Thursday, February 17th, 2011

On my never ending road to…I’m not sure what, I took a canning class last weekend. When I told my husband I was going to spend my Saturday morning doing this, I have to say he did a double take. Unusual maybe, but I am always looking for my “next big adventure”.  I am also dying to learn how to make fabulous ice cream. That will be upcoming I am sure but last week, canning was the new adventure!

So the class was held at a little place called The Farmer’s Kitchen right in the heart of Hollywood – Hollywood and Vine actually, a very famous corner. It’s a really cool place that has wonderful classes that promote using fresh produce to create nutritious meals on a budget. The Farmers Kitchen creates an additional venue for farmers to market their goods directly, thereby helping ensure the economic stability of local farmers which is so important these days! If you can find a place like this in your area I highly recommend giving it a try – you’ll learn something new and support a great cause at the same time.

I learned how to make different types of jelly’s and jam’s and met some other amazing gals to boot.

Here is the delicious recipe for the blueberry jam we made:

Ingredients:

5c. blueberries

1Tbsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp nutmeg or cinnamon

51/2 c sugar

3/4 c water

1 package of regular powdered fruit pectin

YIELD 5X 8-oz jars

Directions:

1. prepare canning jars and lids (Ball jars website)

2. Wash and then crush BB in lg saucepan.  Add lemon juice, spice, and water. Whisk in Pectin until dissolved.  Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly for 1 minute.  Remove from heat and skim off foam.

3. Quickly ladle into your hot prepared jars, leaving a 1/4 inch head space.  Wipe ri.  Center lid on jar. screw band down until resistance is met, then increase to finger tip tight.

4. Place jars in caner pot ensuring they are completely covered with water.  Bring to a boil and process for 10 min.

Wait 5 minutes, then remove jars, cool, clean, label and store

yummy….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4MLKAPgMmU&feature=player_embedded

CBS Soaps In Depth, February 14, 2011

These days, DAYS OF OUR LIVES’ Steve and Kayla may be separated by a continent (she’s in Salem, while he’s in Africa) – not to mention a network – but their portrayers, Stephen Nichols (now Tucker, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) and Mary Beth Evans (Sierra, AS THE WORLD TURNS) recently got together for breakfast with a group of loyal fans.  Soaps In Depth was on the scene and chatted with the fan favorite duo about being apart, anniversaries, empty nests and being reunited on screen!

                                                                                 ——Michael Maloney

Soaps In Depth:  It’s great that you two get together with your fans even though you’re not currently working together.

Stephen Nichols:  A week after our event, our coordinator is on us to do another one.

Mary Beth Evans:  I always wonder, “Who’s going to come?  “I also have this child who’s a sports dude, and it’s hard to make plans [because he’ll have a game].  But I’m so happy to see people who I’ve gotten to know over the years.  Some make it a road trip to come out here.  They’ve made great friends with each other.  How swell is that?

 In Depth:  It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since you started working together.

Evans:  Yes.  It’s been 25 years since Stephen and I met.  I was married 25 years in November, and I started DAYS right after that.

Nichols:  I celebrated 26 years [of marriage] in October.

Evans:  We’re the rarities out here.

In Depth:  The first anniversary gift is paper; what’s for the 25^th?

Evans: (Wryly) Oh, I don’t go by that.  For me, it’s diamonds, diamonds, diamonds.  (Nichols laughs).

In Depth:  What’s it like working apart?

Nichols:  I think of Mary Beth quite often when I’m working on another show.

Evans:  Stephen and I are lucky in that we have a connection and a trust and a super-old friendship.  We don’t hassle each other, but if we don’t think something’s working, we’ll tell each other.  We’re not “divas” – we just get the work done.  We have been lucky to be on two different shows together.  (Evans and Nichols also played Katherine and Stefan on GENERAL HOSPITAL, in the late 1990s).

In Depth:  Could there be a third time, say at Y&R?

Evans:  I don’t see me going there.  There are too many people in my age range already there.

Nichols:  They recently hired another one, too.

Evans:  Maura [West, Diane, Carly, ATWT]?  She’s not in my age range.

Nichols:  She isn’t?

Evans:  No.  She’s a lot younger than I am.  I don’t see that as a possibility.

In Depth:  They could have you as a third in a triangle with Tucker and Ashley.

Evans:  That’d be cool.  We have such a track record.  GH, depending on who was writing at the time, did well by us.

