Chicken and Vegetables In Parchment.               

Cooking in parchment is a quick and easy way to enjoy low fat meals.  No pots or pans to bother cleaning.  The ingredients steam in the parchment in the oven creating a delicious blend of flavors.  Our readers may use Aluminum Foil instead of parchment paper.  Steaming is very popular in the Chinese culture. 

It is possible to got the same effect by steaming in a wok.  However, we prefer to keep out the extra oil in this dish by steaming in parchment.  Our readers have suggested we serve up light and tasty meals this month because they have gorged themselves for the holidays. 

Our recipe is simple and takes minutes to prepare before wrapping in foil and cooking in the oven.  You can substitute the chicken with pork or shrimp if you like.  Vegetarians can just omit the meat all together.  Spoon the chicken and vegetable medley on top of a bed of sticky short grain rice.  A light delicious entree.     

Ingredients: 
Chicken Breasts-2 bones and cut in to strips. 
Broccoli-1 1/2 cups. in small pieces. 
Carrots-1 cup sliced. 
Onion- 1/2 cup sliced. 
Water Chestnuts-4 oz, sliced. 
Sesame Oil-1 teaspoon. 
Mushrooms-1-cup sliced. 
Green Pepper-1 in long narrow strips. 
White Pepper-1/2 teaspoon. 
Salt-1 1/2 teaspoons. 
Black Pepper-1/4 teaspoon. 
Chili Powder-1 teaspoon. 
Allspice-6 seeds crushed. 
Garlic-3 cloves chopped. 
Soy Sauce-1 teaspoon. 

Marinade:  Cornstarch-1 heaping teaspoon. 
Peanut Oil-3 tablespoons. 

Instructions: 
In a bowl mix the cornstarch and peanut oil until well combined.  Place the chicken strips into the bowl and coat with the cornstarch and oil mixture.  Cover and let marinate for 20 minutes.  In a large piece of Aluminum Foil layer the chicken strips, broccoli, carrots, pepper, onions, mushrooms, garlic and water chestnuts.  Sprinkle with the salt, chili powder, allspice and add the soy sauce.  Wrap the ingredients tightly in the foil.  Make sure it is well sealed.  Place on a cookie sheet.  Bake in a preheated 350F degrees oven for 45 minutes.  Serve immediately.  A tasty and healthy dish.  If you are a string bean lover add in some of those too