Chef Michel Stroot, author of the best-selling Golden Door Cookbook, uses Golden Door’s own four-acre organic garden for his mostly vegetarian dishes, and he adorns the menu with classic summer fare, like this low-fat recipe that he calls “an outstanding example of a simple American favorite.”
Ingredients
2teaspoonscanola oil
½cupdiced onions
1tablespoongarlic finely minced
¼cupcider vinegar
¼cupSplenda Brown Sugar Blend (or Brown Sugar)
1-3/4cupstomato puree- canned or fresh
¾cupfreshly brewed strong coffee
½cupvegetable broth- or water
⅓cupdark molasses
1dried chili- such as ancho, softened in water, drained and chopped
1teaspoonfresh rosemary- chopped
¼cinnamon stick
1whole clove
1bay leaf
44 ouncechicken breasts- skinless, boneless, and trimmed of fat
1 to 2teaspoonsfresh lime juice- or lemon juice, if you prefer
Pinchfreshly ground black pepper
1pinchChives or Scallions- per person
Instructions
The ancho chiles should be stemmed and seeded, then soaked in hot water for about 15 minutes. Longer soaking time will drain the anchos of their flavor; less time won't soften them enough.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Prepare a charcoal or gas grill or preheat a stove-top grill.
In a small saucepan, heat 1 teaspoon of the oil over medium heat. Saute the onions and garlic for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring until the onions are translucent. Add the vinegar and brown sugar and simmer, stirring, for 5 minutes, until the sugar dissolves.
Stir in the tomato puree, coffee, broth, molasses, chili, rosemary, cinnamon stick, clove, and bay leaf. Simmer for about 20 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
Strain and set aside. Reserve to use immediately or cover and refrigerate.
Spray the grill with vegetable-oil spray.
Rub the chicken breasts with the remaining teaspoon of oil and the lime juice and sprinkle with the pepper. Grill the chicken breasts just long enough so that diamond or square grill marks appear, about 5 minutes on each side. We'll be finishing these in the oven!
Transfer to a shallow baking pan just large enough to contain the breasts. Bake for about 5 minutes, or until the juices run clear.
Place a chicken breast on each plate. Serve the sauce on the side, with fresh lemon or lime to squeeze. Sprinkle with chives or scallions.
Spa Index Kitchen Notes
The breast is the leanest portion of chicken, which is why it's being served here. Of course you can use your favorite pieces of chicken, but they will require additional baking time and won't be as lean.
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