“I’m tired of plain old steamed chicken breast….”

Well, it doesn’t have to be plain! Staying with the keeping it simple principle, you can literally throw together a nice marinade for your chicken and you’ll create a brand new dish which is certainly not boring!

One of the things I enjoy most about cooking is that you can literally play. I love baking as well, but in baking you can’t really alter the amount of baking soda you use, for example! With cooking, you can put in a little of this, a lot of that and just see what happens to the flavor!

Try approaching it with a theme idea: Are you in the mood for an Asian Style Chicken? Try creating a marinade with fresh ginger, garlic, sesame oil, soy sauce and rice wine vinegar!

How about an Italian-inspired theme: try basil, extra virgin olive oil, fresh garlic and tomato puree.

Perhaps you’d like to go Indian? Nonfat yogurt, cumin, turmeric, garlic and a squeeze of lemon would be perfect!

Flip through some cookbooks next time you’re at the local bookstore, visit some of the great cooking sites to get ideas- it truly can be fun! As you learn more recipes and what you do and do not like, it gets even more easy and entertaining to be a self-taught chef! Not only will your palate be pleased, but your family or significant other will thank you as well for preparing delicious meals!

Bon Apetit!