If your tired of eating chicken, it may be because you prepare it the same way over and over without making any adjustments to the recipe.  Chicken has to be the most economical, ‘can’t go wrong with it’ protein on the market. It’s inexpensive and easy to prepare. If you don’t know how to cook chicken then you may want to consider purchasing my cookbook “From My Taste Buds To Yours.”  On the other hand, if you’re tired of eating the same old boring chicken; changing the recipe usually results in a meal that is much more satisfying and appreciated. Adding vegetables, different spices and herbs enhances and creates a huge difference in taste.

Kalamata olives are usually packaged in a tangy brine. I always try to keep a jar on hand and use them to add that extra zing to a meal, such as stewed chicken. I wasn’t raised on olives but my culinary passion has led me to a new found appreciation.  I appreciate robust flavors and use a variety of herbs and spice.

Growing up in Jamaica, stewed chicken…actually Brown Stew Chicken is the name of the dish, was prepared in most homes in Jamaica on a Sunday. It was accompanied by rice and peas and a salad comprised of tomatoes, lettuce and cucumbers.  Browning would be added to give the stew and chicken a brown hue. Some variations look more black than brown to me, but to each his own. My grandma made the best brown stew chicken and the best of everything culinary. As you can see, her traits have been passed down to me; sorta like a generational blessing. A domesticated blessing that is. I have never seen one woman to cook and clean like she does. Now because of her I have OCD, but I like it that way. It keeps me calm and focused. If you wanna hear me scream or turn into a crazed woman, all you gotta do is  dirty something up or put something outta place (in my home). If it’s your home, I couldn’t care less, and wont try to dictate, because I don’t live there and you’re entitle to do whatever you want to at your house.

Anyway grandma Dulcie always made some slamming meals. She would prepare young chickens for me every Sunday because I hadn’t learned to appreciate the taste of the ‘old fowl’ which we call ‘hens’ today. Now that I’m older I can’t get enough of those old fowl. I guess it took some time for my palate to mature, but I sure do appreciate and love my grandma. She and her stewed chicken is the ‘bestest!’