Nichols:  The challenge at Y&R is that there are so many characters that they have to serve….so many really good actors.  I love the actors whom I’m working with.  The writing is a cut above the rest.  You wait until it’s your turn for stories.

Evans:  All the shows are like that.

In Depth:  Speaking of Maura, are you in touch with her?

Evans:  Yes.  We’ve been trading tests.  She sent me one about Stephen that read.   “He’s so gooooooood”  —- lots of “O’s.”  Also, I recommended my hairstylist to her.  I was in to see him years ago.  I’m in the middle of him working on my hair, then Lindsay Lohan came in, and he walks away!  I looked in the mirror and saw him with Lindsay.  [But] I couldn’t leave.  I was so irritated.  (Wryly) Thank goodness she’s busy now.  I need my attention!

Nichols:  Maura is great.  It’s the same with Eileen Davidson (Ashley).  She throws stuff at me on set that I don’t see [coming].  It’s the same with Maura.  There’s stuff coming at you that you can react to and play off of – it’s all good acting. 

In Depth:  Mary Beth, was the picture of your character’s daughter in your CRIMINAL MINDS episode your real-life daughter, Katie?

Evans:  Yes.  It’s like a Where’s Waldo? deal.  After I got the part, producers asked me if I could bring in photos  [from my real life] with my daughter.  Katie was like, “cool!  I have a cameo.”  I brought in some pictures of her, including one when she was a year old, and we were on a carousel at Disneyland.  My character’s daughter was murdered in the episode.  I asked Katie if she was okay with [the show using the photo].  She said, “I don’t care!”  My husband, who is so practical, said, “Can you not separate television from reality?”  So I gave them the pictures.  My daughter had to sign off on them.  It was very exciting.

In Depth:  Stephen, how are you and your wife coping with the empty nest?

Nichols:  The separation was [initially] very difficult.  But my daughter said she’s having such a great time at college.  She loves all her new friends.  We’re doing great.  It’s nice to be able to run around the house naked.

In Depth:  Do you have a favorite scene from over the years?

Nichols:  One of my favorites from DAYS was when Kayla was drunk.

Evans:  Shelly Henning, who plays our daughter [Stephanie on DAYS], told me recently that she saw that, and she loved it.  I love the scene where I took the patch off [Stephen].  I love the vulnerability that Stephen brings to his scenes.

In Depth:  Steve and Kayla were recently reunited when she returned to Africa to care for him.

Evans:  yes. Steve has malaria.

Nichols:  I do?  Steve has malaria?  They’re going to kill me off.

Evans:  (Wryly.)   But you know the body won’t be found.

 February 4th, 2011 by Mary Beth Evans

The last month has brought many highs and several lows. Some that are hard to wrap my head around. On the high, my kids were all home for about a month and now that they are adults or close to, we can really enjoy the “people” they have become. We had numerous meals out, laughing and sharing stories…such a delight. Our two older children were just happy to hang out with us, which was very sweet. My oldest son, at 23 now, says he can’t even fathom what all his conflicts were when he was in high school…thankfully neither can we (almost). It was a very gratifying time as a parent.

During this happy, “high” time with my own family, we experienced some very trying, “low” times with some friends. My close friend’s husband had surgery and we did as much as we could for him, visiting him often, bringing him food, etc. Watching my friend worry so much was difficult for me and I tried to offer anything I could, even just driving her around to do her errands. Anything to make it easier for her to deal with the stress.

While he was in the hospital some very close friends lost their 19 year old daughter suddenly. It rocked our entire town. I still cannot quite wrap my head around it. The minute I heard I ran to their house with homemade soup and hugged them so tightly. The next day when I knew all their family was coming to town I made the largest pot of pasta, fresh loaves of French bread and took that, along with everything to make Ceasar salad. Once again I dropped it off, hugged and left. I wanted so badly to comfort them, but did not want to intrude in such a private time. For me, I wanted to comfort them and food was a way I could. It was a long week of mourning and everyone is still so sad. This young girl was a friend to so many. I think over a 1000 people came to the memorial service. It was beautiful but so heartbreaking! I have my call into the mother’s closest friends to please put me on the list of people to help out in any way I can. Now will start the SLOW path to healing.

