Cook of the Month

Don’t be chicken about this bird

Fried, baked or barbecued, in salad, soup or sandwiches, chicken can be one of the best low-calorie and lowfat sources of protein in our diet, and one that can provide important nutrients from pregnancy through our later years. Our readers sent us a variety of recipes using chicken in several different forms. Whichever is your favorite, it’s good to know that chicken offers both variety and nutritional value for your meal planning. Check out these benefits:

• Chicken has tryptophan, an amino acid responsible for raising serotonin levels in your brain. Serotonin is the

“feel-good” neurochemical linked with mood. • Dark and white meat chicken contains vitamin B12 and choline, which together may promote brain development in children, help the nervous system function properly and aid cognitive performance in older adults. • For those who struggle with chewing or swallowing foods, or with changes in taste, chicken is a versatile source of high-quality protein. Thirty grams of protein per meal also can benefit muscle growth and bone health. • Chicken provides under-consumed vitamins and minerals, and can be center of the plate for a heart-healthy, low-fat, low-cholesterol diet, such as the DASH diet. • Lean chicken meat is an excellent source of protein that the body can use easily. Foods high in protein may be a tool for managing weight and a normal blood sugar.

Source: Chicken Check In, a service of the National Chicken Council (NCC), based in Washington, DC. The NCC is the national, non-profit trade association representing U.S. chicken producers to provide information and help answer questions about how chicken is raised and processed in the U.S. NCC member companies include chicken producer/processors, poultry distributors, and allied supplier firms. The producer/processors account for approximately 95 percent of the chicken meat produced in the United States.

Deep Dish Chicken Pot Pie, recipe on page 32

For all the ways you can have chicken, sometimes it can be hard to get creative. At the Buttered Home, we took a traditional chicken casserole and jazzed it up a bit. Our Brooke Burks Mushroom and Swiss Chicken Casserole is a delicious spin on a classic. Taking sautéed mushrooms and pairing them with Swiss cheese breathes new life into this staple casserole recipe.

Photo by The Buttered Home

Mushroom and Swiss Chicken Casserole

2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded 1 teaspoon onion powder 8 ounces white mushrooms, cleaned and sautéed in 2 tablespoons butter 1 cup sour cream 14 ounce can cream of chicken soup 1 teaspoon pepper ½ cup water 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1½ teaspoons salt 1 cup swiss cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, mix sour cream, cream of chicken soup, water, paprika, onion powder, salt and pepper. Add in shredded chicken and sautéed mushrooms. Mix well. Fold in cheese. Pour in a slightly greased 9x13-inch casserole dish. Cover and bake 30 minutes. Uncover and bake another 10 minutes until the top is browned and bubbly.

Cook of the Month: Robin O’Sullivan, Wiregrass EC

Pizza with a chicken crust? Yes, it’s possible and Robin O’Sullivan’s recipe proves it can even be delicious, topped with chopped veggies, marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Robin, who is a vegetarian, makes the pizza for meat-loving friends like her boyfriend, John Tate, who says she’s very good at cooking meat even though she doesn’t eat it herself. If you still want to go meatless with this recipe, “you could use a meat substitute instead of the chicken,” she says. The crust doesn’t puff up like a traditional dough crust, but makes a perfect low-carb base for the toppings, she adds. Robin is a frequent contributor to our food pages, and this marks the third time she’s won Cook of the Month since 2017. She teaches history at Troy University’s campuses in Dothan and Troy.

Robin O'Sullivan and John Tate

Winter Vegetable Pizza with Chicken Crust

1 pound boneless chicken, breast or thighs ½ cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated 1 tablespoon garlic, minced ½ teaspoon salt 2 eggs ½ cup marinara sauce 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 2 cups chopped vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, kale), lightly sautéed beforehand

Cook the chicken via your favorite method (sauté it or cook in a CrockPot), then shred it and place in a large bowl. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray your pizza pan with oil (or line with parchment paper). Add parmesan cheese, garlic, and salt to the chicken. Add the eggs and mix well. Spread the chicken mixture on your pizza dish; the crust should be about ¼ inch thick. Bake 15 minutes, then let it rest for 10 minutes. Spread sauce, vegetable toppings, and mozzarella cheese on the chicken crust. Bake 10 more minutes.

Cook’s note: Alfredo sauce or pesto sauce can be used instead of marinara sauce. Swap out cheeses or vegetables. Personalize however you like.

