" There once was a shamrock named Pat,

Who tripped on a root and went splat.

She ripped her best leaf,

And sobbed in her grief,

and ruined her favourite hat."

Recipe of the Week; MORROCAN-INSPIRED YOGURT CHICKEN

Several years ago we had dinner at our friends Ismail and Firas's house. Ismail was born and lived in Morocco most of his life, so it was a real treat to enjoy some authentic Moroccan cuisine, his yogurt chicken was one of the most delicious chicken dishes I've ever had. It was especially nice that he had several ingredients and spices that he had brought with him from his native country.

The whole meal was spectacular- his yogurt was homemade and he served some with dinner as well. They also offered a dish prepared with ground lamb, and the dinner ended deliciously with Firas' homemade baklava and mint tea.

I had about 3/4 of a 32-ounce container of plain yogurt left from a pineapple dipping sauce I made a few days ago to go with some of my homemade coconut shrimp, and I wanted to get is used up before it went bad.

The yogurt got me thinking of Ismail's chicken, and I went on an internet recipe safari and found hundreds of recipes, but one in particular from cooks.com caught my fancy. It was simple, and I had just about everything at home to make it. The sauce was very unique, not quite like Ismail's, but it was a nice blend of flavors and I know I'll make this recipe again. Attempting to stay as authentically Moroccan as I could, I served the chicken with couscous. I remember Firas telling me that raw vegetables are rarely served "salad-style" with dressing, but rather just chopped up and mixed in with all the other foods on the plate. To complete the meal I had carrots, romaine lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers chopped into small pieces and available to just throw on the plate and mix in with the couscous. I think Ismail would be proud.

1 c. fine dry bread crumbs

1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese

1-2 tbsp. dried minced onion

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. seasoned salt

1/4 tsp. dried oregano, crushed

1/4 tsp. dried thyme, crushed

Dash pepper

4 whole med. chicken breasts, skinned & halved*

1 (8 oz.) carton plain yogurt

1/4 c. butter, melted

2 tsp. sesame seeds

Creamy Yogurt Sauce (recipe follows)

In a pie plate stir together bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, onion, garlic powder, seasoned salt, oregano, thyme and pepper. Rinse chicken; pat dry. Coat chicken with yogurt; roll in crumb mixture. Place chicken, meaty side up, in a lightly greased 15 x 10 x 1 inch baking pan. Drizzle butter on top. Sprinkle with sesame seed. Bake, uncovered, in a 375 degree oven for 45-55 minutes or until tender. Serve with Creamy Yogurt Sauce. Makes 8 servings.

CREAMY YOGURT SAUCE:

In a medium saucepan, stir together:

1 (10 3/4 oz.) can condensed cream of chicken soup

1 (8 oz.) carton plain yogurt

1/2 c. chicken broth

1 tsp. lemon juice

1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Dash garlic powder & seasoned salt

Cook over low heat until heated through, stirring occasionally. Makes about 2 1/2 cups.

*NOTE The recipe calls for chicken breasts, however we're big fans of dark meat, so I used a pack of thighs instead. Also, I can't do chicken without the skin, so of course I left it on... it was so crispy and yummy so I highly encourage it!

APOLOGIES

My sincerest apologies to those who check in regularly... February has not been as LOVEly of a month as I would otherwise prefer- the death of a dear and special friend has my attentions focused elsewhere.

Please check in from time to time, however, soon I look to get back in my regular schedule. God Bless you all, and please- always wear your seatbelt!

Safety Belt Statistics

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  One out of every five drivers will be involved in a traffic crash this year.
  
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  Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among people age 44 and younger and the number one cause of head and spinal cord injury.


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  Approximately 35,000 people die in motor vehicle crashes each year. About 50 percent (17,000) of these people could be saved if they wore their safety belts.


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  More than 90 percent of all motorists believe safety belts are good idea, but less than 14 percent actually use them.


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  For every one percent increase in safety belt use, 172 lives and close to $100 million in annual injury and death costs could be saved.


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  Safety belts when used properly reduce the number of serious traffic injuries by 50 percent and fatalities by 60-70 percent.


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  For maximum protection safety belts should be fastened before traveling any distance or speed. Seventy-five percent of crash deaths and injuries occur within 25 miles of home. More than half of all injury-producing motor vehicle crashes involve low speeds under 40 m.p.h.


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  Motorists are 25 times are more likely to be killed or seriously injured when they are "thrown clear" than when remain inside their vehicle.


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  In a 30 m.p.h. collision an unbelted 160 lb. Person can strike another passenger, crash through a windshield and/or slam into the vehicle's interior with a 4,800 lb. force.


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  Motorists can increase safety belt usage by example and verbal reminders. Nine out of 10 people buckle up when asked.


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  Safety belt use is one of the best defenses against the unpredictable actions of the drunk driver.


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  Today over 25 countries around the world have some type of mandatory safety belt law. Results of these laws were measured; usage rate went from 20-25 percent before passage to 60-90 percent after passage.


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  A common cause of death and injury to children in motor vehicles is being crushed by adults who are not wearing safety belts. On out of four serious injuries to passengers is caused by occupants being thrown into each other.


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  About 80 percent of all injuries to children in car crashes are injuries to the head, causing brain damage, permanent disfigurement, epilepsy or death.


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  Of every 100 children who die in motor vehicle crashes at least 80 would survive if they were properly secured in an approved child safety seat or safety belts.


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  Three out of four families with child safety seats fail to use them correctly. Adults need to follow manufacturer's instructions and secure seats properly before every trip.


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  An estimated 80 percent of American children area immunized against contagious diseases, but less than 10 percent are properly restrained when riding in a motor vehicle.