I realized during all of this is, that we are all these kids parents. Our kids have all grown up together – school, little league, etc.  Its times like this that we must all rally around and keep the parents buoyed and loved. I think you can not hesitate in a situation like this because you don’t know what to do or say…you just have to go for it with all your heart. As my friend (the father of this girl) said, the day his daughter died put the biggest hole in his heart and all the out pouring from friends and family is like one scoop at a time filling it back up.

We will all experience highs and lows in our lives. What’s important to remember is that when you are in the midst of a high, there will surely be some around you in the midst of a low. Be there. Do what you can. Even a little gesture can go a long way.

Thursday, January 6th, 2011

I can’t believe another year has gone by. It seems like yesterday I was sharing last year’s holiday adventures with all of you. Crazy! All of my kids are older and my two oldest live away from home so the holidays are a great time for us to be together. It is so fun for me to decorate the house, have a fire going and something great smelling baking in the oven for their return. It felt so warm and welcoming and we were all so happy to reunite.

A couple of days later we headed on our annual road trip to Colorado for Christmas. This year we went a day earlier and stayed a day later, so it was a nice vacation. It really gave everyone (mainly parents) the opportunity to relax. We had the big group of extended friends and their families for Christmas Eve. The food was amazing and like always a few of the guys bring out their guitars and one keyboard and start singing songs. Before you know it everyone is singing. It is such a happy memorable night for all of us.

On Christmas night my friend Carrie always makes turkey (leftovers) tacos. She sheds a head of lettuce and the Turkey, tosses in shredded cheddar cheese, a chopped onion, a little V8 juice and a little salsa. She then fries corn tortilla shells into folded taco shells….YUM.

We hung out a lot by the fire, everyone doing their own thing. Playing music, knitting (me), reading…whatever.  So nice and peaceful. Everybody skied or snowboarded and we all ate TOO much, but hopefully it was balanced out.

One night my friend Marty made this delicious pasta with short ribs you might want to try (recipe below).

All and all we filled our cups with love and friendship and returned home ready to tackle the new year!!!!!

(Modeling the scarf I knitted)

Pasta With Short Ribs:

• 4 pounds beef short ribs
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
• 5 Roma tomatoes, cut into eighths
• 1 cup red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 1 pound penne pasta
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions

Place an oven rack in the lower 1/3 of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Season the ribs with salt and pepper. In a large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or ovenproof stock pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. In batches, add the ribs and brown on all sides, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the ribs and set aside. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, wine and mustard. Bring the mixture to a boil and scrape up the brown bits that cling to the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Return the ribs to the pan. Add the beef broth, cover the pan and place in the oven for 2 1/2 hours until the meat is fork-tender and falls easily from the bone.

Remove the ribs from the cooking liquid. Using a large spoon, remove any excess fat from the surface of the cooking liquid. Using a ladle, transfer the cooking liquid in the bowl of a food processor. Process until the mixture is smooth. Pour the sauce into a saucepan and keep warm over low heat. Remove the meat from the bones. Discard the bones. Using 2 forks, shred the meat into small pieces. Stir the shredded meat into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and place in a large serving bowl. Using a slotted spoon, remove the meat from the sauce and add to the pasta. Pour 1 cup of the sauce over the pasta. Toss well and thin out the pasta with more sauce, if needed. Sprinkle the pasta with Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley before serving.

Posted by Tommy Garrett on Dec 30, 2010 – 11:52:33 AM

MALIBU—In our second part to Mary Beth Evans’s exclusive interview, the beautiful self-proclaimed beach girl discusses her work on the hit internet sensation “The Bay.” I caught up with the popular and talented star while she was on her way to the Rocky Mountains for the Christmas holiday. Mary Beth and I joked about her being too young to be a matriarch on a show like “The Bay.” “Initially it was a bit jarring, but then I read the script. Now I embrace it, Tommy. I get to work with Joe Lando, Tristan Rogers and Matthew Ashford, who I have known for decades, as we both were on ‘Days of Our Lives’ at the same time. So now, I’m playing my age, so to speak. It’s actually very liberating. Women in Hollywood find it difficult to get older, but I’m just going with it,” said Evans.

Evans finds herself returning to the popular role of Kayla Johnson this month on NBC’s “Days of Our Lives.” “I love returning in these recurring roles on the show. Right now I have so much going on in my life that it’s a perfect fit for me. I am just glad that the show’s producers and writers still like Kayla and it’s always exciting going back. That’s where most of my fans that watch me on ‘The Bay’ initially found me, now I’m known as the fairer half of the Patch and Kayla couple all of these years later. Stephen [Patch] and I have remained friends for years and he’s busy over at ‘Y&R’ right now, so he can’t return with me. So I’ll miss him this time around,” said Mary Beth.