½ lemon ½ lime ½ orange 1 tablespoon brown sugar ¼ teaspoon parsley flakes 2 tablespoons onion, finely chopped 2 tablespoons bell pepper, finely chopped 1 teaspoon butter or margarine 6 chicken tenderloins

In a large bowl combine the first 7 ingredients for a marinade. Squeeze the lemon, lime, and orange into a bowl and stir. Remove 1/3 marinade for basting, cover, and refrigerate. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Add chicken and marinade to the bowl and coat the chicken. Bake the chicken on an aluminum foil covered baking sheet covered with butter or margarine for 40 minutes. Turn once and baste after 20 minutes. Serve with mashed potatoes and a vegetable salad.

Joyce A. Harris-Stokes Tallapoosa River EC

Deep Dish Chicken Pot Pie

2 frozen deep-dish pie shells 1 large can chicken or smoked chicken 1 can English peas 1 can sliced carrots ½ cup milk

Salt and pepper 1 can cream of potato soup 1 can cream of chicken, mushroom or celery soup (celery soup recommended)

Slice or dice chicken into small bites. Mix all ingredients together and pour into one pie shell. Top with the other pie shell. Cut holes in the top to vent, 1-2-inches long. Place in a preheated 350 degree oven until shell is golden brown.

Beth McLarty Cullman EC 1 pound chicken pieces, cut up, rinsed and patted dry (or alternatively bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs) 1 medium-large onion, diced 1 red pepper, seeded and thinly sliced 1-2 tablespoons sweet paprika (recom mended: Szeged Hungarian paprika) 1-2 cups water or chicken stock (stock recommended) 8 ounces sour cream 1 tablespoon flour

Wide egg noodles, cooked or

Galushka dumplings (recipe below)

In 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, sauté the pepper and onion until the onion is transparent. Take the pot off the heat and add the paprika and chicken, then gently mix to coat the chicken. Add just enough water or stock to partially cover but not submerge the chicken; add a pinch of salt and return to the heat. Cover the pot and cook at a low simmer for an hour. Take the pot off the heat. In a separate bowl, mix the sour cream and flour until smooth. Temper this mixture by adding a little of the cooked chicken broth to the sour cream (this will prevent the sour cream from curdling) before adding the mixture to the pot. Mix the sour cream mixture into the pot sauce. Return the pot to the heat and very gently reheat the stew (absolutely do not let it boil, otherwise the sauce will curdle). Serve over wide egg noodles or the more traditional Galushka dumplings.

Galushka Dumplings: 2 large eggs 1-½ cups flour 2/3 cup water 2 pinches salt

Spaetzle maker (optional)

Lightly beat the eggs with water. Mix the flour and salt together, then gradually add the egg mixture to it to form a smooth, almost runny batter (adjustwith more water or flour). Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Bring a large pot of water to boiling. Using a spaetzle maker push the batter into the boiling water. The dumplings are ready when they float up after about 3 minutes. Alternatively, dip a teaspoon in the boiling water, take a scoop of batter and put in the water. The batter should just slide off the spoon. Repeat for the remaining batter. You can serve the dumplings separately or put them into the paprikash.

Louis Toth Arab EC

Easy Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce

1 pound chicken breasts, skin on if possible 12 10-inch flour tortillas 1 16-ounce package shredded

Monterey Jack cheese 1 28-ounce can green enchilada sauce 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 medium onion, sliced 4 tablespoons butter

Bake chicken in a 350-degree oven until juices run clear. Let cool, remove skin, and shred. While chicken is baking, add butter to a saucepan and melt over low heat. Add onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned/ caramelized. To shredded chicken, add cumin, chili powder and onions. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. LIghtly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Fill each tortilla with equal amounts of chicken mixture and shredded cheese, reserving some cheese for topping. Roll up each tortilla and place in baking dish. Cover with enchilada sauce. Bake 30 minutes. Top with reserved cheese and bake 5 minutes more.

Kathy Skinner Tallapoosa River EC

Cook of the Month!

Please send us your original recipes, developed by you or family members. You may adapt a recipe from another source by changing as little as the amount of one ingredient. Cook of the Month winners will receive $50, and may win “Cook of the Month” only once per calendar year. To be eligible, submissions must include a name, phone number, mailing address and co-op name. Alabama Living reserves the right to reprint recipes in our other publications.

Themes and Deadlines:

May: Beef | February 4 June: Summer Salads | March 4 July: Cobblers | April 1

3 ways to submit:

Online: alabamaliving.coop Email: recipes@alabamaliving.coop Mail: Recipes, P.O. Box 244014 Montgomery, AL 36124

Have you noticed your heating or cooling system having to work harder than usual? A home energy audit from CAEC can help! Conducted by a CAEC Energy Services Representative (ESR) and Certified Residential Energy Auditor, there's an audit that fits your needs. The up-front cost of the audit is reimbursed when improvements based on the ESR's recommendation are made to the home. Members can be reimbursed for items including, but not limited to: maintenance on HVAC unit, air filters, caulking, weatherstripping, appliances, CFLs, windows and more.

