Baked Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Spinach

I am finally back to my old routine after all the holidays in between and I was desperately seeking for a baked chicken recipe which is flavorful and easy to make for a busy weeknight. A friend of mine used to bake chicken thighs for our potluck dinners which were cooked to perfection and eventually it was wiped out clean by all of us. I and my family love chicken thighs because it’s the juiciest part!!! Thanks Meena for inspiring me to try this recipe!! And I took the liberty of improvising her recipe a bit.

This is a simple recipe made with easy-to-get recipes. And the juices that come out from this flavorful chicken in the pan after its baked is just heavenly!! Smelled like thanksgiving and christmas!!

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

 

Chicken thighs - 10 to 12 pieces

Crushed pepper - 2 tsp.

Salt - to your taste

Chillie flakes – 1 to 2 tsp. (depending on the heat you like)

Dried Herbs (I used parsley and basil) – Parsley 2 tsp. & Basil 1 tsp.  

Ginger Garlic paste – 1 heaped tsp.

A pinch of turmeric

Olive Oil

Garlic cloves - 5

Spinach – a handful

Potato wedges

Cooking or heavy cream – to your taste

Fresh Chopped parsley leaves

 

Method

Marinate chicken thighs overnight with crushed pepper, salt, chillie flakes, herbs, turmeric, olive oil and garlic pods.

Preheat oven at 170 degrees C.

In a pan fry the chicken thighs for 2 minutes on each side and keep it aside in a greased baking pan.

 

In the same pan fry the marinated garlic cloves and spinach leaves for a few minutes and add it to the chicken.

 

To this sprinkle potato wedges and cover it with foil and bake it for 45minutes and turn around the chicken pieces in between.

Then add cream to it depending on how creamy you like the sauce to be. Since I didn’t want too much cream I just added a little. And just mix and turn around the chicken thighs and bake for 5 more minutes.

Sprinkle fresh parsley leaves and serve it hot with your favorite salad and khubus. Enjoy making it!

Tips for you

You can use mushrooms instead of spinach.

Serve with mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts/ steamed broccoli or even pasta.

Instead of dried herbs, try using fresh herbs.

You can substitute heavy cream with milk.

Use baby potato instead of wedges.

Keep the skin on the chicken if you like it crisp.

Images are clicked by me






 

Artist of the month: Ana J.

I saw Ana’s work on instagram and her gallery was filled with endless appetite for beauty through her canvas and colours. I was instantly hooked on to her work. In her amazing art work she has infused the spirit of beautiful people and nature’s beauty. I love her attention to details and the way she fills each corner of her canvas, blending each colour so beautifully, filled with grace. Serenity oozes from each one of her art work with beautiful and calm colours. Ana is based in gurgaon and in her interview she shares her passion for art and beautiful thoughts.

Let’s view her work and hear more from Ana and her journey through art

 

 

 

 

A brief about yourself

I get up in the morning, sleep at night, and in between try to make this world a more beautiful and vibrant place to live in!

 

How did your journey as an artist begin?

When you have few hours to yourself, and you are all alone, there are just windows and doors to listen to you, and you know you are a quiet kind of a person, you know you have to give form and color to your thoughts and feelings before they die with you.  

How would you define art?

Art is too fluid a concept that it could be described in few words. If I had to put it simply, I would say Art is something that makes our life abundantly rich. Just look around yourself. The clock on your work desk, the way you arrange your food, your coffee mug, the way your bonsai is growing in the pot, the way creepers grow, the space between two flowers that grow side by side, all of it is ‘art’. Now just for a second visualize your life without this, how bare and lifeless it would be.

On another deeper/esoteric note, art is definitely not an end product that is a means of pleasure. Every piece of art is a place, a point in time, a phase in life where the viewer/observer meets the artist in thoughts, experiences, and feelings. So much so, that the viewer feels the thoughts that have been expressed were his own, and feels united with the artist in thought and mind.

 

What medium do you work on? And what's your inspiration for your artwork?

I do not restrict myself with medium. The objective is to express my thoughts and feelings, and the possibilities are endless.

However, on a more realistic and meaningful note, I use best quality art supplies for the quality and longevity of the artworks.

Inspiration can come from anywhere; it could be a bird in the sky, a cloud above my terrace, a walk in the garden, something I saw on the street, or an emotion too deep. And of course, the works of known artists are the treasure house of inspiration.

 

What is the most challenging aspect about your work?

Time is the most elusive aspect to my day. It is the most precious. Having uninterrupted, long duration of time and syncing it to the right energies even more.

 

What is your creative process like? And what keeps you motivated?

My creative process begins by centering myself, by withdrawing myself from all the worldly energies, and by creating a still in my environment. And after that it is all music, rhythm, fun and magical!

24 hours in a day, keep me motivated to make the most of them.

 

Have you had any exhibitions? What have you found to be the best way of getting your art noticed by buyers?

I have had some solo art exhibits at retail spaces. The response has been overwhelming.

I do not indulge too much in thoughts about selling art. I truly believe my purpose in life is just to create more art. And the rest of it will be taken care of by the good forces around me.

Having said that, I think the best way to get your art noticed is to create quality artworks.

 

Tell us a bit about your online shop.

It is not just an online shop; it is a philosophy, a belief, and a beautiful space, where you can enjoy “The Simple” in life!

At prettypinkpebbles.com you can pluck cherries, sleep on strawberries, run on rainbows, or simply wander aimlessly. And of course pick the piece of art that belongs to you!

 

Any tips or words of wisdom to aspiring artists who want to pursue a similar career.

Create more art.             

 

So if you love her work like I do, follow her on the following links

 

http://prettypinkpebbles.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myprettypinkpebbles/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ana_pebbles/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ana_pebbles

 

Enjoy her happiness project!

 

 

Images copyright Ana J.