Evans also has high praise for costar Lane Davies and her executive producer, Gregori Martin, who also created “The Bay.” Evans says that Davies adds such richness to the series and Martin is unbelievable. “Lane is one of the nicest and most professional actors in the business. I’m so honored to be working with him. My husband has gotten used to me over the past 25 years working with so many handsome men, but he knows that he’s number one, so he never worries,” said the actress. “And what can I say about Gregori [Martin]. He’s taken an idea and created such a wonderful series that is at this point at its best. I love everything about the show, and my character. I also believe that because people are so busy now with their lives, raising their families and with careers that the shorter eight-minute sequence for each episode works out great for them. And it’s an exciting few minutes, thanks to the wonderful writing Gregori and his team have been doing.”

Evans is an actress who has remained unaffected by her superstar status in the entertainment industry. She embraces every role she’s given and she’s most gracious about her fan base. “Well, I would call many of them friends after all of these years. They have been there for me, supporting every career move I’ve made and many of them are like family. And in case you think of calling me a matriarch, Tommy. I suggest you pick ‘beach girl.’ That describes me so much better,” concluded Evans.

She laughed the entire time she was doing the interview. Her positive energy and her beauty are captivating and her skillful acting is mind blowing. Evans can be seen later this month when Kayla returns to deliver the mother of all secrets in Salem. Mother, not matriarch. However, if you want to see Evans as the matriarch of “The Bay” tune in by going to thebaytheseries.com/.
“The Bay” is the best dramatic Internet series currently making the rounds on the Net. This show however is not going any place. Be sure to see the current episode, as it’s heating up for the big finale in February.

http://www.canyon-news.com/artman2/publish/On_the_Industry_1168/Take_Two_Mary_Beth_Evans_Exclusive.php

Mary Beth Evans, “The Bay’s” Leading Lady

Posted by Tommy Garrett on Dec 26, 2010 – 3:00:00 AM

MALIBU—Hollywood icon and one of our favorite leading ladies Mary Beth Evans spoke exclusively with Canyon News just before taking off to Colorado for her Christmas holiday with her handsome husband and family. The elegant, brash and exciting leading lady, who has starred on “Days of Our Lives” as Kayla Brady and “As The World Turns” as Sierra Montgomery is always witty and fascinating to talk to. Mary Beth is one of the most unaffected stars in the industry, and modest about her extremely powerful persona on screen and off. The star was voted Best Actress by her fourth grade classmates in Orange County. From there the blonde beauty, self-described “beach girl” set her sights on a performing career. At the age of 14, she got a job in a fast-food restaurant and had her older sister drive her to acting classes. Following graduation from Huntington Beach High School, Mary Beth spent five months in Europe before joining the prestigious South Coast Repertory Conservatory.

In the 1980s Mary Beth became half of the huge daytime super couple Patch and Kayla on NBC’s “Days of Our Lives.” Though very modest, Mary Beth is truly one of the first to be called a hot daytime ingénue, and now after 25 years of television and big screen accomplishments, the stunner has set her sights on the Internet. That’s right, like many distinguished actresses, Mary Beth is now starring as the matriarch in the web series “The Bay,” which was created by entertainment genius Gregori Martin of Lany Films. Martin is credited with creating the most successful continuing drama on the world wide web, and in addition to Evans, other big names have signed on. My “ATWT” costar Lesli Kay, who stars as Felicia on “B&B,” Lane Davies, Martha Madison and “Dr. Quinn” star Joe Lando have appeared on the series. “I am very excited about working with all of the stars on the show,” said Evans. “But it’s really fun to think of working with someone like Joe Landau, who like me is a family person and a hard working actor in the business, who puts the business aside for his family.”

