Chicken and Buckwheat and Salad, Oh My!

In my pantry today:

• 2 c Colonel Cat’s Crock Pot Chicken* pulled meat
• 2 c Colonel Cat’s Crock Pot Chicken* stock
• 1 c buckwheat Kasha
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp hot red chili powder
• 3 c leftover salad mix
• 1 shaved carrot
• 2 tbsp fresh blueberries
• 1 tbsp golden raisins
• 2 tbsp feta cheese
• 4 tsp olive oil
• 4 tsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp balsamic vinegar

Because I am a little overwhelmed with fatigue right now, yesterday my better half set the thawed whole fryer from the fridge to be ready for me to contend with on a level today which far surpasses that of general convenience foods. I separated the broth from the carcass and the meat from the bones. Then I fed the dogs a little of the super soggy crock pot chicken skin before tossing the bones. The chicken came out so tender and fragrant; it was a natural complement to whatever approached to shake its hands.

*Colonel Cat’s Crock Pot Chicken:

• 1 2lb whole naked fryer
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2. tsp salt
• 6 c water

Did someone call the colonel?

I picked up a box of Kasha at the store yesterday — I admit to never having heard of it before, though it appeared to be an answer to my consistent “make sure there’s protein without meat” dilemma. I took a chance and was rewarded handsomely. It cooks up like a cross between pearl couscous and steel cut oats, and because I substituted stock for water it came out with a fragrance and flavor that crooked a finger for the chicken to come hither. Toss the pulled meat, 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp red hot chili powder with the Kasha. Set aside.

Ring the inside of a large bowl with salad greens and top with raisins, blueberries and carrots. Scoop a dollop of the chicken and Kasha combo into the middle then top the bowl with feta cheese. Seal the deal with a little olive oil, lemon juice and balsamic vinegar. This was a surprisingly wonderful combination — I did not expect to like buckwheat at all, but that may have been largely due to the fact that I assumed Eddie Murphy would not be as delicious as he may have once been. Now, I know the true face of buckwheat. 5 stars!