For more information, visit caec.coop, call 1-800-545-5735 ext. 2178 or scan this code

Without taking proper precautions, the enjoyment of a do-it-yourself project can quickly turn into a disaster. You may have all the latest power tools, hand tools, hardware and materials, but if you don't put safety first, you may end up with a trip to the hospital instead of a new set of shelves, upgraded lighting in the kitchen or a trendy shiplap accent wall in the bedroom. Here are some fundamental workshop and electrical safety tips to keep things running smoothly.

1.Wear safety gear, glasses and gloves

The first rule of safety is to dress appropriately. Avoid loose clothing that can get caught in power tools and never wear dangling jewelry or scarves. Roll up your sleeves or choose ones that are tight against your skin. Closed-toe shoes are a must, and steel-toed boots are recommended.

Safety glasses are necessary 100 percent of the time, and ear protection may also be applicable depending on the project. Gloves are fine for handling materials, but before you reach for a belt sander or scroll saw, take the gloves off to minimize the risk of them getting caught. You also get tactile feedback in case anything goes wrong.

2. Observe electrical safety

Before you start any DIY project, inspect all your power tools and their cords for loose plugs, exposed wires or worn insulation. Fires are one of the top dangers when working with electric gear, especially if you have combustible materials around, such as sawdust or paint.

If you must use an extension cord, choose one long, heavy-duty (appropriately rated) cord and keep it untangled and out of the way to prevent tripping. When done working, unplug everything from the extension cord and put it away.

3. Keep your work space clean

Anything left on the floor is a tripping hazard, and you do not want to imagine what could happen if you trip while using a power tool. The byproducts of do-it-yourself work, such as sawdust, cast-off nails and screws and rags or brushes with potentially combustible or hazardous fluids on them, increase the risk of fires and projectiles.

4. Keep tools in good condition

Besides inspecting the cords and plugs for electrical safety, everything works better if you have clean, sharp and welllubricated tools. A dull saw blade brings a much higher chance of injury than a sharp one as it is less likely to cut smoothly through the wood or other material and more likely to kick back and cut you. Dull saws, routers or drill bits also run the risk of breaking during use. Use appropriate lubrication, such as WD-40 or others specifically created for power tools.

5. Know your limits

If you have a lot of experience as a do-it-yourselfer, there are projects you can tackle from memory. However, for maximum safety, approach anything new as if you are a beginner. Read instructions, look up reputable guide videos to refresh your skills or learn something new, and, most importantly, recognize when you are in over your head and leave those non-DIY projects to the professionals.

Hope and a prayer

Today’s availability of electronic information and social media is a blessing and a curse. I have trouble processing all the information available to me each day. And, I don’t do social media. All that constant information leads to a problem of retention and, more importantly, remembering the messages in the details.

For example, Winter Storm Uri caused major power outages across Texas and the Midwest last February. Texas had the most severe problems with sub-freezing temperatures that resulted in power plant outages, renewable power failures, transmission outages, and power outages that lasted almost two weeks. More than 100 people died of exposure because they didn’t have power or heat. The Texas economy suffered from disruptions in business, and artificially high power prices were imposed on customers through ERCOT’s deregulated market structure.

It was a terrible weather event that consumed the news for weeks. There were personalized stories about the fate of people without power. After the storm cleared and temperatures moderated, the people who had power through the storm faced huge power bills for service. However, how much do you hear about Winter Storm Uri as its anniversary approaches?

As I write this in late December 2021, a story dominating the headlines this week is another winter storm across the Pacific Northwest and the Sierra Nevada regions. It has dumped unprecedented snow across Washington and Oregon and more snow is forecasted. The northwest has experienced frigid temperatures, with Seattle, Washington, recording 17 degrees and Bellingham, Washington reaching 7 degrees. Both broke records set in 1968.

The winter storm has disrupted travel and closed roads from San Francisco to Reno for more than three days and shut down Interstate 80 from Nevada to California because of large snow packs. Garbage and city services have been discontinued in many areas because of the snow and more than 5,000 electric customers have been without power due to the severe weather.

Despite the similarities to last year’s storm, the stories make little or no mention of Winter Storm Uri. The difficulties with this year’s storms raise the question of whether the Midwest and Texas are any better prepared for another major winter storm than last year.

