This dish is a nice spring time meal. It's quick, easy, and full of flavor. I've been craving fruit, especially tropical fruits, so this pineapple dish hit the spot for me. I've been trying to cook as much as possible lately, though it's difficult.
I've entered the third trimester with twins and it's getting increasingly difficult to do even the most basic things like stand for more than 10 minutes, breathe, bend, sit, and so on. Mostly I just want someone else to cook for me, but that's not always an option!
I'm going to try to get a few things in the freezer over the next couple of weeks to have on hand for quick meals once the babies arrive. They will be coming right in the heat of summer, so I'm not sure what to make -- any suggestions? It's not really prime casserole or soup season then, which are the easiest things to put in the freezer sometimes.
This dish will make about 4 servings when served with a side of rice or couscous. It's a nice weeknight dish that comes together pretty quickly and makes some lunch leftovers for the next day (my favorite).
Pineapple chicken and snow peas
20 oz. can of chunked pineapple in juice
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon Sriracha
olive or coconut oil, for cooking
~1 lb. chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
3 scallions, sliced, greens and whites separated
2 garlic cloves, minced
8 oz. snow peas
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
1 cup rice or couscous cooked to package directions, for serving
Drain the pineapple juice into a medium bowl and set aside the pineapple chunks. To the bowl, whisk in the soy sauce, cornstarch, honey, and Sriracha. Set aside.
In a large skillet, heat about a tablespoon of cooking oil over medium heat. When hot add the chicken and let brown, stirring occasionally until cooked through. Stir in the scallion whites and garlic and cook for another minute. Stir in the sauce and let it come to a boil. Reduce the heat to simmer until the sauce slightly thickens and then stir in the pineapple and snow peas. Cook until heated through. Stir in the scallion greens and cilantro. Serve hot.
Good luck with the final stretch of your pregnancy! I have been doing a ton of freezer cooking ever since my son was born - here are some suggestions: pulled pork/chicken, meatballs (I usually freeze them raw), enchiladas, mac n cheese, pizza (the kitchn has a tutorial for making frozen pizza), burritos, taco fillings (Cooking Light recently had a great slow cooker brisket taco filling), sauces for quick pasta meals (pesto, marinara, meat sauce), fried rice, quiche/frittata. If you grill in the summer you could also freeze some raw chicken or other meat in marinade so that you can just throw it on the grill after thawing. And of course - freeze some baked goods and raw cookie dough so you can treat yourself to fresh cookies on those first sleep-deprived days!
ReplyDeleteThank you! And thanks for all the great suggestions! They all sound terrific.
DeleteThat looks very fresh and tasty. Indeed a great spring time meal.
ReplyDeleteThis is so perfect for spring! Love the pineapple!
ReplyDeleteYum! I've heard that pregnant women crave pineapple. :) I can't believe you're meeting your twins so soon! Maybe tacos would be good for summertime? You could make the meat and beans and freeze it and then just defrost and serve with tortillas, cheese, and lettuce.
ReplyDeleteIt is a bit difficult to make freezer-appropriate meals in the summer, isn't it? You might want to make some pasta sauces -- and then you can just thaw them, and toss with pasta. Or some slow-cooker BBQ pulled pork or chicken -- that's appropriate summer fare, and freezes well. Or maybe cook some beans and freeze them -- you can thaw them, then make them into a salad with tuna. Anyway, this dish looks wonderful! Probably wouldn't freeze that well, alas, but that means I'll have to have seconds. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Amy, looking forward to see your twins. At this time, its quite difficult to move around or stand too long but you still need some light exercise for smooth delivery. Wish you all the best.
ReplyDeleteNice pineapple chicken, look very appetizing.
For Asian we need to take hot food and drink lots of nutrition soup. Ginger fried rice is quick and easy to cook. Beside that stir fry ginger pork or chicken is also a quick dish. You can freeze it and warm it up before serving.
Have a nice week ahead,regards. Take care.
Amelia
Absolutely loving the sounds of pineapple chicken. And addition of snow peas sounds even more YUM! Lovely share.
ReplyDeleteDear Amy, I am thinking of you and wishing you nothing but the very best for the last trimester! Take the best care of yourself possible! The idea to freeze foods for after the babies arrive is a really good one. Pasta sauces are a great idea and so is a bit of cookie dough...and this dish today looks absolutely wonderful too!
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses! Take care & have a lovely long weekend,
Andrea
This sounds like a good meal, my husband loves dishes with pineapple. Since it is getting harder to cook, what about buying some rotisserie chickens and taking the meat off the bones and freezing in small packages. Defrosted you could add the meat to salads, sandwiches and pasta.
ReplyDeleteGreat meal! Bobby just picked up some snow peas so this is a perfect quickie for this week. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea adding pineapple to this chicken dish...I can imagine the tart and sweet flavors of the pineapple...
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a great week Amy :)
Yum - I love pineapple chicken & it's been AGES since I had it. Dinner soon, for sure. Hope you're feeling wonderful...the final stretch is so exciting :)
ReplyDeleteThe hubs would love this! Pinned!
ReplyDeleteMmmmmm this is a nice springtime meal idea! YUM! Pinned it! Thanks for linking up to the Friday Frenzy.
ReplyDeleteLove pineapple and chicken together, I can't wait to try this!
ReplyDeleteMy husband would love this - he adores anything with pineapple in it!
ReplyDelete