The star is quick to give praise to all of her costars, but laughs when I ask her how she feels about playing the matriarch, something many leading ladies over 40 in Hollywood dread. “Tommy, initially that was a big shocker for me. Then I read the script and realized what an exciting role it is. She’s unstoppable, she’s disliked by many and has a checkered past. The role was just too good to pass up,” said Mary Beth. Her character Sara is filled with many secrets and the fun is just begging. Evans said, “She’s exciting, she’s like no other character I’ve played. I am really impressed by Gregori [Martin] and what he’s doing on his own. He took this idea and has made it a great series. I like the most recent episode, now not only is Sara multi-dimensional but all of the characters are more edgy. It’s where the show needs to be. I know in the first two episodes they had to introduce the characters and open everything up, but now it’s really action packed. Maybe this time you and I will get a chance to act together, since we both were on ‘As The World Turns,’ but didn’t have any scenes together.” Evans and I passed each other regularly in the hallways of the Brooklyn set at JC Studios, where “As The World Turns” was filmed until last summer.

 Mary Beth and I caught up in between her shopping for the holidays and before she departed to the Rocky Mountains to spend Christmas with family and friends. She’s not your typical Hollywood star, far from being a desperate housewife. She’s actually a soccer mom, who just put her youngest in college last summer and is looking forward to the future. “The Bay really is fun and something I think everyone would love to see. On a side note, please tell everyone including my fans of the series and my two dearest friends who do my website; Sherry [McCutcheon] and Sandra [McHale] to have a Merry Christmas and I look forward to speaking with you again in the new year, Tommy.”

Next week we will run our second part of Mary Beth’s exclusive holiday interview, where she goes into her character and “The Bay” a bit more in depth. To watch the most recent episode of “The Bay” go to http://www.thebaytheseries.com/. 　

Photographs are Courtesy: The Bay Productions and Lany Films

http://www.canyon-news.com/artman2/publish/On_the_Industry_1168/Mary_Beth_Evans_The_Bay_s_Leading_Lady.php

Thursday, December 23rd, 2010

It is so funny how things are now. My kids are coming home from far away places to gather for the holidays…Geez it seems to happen so fast that we as parents are sitting on “the other side.”  Just this week we heard our youngest son got into college and then… that’s that for pete sake….empty nest is around the corner. What happened to my babies? Of course we all know what blood, sweat and tears goes into raising our children, but hind site is so blury for me.  Now my husband and I are so sentimental about little kids. Last night he invited this adorable family to our house for dinner.  Their kids are 3 and 20 months. My two older kids shared the fun with us and we all sat at the table and enjoyed lasagna I made since their mom told me it was one of their favorites.  Their 3 year old daughter did a mini concert of Christmas songs for us and we were all in love.  What a treat!  I thought about how much fun they will have at Christmas!  With my “old kids” we have to wake them up Christmas morning or it easily turns into the afternoon before we see them.  The years of “holding them back” was so fun! Enjoy those little ones – they will be all grown up before you know it.

To get into the holiday spirit, I made a few pies for my neighbors and I thought I would share a few pictures.

Happy Holidays!!

Thursday, December 9th, 2010

As you may or may not know, my husband and I have raised our children Jewish. I was not raised Jewish and actually had little knowledge of the faith, customs or heritage. Not to mention the FOODS of the holidays. As the years passed I learned a lot alongside our children. I cannot read from the Torah like my kids but I can make a mean brisket and an even better Kugel.  I could write about so many things I have learned and enjoyed over the years but the list would be too long. I will say I love that many of the Jewish traditions and holidays are celebrated at home.

There are 4 families that we are very close to that just one of the two parents are Jewish. We get together for a big passover meal in the spring and I get out my books and make sure I have all the symbolic foods placed on the Seder plate. A couple of years ago I even made my own Haggadah. I always felt that my husband skipped over the important parts so I searched the internet and pieced my own together. It was awesome and has become the traditional one we use every year.

In the beginning years I will admit it was all so daunting. But I embraced it, researched it and threw a little Martha Stewart at it. One year for our annual Hanukkah party, Katie and I made Yarmulke clad gingerbread boys. You have to work a little harder and be creative when you don’t have all the commercial cuteness that goes along with other holidays. This year she made a fun cake. We all are so happy when we light the menorah candles and our uncle Marty sings the blessing, so we can all try to follow along.

Like many things in our lives memories have been born. We all look forward to getting together and celebrating and feeling the “brotherhood” I guess I will call it. No matter what your faith is make the holidays meaningful and festive and make some lasting memories!

Wednesday, November 24th, 2010

As far back as I can remember my mother would fix things herself. A hammer and a screwdriver and she was ready to go.  I have always felt I could do things myself as well. I have painted all the rooms in my house myself, l planted all my plants and am constantly moving things around. My oldest son Danny would often ask me when I had commandeered him to help me move things around, “couldn’t you pick a hobby that didn’t require me moving furniture?”

