CHICKEN ala BAD DAY

I was having one of those days with trying to get my aunt to a specific appointment at a specific time.  You know the type that she wasn't (or wasn't able to) cooperating, the weather was storming, it was hot and muggy and I was just plain getting worn out dealing with her.  We were supposed to have leftovers tonight, I had planned it that way knowing I would be gone dealing with her, but someone, who will remain nameless decided that it looked better for lunch.  So when I got home I rooted around the crisper and the pantry trying to throw together enough dinner for tonight and was pleasantly surprised at the outcome.  My uncle asked what I called this and I said Chicken ala Bad Day.  He asked if I would post it to my blog and I said yes, because guess what?  They want me to make it again and it turned out REALLY good.

CHICKEN ala BAD DAY
3 tablespoons butter
2 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 large bunch green onions, sliced thin
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup champagne vinegar 
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons molasses
salt and pepper to taste 
1/2 pound green beans, trimmed 
1/4 pound mushrooms, sliced

• Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. 
• Generously salt and pepper the chicken pieces.
• Saute' the onions and garlic until they soften and brown, about 5 minutes.
• Add chicken pieces until golden brown on both sides. 
• Pour in vinegars and molasses.
• Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until chicken is well glazed.  I removed the chicken and then added mushrooms and green beans and sauteed them in the remaining sauce creating a great accompanying vegetable.

I was going to use soy sauce when I discovered I was completely out and so I looked up substitutes.  I found this and it sounds like a great mix that I plan to try soon.

Soy Sauce Alternatives

If you are looking for a substitute for soy sauce which can be stored for sometime, here is a concoction which can be used for a month, if stored in the refrigerator.

Prepare garlic vinegar
5 garlic cloves
½ a quart of boiling white wine vinegar
1½ tablespoons of peppercorns 

1 tablespoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
+/-5 tablespoons blackstrap molasses (a spiritous mixture of rum and molasses)

• Add garlic and peppercorns to vinegar and  let it stand for 3 weeks.
• After 3 weeks,  add onion powder and ground ginger to 1¾ cups of the strained garlic vinegar. 
• Next add +/-5 tablespoons. Take care to add the blackstrap based on how sour or sweet you want it to be. 

This soy sauce alternative is actually the best choice for those who are on a low sodium diet owing to blood pressure or cardiovascular issues and also makes way for the health benefits of blackstrap molasses which includes regularization of bowel movement, arthritic pain relief and restoration of color to graying hair.