Maple Brined Chicken and Oriental Cashew salad

Maple Brine Chicken

Well, the recipe actually called for turkey but although I recognize cooking gets pricey I just couldn't bring myself to spend $19. So we had chicken. Anyway, soak the bird over-night in a brine of maple syrup, brown sugar, salt, and water. Ooh, the flavor from the maple syrup really comes out in the gravy. Cover it in foil and roast it the next day. Save all the drippings for delicious mashed potatoes and gravy.

Oriental cashew salad

I couldn't find raw cashews ( I looked at two different stores, so I used almonds.) Asparagus, red peppers, mushrooms, onions, all tossed in a teriyaki blend.

WAIT! Don't throw away the carcass! Save it - bones, skin, fat, everything - and boil it in a large pot of water. Throw in scraps of vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery. Then add spices: thyme, peppercorns, garlic powder, etc. Boil and then simmer and use this as your chicken stock (broth) for lots of other recipes. Freeze it in smaller quantities and use it as needed.