Recipes: Chicken Paprikash and Balsamic Salmon

Growing up my mom used to make Chicken Paprikash. It was one of my favorite soups. I loved the flavor, I loved the dumplings and I loved that it had sour cream in it. It was so simple, yet so yummy and comforting. I have been craving it so last night I made some for the family. They loved it (well, all but Nan, and she'll just have to get over it). I got the recipe from my aunt, since I couldn't find my moms original recipe, but it tasted just like hers. I made a few adjustments because I didn't have a few ingredients (red pepper flakes and wondra flour).

Chicken Paprikash

1 onion (chopped)

1 clove garlic (minced)

2 1/2 lbs. cut up chicken (I used boneless skinless thighs)

2 Tbs. Paprika (sweet Hungarian paprika)

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. red pepper

2 c. water ( I used 2c. chicken broth and then water to cover chicken)

Saute onions and garlic in olive oil. Add cut up chicken and brown. Add paprika, salt, pepper, then water. Simmer 1 1/2 hours or till chicken is cooked through.

To make dumplings:

2 c. regular flour

1 c. wondra flour

3 eggs

1 c. milk

Combine all ingredients and drop into boiling water (I added a little broth to this) and cook for about 15 minutes, or until done.

To Thicken Broth:

1 Tbs. flour

1/2 pint of sour cream

Mix together and add some of the hot liquid to this. Stir and pour back into soup. Cook a little longer and serve.

*NOTE: I probably used more flour to thicken and I used a little bit of milk as well. I'd like to try this substituting plain yogurt for the sour cream.

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On Sunday I had to throw together a lunch because our lunch plans fell through. I lined a baking pan with parchment paper. Then I took 4 salmon fillets out and thawed them quickly in the microwave. Then in a bowl (and I apologize because I didn't measure anything out) I added some balsamic vinegar, olive oil, pepper, dill, garlic powder, and a dash of season salt. I dipped the fillets in the mixture till they were coated and then placed them on the parchment paper. Baked at 400 till they were done. Oh Yum-O. They were tender and full of amazing flavor.

I also found some really small potatoes at Trader Joes. I cut them in half, tossed them with chopped onion, garlic powder, pepper and a touch of season salt and roasted them in the oven with the salmon. So much flavor, they could be eaten without anything else.