Quick dinner entry numero Uno: Asparagus, Mash Potatoes and Tangy Chicken

I'm in the midst of studying for my Ph.D. qualification exam. It's only the biggest exam that I will ever take in my life as it determines whether or not I can stay in my graduate school program. I've been studying bit by bit every day so preparing for it has gotten to be too bad yet, however I am getting to point where I am getting just a little bit stressed.

With this in mind, something super-simple for dinner is required. Simple but tasty meals involving few ingredients are typically my specialty, but due to my lack of time to grocery shop lately I've had to seriously scrounge through my pantry. That's right, I raided my "in case of natural disaster emergency" pantry shelf and broke out the boxed mashed potatoes flakes. As an advocate for cooking with all fresh food, I hang my head in shame on this entry. Even so, this meal was pretty delicious, proving that quick and cheap can still be mighty tasty and reasonably healthful. Interested in the meal below? Read on!

Asparagus, Mash Potatoes and Tangy Chicken 
(Total time: ~20 minutes)

Chicken

• In a pan on medium-low heat, place: 
• Olive oil (silver dollar-sized amount)
• Boneless chicken breast
• Sprinkle chili powder
• Lime juice (about 2 tbs)
• Place lid on pan, and cook each side of breast until cooked (~4-5 minutes each side). Don't overcook! 
• Remove from heat and cut into chunks. 
• P.S. see the "make it vegan" tip below

Asparagus

• Wash asparagus bunch and find the part (opposite the tip) that bends easily. Break off this end. (Trust me, you're not wasting it. It's too tough to eat anyways.)
• In a new pan on medium-low heat, place:
• Asparagus 
• Olive oil  
• Place a lid on pan and cook until the asparagus is a dark, vibrant green and begins to look just a little seared (about ~8 minutes).
• Remove from heat and place on plate immediately to avoid overcooking. 

Mashed potatoes

• Follow directions on mashed potato box, then skip to the 3rd bullet. OR
• If you choose not to go the boxed route like I did, follow this for the yummiest mashed potatoes ever:
• Thoroughly wash and cube red potatoes. Keep the skins! 
• Boil those babies up until completely soft (~15-20 minutes)
• Drain and place in bowl to mash
• For a smoother, creamier texture, try adding one or all of the following:
• Soymilk
• Olive oil
• Tofutti Sour Supreme: Better than Sour Cream (a delicious soy substitute!)
• Finish by adding garlic powder and dill. 

Want to make this meal even more healthy, cheap and kind to animals as well? Make it vegan by replacing the chicken in this meal with slices of firm tofu. Follow seasoning instructions given for the chicken and cook to desired texture.  

the Definition of Yumminess

   Experience has taught me that those seemingly insignificant things in life make you smile and keep you going. Sometimes happiness comes unexpectedly when discovering a great new place to hike, trying out a new yoga pose and other times it comes in the subtle form of re-finding that really great pair of snuggly socks in the back of my dresser drawer. 
   Being someone who loves to eat good food, bursts of happiness more often than not occur when experimenting with food in my kitchen. But as someone who is allergic to milk and also pretty darn lactose intolerant, the road to the dinner table has not always been a simple one. In the 15 years since that diagnosis, I have come to relish cooking with delicious ingredients (to the point where I don't even miss the milk), and love testing out dairy substitutes (in those recipes that just plead to be creamy). 
   My goal is to share a little of life's yumminess (mainly the foodie portion of it) in the form of a photograph, recipe or a even a little blurb. Hopefully it will get you thinking about all of the yummy things you can whip up in your own life too :)  Join me in my blogging adventure!  


Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it. 
-Ferris Bueller