The Perfectly Cooked Chicken

The Perfectly Cooked Chicken

The perfectly cooked chicken is a myth to many. After countless attempts at pulling a perfectly cooked bird from the oven ending only with dry, coarse meat and Chinese delivery, the confidence is deflated. Well, ring the dinner bell, invite friends over and get out your crock-pot, because we have the method to cooking a chicken that will bring your kitchen confidence back in less than 8 hours.

THE PROCESS

Simple eating of natural foods and ingredients, eliminating processed foods high in sugars and syrups is a healthy habit that becomes easier as the weather warms and fresh produce is readily available. Simple eating begins with simple cooking, which is exactly why this chicken was introduced. There is no butter or oil in this recipe, so the natural juices of the bird can really come through, enhanced by the fresh onion and seasonings. Cooking it low and slow ensures moist meat, where an oven can easily dry it out before you have even set the timer. It also ensures that you can carry on your day without worrying about being present to watch, baste, rotate and remove.

THE USES

Having a fridge full of shredded chicken makes your world a lot easier. Mix it in with mayo, celery, salt and pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice; stuff it in a pita for lunch. Make a one-pot chicken noodles wonder by transferring all the chicken meat from the slow cooker to a soup pot, adding in any onions you can find. Dice 2 carrots and 2 stalks of celery, 2 minced cloves of garlic and add to the pot along with 4 cups of chicken stock, salt and pepper, a pinch of poultry seasoning and a pinch of oregano. Bring to a boil and add 1 package frozen egg noodles to the pot – cook until tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Bump up a standard by adding it into your favorite homemade macaroni and cheese recipe. If you don’t have one follow this: boil 8 oz macaroni and drain, meanwhile melt 4 Tbsp. butter and add in 4 Tbsp flour, whisk until thick and light brown, add in 2 C. half & half slowly, whisking until thick, remove from heat and add 2 C. shredded Cheddar cheese, stir until smooth. Mix 1 C. shredded chicken into the pasta and add to a casserole dish, top with cheese sauce and mix to combine. Sprinkle top with 1/2 C. breadcrumbs and dot with butter; bake at 350 degrees until the top is brown and bubbly. Chicken tacos, enchiladas and quesadillas are simple solutions for taco Tuesday’s, and adding it to pasta tossed with olive oil, parmesan and toasted walnuts creates an elegant Friday night meal when paired with a glass of Pinot Grigio or your favorite white wine. So get out your slow cooker and start creating your own chicken meal masterpieces.

PERFECT CHICKEN

Use your slow cooker to create magic while you are at work or running errands and come home to juicy chicken that has fallen from the bone. Cook it on a Sunday and use it all week for chicken salads, casseroles and healthy protein whenever you want it.

1 whole chicken, rinsed and patted dry

1 large onion, sliced

1 Tbsp paprika

1 tsp salt (Lawrys salt if you have it)

1 tsp pepper

1.5 Tbsp garlic powder

2 Tbsp onion flakes

1. Turn the slow cooker to High heat
2. Layer the onion slices in the bottom
3. Set the chicken on top (breast down)
4. Mix all seasonings together and sprinkle over the top
5. Cook on High for 1 hour, turn down to Low for 6-8 hours
6. After 6 hours poke your chicken to see if it’s coming offthe bones yet, if not, let it go another hour or two.
7. If you are putting a frozen chicken into the cooker, increase your cooktime on High to 3 hours

Wilson Reservoir: The Clearest Lake in Kansas

Wilson Reservoir was formed by the construction of the Wilson Dam on the Saline River. The dam was built in 1964 in hopes of preventing area flooding. Today the area serves as a recreational oasis for boating, fishing, camping, and family fun! The beautiful blue water of Wilson Reservoir is also known as for being the clearest lake in Kansas. The water is able to stay clear because of the salt content brought in by the Saline River.

 Wilson Reservoir is located eight miles North of I-70 on Highway K-232. There is approximately 100 miles of shoreline and 9,000 water surface acres. 1966 Kansas Legislature established the Wilson State Park to the south of the reservoir known as the Hell Creek Area. The park continued to grow with the addition of the Oteo Area in 1984.

 The reservoir and park have thrived with the growing selection of recreational activities like nature and hiking trails, a 13-mile mountain biking trail and a full service marina.  The natural scenery surrounding Wilson Reservoir and Wilson State Park are unlike any other! The hills and buttes of red Dakota sandstone provide a beautiful backdrop for the clear water of the reservoir. A mixture of prairie grasses and wildflowers decorate the rolling grasslands surrounding the area. Overall, Wilson Reservoir is a treat for the senses and the soul. 

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For many people land is a dream or a memory.  To some it is a business or a financial asset.  To most people, because of the investment costs, owning land is an afterthought or a wishful idea.

Land ownership is typically thought to be reserved for the wealthy or those who have a stake in the land like the hard working farmers and ranchers who are the pride of Kansas.

Mark Twain famously quipped “Buy land, they’re not making any more of it!” Such a profound, yet simplistic statement. Read More

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The Wildlife Area has seen the impacts from the ongoing drought,  however some timely rains have set the stage for a great waterfowl season and upland habitat has been excellent for raising broods of Pheasants and Quail this summer.

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