June 30 SS). In 2007, the legislature extended the deadline from March 1, 2004 until January 1, 2008 and extended it to individuals with incomes up to 100% of the FPL (PA 07-185). Currently, SAGA medical assistance is available to individuals with income up to about 55% of the FPL.
Charter Oak Health Plan
Since August 2008, the Charter Oak Health Plan has offered state residents another health insurance option. Individuals must be uninsured for at least six months to qualify and benefits are provided by managed care organizations. The state provides both premium and deductible assistance to individuals whose incomes are under 300% of the federal poverty level.
Legislative History
The Senate referred the bill (File 195) to Appropriations, which removed a requirement that the waiver have a certain designation.
Related Bills
SHB 6402 (File 509) requires DSS to seek a federal waiver for SAGA and Charter Oak by January 1, 2010.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Human Services Committee
Joint Favorable"


Here is the link http://www.cga.ct.gov/2009/FC/2009SB-00988-R000913-FC.htm


It is very disappointing that the DSS Commissioner did not what was needed to help its Connecticut Residents who needed insurance and could not afford it.


Yesterday I had brunch with family for Mother's Day and I helped my Mother with the lawn.


Last week we did go out to dinner at Fiore's Restaurant in Old Saybrook, CT. This is a very popular place with the locals.

Here is a link to their menu.


I had Calamari Fra Diavlo which is served sautéed with fresh garlic, basil in a spicy marinara sauce served over linguine.

My dinner was truly excellent. If you are in the area you should stop by for some Italian. 


Be optimistic.


Cassandra

I Scream You Scream We all Scream for Ice Cream!

I love going to the grocery store and choosing one of the exotic flavors of ice cream in the freezer. Yes, there are flavors that should definitely be passed up because they are bad combos.  I tried another Ben & Jerry ice cream - Maple Blondie. It is a limited batch flavor.

How yummy is it --- here is the ice cream with the cover off.

I love the taste of maple syrup on pancakes and French toast. That is why I love the maple flavor and the ice cream, and the added taste of those blondies. You could just lick those lips.

If not there is only one thing left to do...

Go to Dairy Queen and stand in line for a chocolate cone with chocolate sprinkles. Here is the Dairy Queen in Old Saybrook, CT, which is one popular place. Almost every time you drive past the place there is a line of people for ice cream.

Get out and get ice cream!

Cassandra

Grilled Pork for the Whole Family

Growing up I always liked to watch the Chefs in the kitchen preparing meals. I loved to watch two shows in particular, Martin Yan and The Frugal Gourmet -- Jeff Smith. I bought nearly all of the Frugal Gourmet cookbooks.

Cover via Amazon

The recipe I am sharing with you today comes from The Frugal Gourmet Whole Family Cookbook which came out in 1992.

Here is the recipe from page 183 of the cookbook. I should note that I do not have a grill, so in making this recipe I broiled the pork instead of grilling it.

I mixed all the ingredients in a small bowl and then trimmed the pork and put the pork in a glass pan so that I could marinate the meat.

You pour the ingredients you mixed in a bowl of the pork -- ground cumin, lemon, dry white wine, garlic cloves, salt and pepper.

Then you put the pork in the refrigerator for an hour -- don't forget to turn the pork every once in a while to pick up all that wonderful flavor.

This is the time you would preheat the grill of course, then I preheated the broiler in the oven.

Put it on the grill or broil like I did and baste frequently on both sides while it is cooking.

Here is the finished product - nice and juicy. If you are able to grill it - it will have those lovely grill lines that everyone likes to see.

It tastes really yummy!

Cassandra

M&Ms Coconut and Jewelry Scrapbooking

Recently while on the M&Ms website I found out about a new M&M flavor - Coconut. I did not even notice until I purchased a single serving package that one package contains 210 calories.

Here are the M&Ms out of the bag.