Well last spring it finally caught up with me. I had some furniture in storage and I wanted to bring a cabinet to my house. I brought over my younger son and his friend to help me. The one person I should have left out of the equation was ME. The cabinet was on top of another and as one boy pushed it to the side where I was standing, I very quickly realized it was far too heavy for me to hold. I knew if I let go it would crush me, so I held on, feeling like every organ was popping out of its slot and every vertebrate compressed. As the other boy ran around to help and relieve me, I knew what just happened was not good!!! Soon after I complained to my husband that I felt like I had “cellulite cancer”…the ache in my hips wouldn’t go away. It got so bad that getting up from a seated position was a painful and somewhat clumsy situation. I was really starting to fear I was going to live my life with this or possibly even worse.  

I decided to go to a yoga class at my gym. The instructor asked if anyone had injuries and I spoke up. She told me in her early 20’s she had a hip injury and could barely get out of bed.  She gave me a few specific thigh rotation exercises to do on my own but the class changed everything. All that stretching and strength building using your own body weight has been amazing. I have an IPhone so I downloaded an amazing app of yoga practices that I can do at home as well. I feel 1000% better and am re-committing to doing it every day. I am the worst about exercise. If anything better pops up I do that instead. But like a alcoholic hitting rock bottom, I am trying to incorporate this into my day. For me if something seems too difficult like say the stair master or elliptical, I will avoid it forever. Yoga has been the first thing I have found that I do not avoid.

The good thing about yoga is you do what you can and then before you know it you are trying new things and going further. Not to mention stopping the madness of your day and quieting your mind. That may sound hokey, but it is really fabulous for both your mind and body and has changed my life. If you cannot get to a gym, I highly recommend Baron Baptiste Live yoga DVD. Give it a try…I promise you will feel amazing!

Friday, November 12th, 2010

This past weekend 9 women gathered in Colorado from around the country to celebrate my best friend Carrie’s “landmark” birthday. One from New York, one from Boston, one from Louisville, one from Colorado and five from southern California. Some of us had met before, some had not. What an amazing time we all had. It’s a true testament to her that she has so many friends that are all so kind and generous in spirit. We hiked some amazingly beautiful trails, and chatted our heads off while getting that heart rate up. All nine of us shuffled around the town to the shops and gave each other opinions about possible purchases. We hung by the fire and talked our heads off…about our lives, children, beauty, diet and exercise. Nothing was off limits. Going away with a bunch of women was so great. I think we all walked away with a little more knowledge and understanding about each other and about life in general. We go through our lives doing the best we can…trying to cope with things that we don’t necessarily have the “training for.” A little advice from others, a little encouragement and a lot of laughs helped us all. Maybe we will turn it into an annual event…I sure hope so!

The final night we collectively prepared a feast.  Chicken Curry. I must admit I don’t like curry, but this was delicious! Below is the recipe if you want to try it. I have included a little video of our collaborative efforts but please forgive our “right out of the shower” appearance…

Cynthia’s Chicken Curry Recipe
Serves 8
 
Ingredients:
4 whole boneless skinless chicken breast
16 medium to small onions
4 small containers of small mushrooms
2 jars of mango chutney
cayenne pepper to taste (approx 1 tspn)
curry to taste (approx 1 T)
salt and pepper to taste
2 qts of light cream (preferable) or half and half
2 whole heads of garlic chopped finely
chopped toasted, unsalted peanuts
toasted coconut
chopped raisins
 
Instructions:
slice the onions THINLY
slice the mushrooms
cut the chicken into bite size pcs. not too small
saute some garlic with each batch
in separate batches saute the onions, mushrooms and garlic in a large deep frying pan (the onions should be cooked until almost caramelized)
after you saute the batches put them in the dutch oven
pour to cover all of that with the half and half or light cream
add the curry, cayenne, salt, pepper and mango chutney
stir and put on stove bring to simmer for 15 minutes uncovered, stirring not to burn
If you want to (and it is better this way) let cool and put in the fridge over night
 
OR

cook covered in a 350 oven for 30 minutes
cook for 30 more minutes uncovered
serve over basmati or jasmine rice with peas
garnish with peanuts, coconut and raisins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWDbxizOH7A&feature=player_embedded