We receive many wonderful food gifts during the holiday season, for which I'm truly grateful. Most of the gifts are delicious sweet treats, such as cakes and cookies. And wine. We always get quite a few bottles of wine. And there's one particular item that I look forward to receiving every Christmas--a bottle of barbecue sauce, given to my husband by a business associate. It's their own secret recipe, tangy and full of smokey chipotle flavor, which I love. And it was perfect for yesterday, when I was very tired and didn't feel like cooking anything complicated. It transformed chicken thighs into a special meal, with almost no effort. Well, I did have to open the bottle, pour it on the chicken and stick the pan in the oven. I served it with a simple salad of shredded jicama, carrots, bell pepper, chopped green onions and cilantro. This also tastes very good by wrapping a warm tortilla around the chicken and some of the salad.
Jicama Slaw
If you've never had jicama, give it a try. It's a light brown root with a crispy texture similar to water chestnuts. It tastes very good in salads. For this slaw, I peeled half of a smallish jicama and julienned about a cup of it and added that to an equal amount of julienned carrots and red bell pepper. It can be made spicier by adding shredded jalapeno, if you wish. I added a chopped scallion and cilantro, and poured a simple vinaigrette made with 3 Tablespoons olive oil, juice from one lime, a pinch of salt and ground pepper and I dash of cayenne pepper.
Mmmm That Chicken Thigh is calling out to me! Happy Holidays......
Posted by: Kirk | December 27, 2006 at 11:02 PM
I like anything with smokey and pepper/chilli flavor in it! You made great combination of food!
My in-laws totally loved the cranberry conserve and citrus salt! Sher, thanks again for the splendid recipes and idea!!!
Posted by: gattina | December 28, 2006 at 05:21 AM
I love jicama! It's got such a clean, light flavour. And I'm completely coveting your bottle of homemade sauce.
Posted by: s'kat | December 28, 2006 at 06:41 AM
I have annual Christmas food gifts that I look forward to getting as well. One is the jar of pickles or pickled beans that my stepsister makes every year--yum! The other is one that I got through my old job so I will never get again: two jars of the best homemade jams in the universe, from a lawyer I worked with. I guess I do miss one thing about my old job after all!
Posted by: Shannon | December 28, 2006 at 11:18 AM
So it's not overly spicy? My fear is what it will do to my acid reflux (got gerd), which is why I kind of shy away from spicy foods. My husband hates that I shy away from them, but in the long run I know he would thank me too because he gets sick too from too many spices.
Posted by: Jennifer | December 28, 2006 at 04:33 PM
The chicken is making my mouth water. I need it quick... Happy holidays Sher and have a wonderful new year.
Posted by: mandira | December 29, 2006 at 08:56 AM
Sounds like a winner on the sauce and I know the Jicama Slaw is delightful. Jicama may not be pretty in it's peel but clean it up and dress it and it's a star! Excellent dinner!
Posted by: Tanna | December 29, 2006 at 10:57 AM
oh yum! that chicken looks excellent and posotively mouth watering. the pic is beautiful and now i must have bbq chicken. chris would love it! i almost got a tin of fancy mustard gift but someone stole it right out from under the tree!!! :)
Posted by: aria | December 29, 2006 at 11:29 AM
Oh, how I love jicama. Thanks for reminding me of it Sher. It's been a long time since I've used it. And that sauce sounds just wonderful for one of those quick meals when you're just too weary to cook.
Hope you're enjoying the holidays!
Posted by: Christine | December 29, 2006 at 11:48 AM
I never eat jicama but this salad sounds so good, I'm going to have to start. It's always good to find a nice winter salad recipe.
Posted by: Julie | December 29, 2006 at 01:32 PM
And it looks divine. Perfect for when you just don't have the energy. Or have a craving for BBQ. The salad looks so fresh and crunchy lovely too.
Posted by: Glenna | December 30, 2006 at 10:43 AM
Yum--I love chicken thighs--you can do so much with them, and they're so much more flavorful than the breast. The salad looks beautiful, too!
Posted by: Sarah | December 30, 2006 at 05:50 PM
After never giving jicama a moment's thought, one suddenly appeared in our home. My wife had picked up one at our produce market and julienned some--about half a small one, as you did--and added it to a simple mixed greens salad I was making. I think the crunchiness added as much interest as the taste did.
Will now have to try it using your recipe.
Posted by: Terry B | December 30, 2006 at 06:10 PM
I love jicima and use it alot. This sounds good..and I crave spicey food. Looks delicious...and a fabulous food photo.
Posted by: Melly53 | January 01, 2007 at 08:22 PM