The M&Ms taste like the Almond Joy candy bar because you also taste chocolate. The one difference between the M&Ms and the candy bar is that the M&Ms taste like itty bitty Almond Joys where you taste a little bit more chocolate and a lot less coconut then the candy bar.

I also took a trip recently to the scrap booking store in my area -- The Scrapebook Clubhouse in Westbrook, CT.

 II don't do scrap booking as much as you know that I make jewelry. There are some scrap book items made by Ranger which you can add to your jewelry which can make your jewelry that much more creative.

I can not wait to use them. I am trying to become more creative with my jewelry ideas, while still having a classic vintage look.

I also went to a charity event at my high school and I test road a Ford Fusion hybrid. I have never driven a car that is electrical.

Until next time; remember,  try new things and visit new places.

Cassandra

If You Love Brownies...and Ice Cream

One of my favorite desserts has always been ice cream. I use to have a hat when I was growing up that said, "I Scream, You Scream, We all Scream for Ice Cream." The things that are bought for us when we are children.

If I had a choice between Brownies and Cookies, it is brownies all the way. I like their thick chewy goodness.

So what could be better than Ben & Jerry's Brownie Batter Ice Cream...

Opening the cover just made the ice cream that more inviting..

 

This ice cream literally tastes like brownies. It is worth buying again. It is an ice cream that is definitely worth screaming about in excitement. 

Cassandra

Turkish Zucchini Fritters and Ellen Foster

I finished the book Ellen Foster by  Kaye Gibbons. It was really a touching story about a girl who lost her parents and her family didn't really care about her. So she tries to find a new family where she will be loved. It was an easy read, only 125 pages. I wanted to read the book after I had seen the movie on Lifetime television.

I am now reading the book Silas Marner by George Elliot. This is a classic which I should really enjoy.

I find many interesting recipes on a site called Recipezaar. I always like to try new recipes and I came across a very interesting zucchini recipe --  the exact name is Kabak Mücveri (Turkish Zucchini Fritters).  Here is the link to the original recipe.

KABAK MÜCVERI (Turkish Zucchini Fritters) RECIPE #127269
Fritters are very popular in the Middle East. They are eaten hot or at room temperature as a vegetable side dish or a meze. It couldn’t be simpler to make, but you can dress it up with optional garnishes of black olives, tomatoes, or hard-boiled egg. The perfect use for small, sweet new zucchini. Serve alone or with a creamy garlic-lemon yogurt sauce for a perfect complement to any spicy or grilled foods that call for a cooling accompaniment.

1 lb zucchini      
½ cup kasseri cheese, grated or feta cheese, crumbled
½ cup chopped green onions (spring)    
4 eggs, slightly beaten 
1 small yellow onion, grated    
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup fresh dill, chopped    
fresh ground pepper
4 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped    
olive oil, for frying 
6 servings Change size or US/metric
35 minutes 15 mins prep    
Grate the zucchini and place in a colander; sprinkle with salt and let drain for 30 minutes; squeeze out moisture and pat with paper towels.
Place the zucchini in a bowl and add the green and yellow onions, dill, parsley, cheese, flour and salt and pepper to taste; mix well.
In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, pour in oil to a depth of ¼ inch; when the oil is hot, drop the batter by heaping tablespoonfuls into the pan (or form into small patties), allow space in between fritters; fry for 2 minutes on the fist side, then turn to brown on the second side for about 3 minutes; using a slotted spatula transfer to paper towels or newspaper to drain; repeat with remaining batter.

To start the first thing you need is zucchini.

You grate it and drain it and dampen it with a paper towel.

Here is the product all mixed together.

Then you fry them. You either drop them from a spoon or make patties. I dropped them from a spoon.Here is my finished product.

These are really tasty warm. What I liked was that you can eat them at room temperature. According to the recipe you can serve these with a yogurt sauce, but I thought they tasted great the way they were. I think they would be great for picnics and school lunches.

Get out, it's going to be a beautiful day,


Cassandra