The Midcontinent System Operator (MISO), which provides power to most of the Midwest under a structured market approach that is largely deregulated, has implemented emergency pricing reforms, improved scarcity pricing platforms, and mandated power generators to provide weekly fuel supply data. However, Tyler Jubert, a power analyst for S&P Global Platts Analytics, says, “This winter still remains vulnerable to emergency alerts driven by high congestion or capacity shortages.” In English, that means wind and solar power may be in the wrong location and there may not be enough traditional coal and natural gas-fired generation to meet high demands caused by extreme weather.

Texas is likely not as well situated for a major winter storm as MISO. The Texas Legislature has passed laws to make the electric grid more reliable during freezing weather, including the governance of ERCOT, Texas’ grid operator, and a requirement for power generators and transmission companies to be more resilient during extreme weather. Governor Gregg Abbott said, “Everything that needed to be done was done to fix the power grid” as he signed the legislation.

However, some industry experts believe the Texas grid and deregulated markets are too heavily geared toward price most of the time and not enough toward reliability for extreme weather. For instance, the Texas legislation doesn’t require power generators to complete reliability upgrades until late 2022 at the earliest. The legislation also provides many exceptions that allow power generators to avoid costly winterization programs so they can keep their cost of service low during other times of the year.

Also, the legislation does nothing to resolve the high costs of power experienced by customers last winter or provide a plan for dealing with those expected high costs during extreme weather in the future. If there is another winter event, power generators will likely again incur exorbitant costs that will be passed on to their consumers because of artificially inflated prices resulting from Texas’ deregulated market structure.

All of which means the deregulated power grids in the west are still at risk for outages and high expenses if there is another major winter storm this year.

As the college football bowl season concludes, many games are decided at the very end with one team needing one more touchdown to win. The announcers talk about a Hail Mary on the last play or a team playing on a hope and a prayer to win as the clock winds down. Hopes and prayers don’t work as well for electric utilities as they do for football teams. While we may have problems with a severe winter storm, we value reliability as much as cost and our system has been planned and built for the power to stay on. I like our plan a lot better than a a hope and a prayer.

I hope you have a good month.

Gary Smith is President and CEO of PowerSouth Energy Cooperative.

How To Place a Line Ad in Marketplace

Closing Deadlines (in our office): April 2022 Issue by February 25 May 2022 Issue by March 25 June 2022 Issue by April 25

Ads are $1.75 per word with a 10 word minimum and are on a prepaid basis; Telephone numbers, email addresses and websites are considered 1 word each. Ads will not be taken over the phone. You may email your ad to hdutton@areapower.com; or call (800)410-2737 ask for Heather for pricing.; We accept checks, money orders and all major credit cards. Mail ad submission along with a check or money order made payable to ALABAMA LIVING, P.O. Box 244014, Montgomery, AL 36124 – Attn: Classifieds.

Miscellaneous

FREE MATERIALS: SOON CHURCH / GOVERNMENT UNITING, suppressing “RELIGIOUS LIBERTY”, enforcing NATIONAL SUNDAY LAW, Be informed! Need mailing address only. POB 374, Ellijay, GA 30540 – thebiblesaystruth@yahoo. com, (888)211-1715 WALL BEDS OF ALABAMA - SOLID WOOD & LOG FURNITURE – Outdoor Rockers, Gliders & Swings, HANDCRAFTED AMISH CASKETS $1,599 - ALABAMA MATTRESS OUTLET – SHOWROOM Collinsville, AL – Custom Built / Factory Direct - (256)490-4025, www.wallbedsofalabama.com, www.alabamamattressoutlet.com

HEARING AIDS TOO EXPENSIVE? Do you qualify for help or low payments? Hearing Aid Helpline (866)479-1519, www.careconnectusa.org

Vacation Rentals

LAKE HOMES / CABINS – Verified Owners. No Booking Fees. ALAVHR.com GATLINBURG – DOWNTOWN LUXURY CREEKSIDE CONDO – 2BR / 2BA, sleeps 6 – aubie552@gmail.com, (256)599-5552 OWNERS – Join the fastest growing regional site in Alabama. Low annual fee. Verified Owners, no booking fees or commissions. Alabama Vacation Home Rentals. Locally Owned and Operated. (251)333-6500, ALAVHR.com GULF SHORES / ORANGE BEACH / FORT MORGAN – Choose from hundreds of beach houses and condos! Verified Owners. No Booking Fees. ALAVHR.com

ORANGE BEACH CONDO, 3BR/3BA; 2,000 SQ.FT.; beautifully decorated; gorgeous waterfront view; boat slips available; great rates - Owner rented (251)604-5226 GULF FRONT PANAMA CITY CONDO – Splash Condominiums – Owner Rental – 1BR / 2BA w/ hallway bunks, Sleeps 6, 18th Floor Balcony View of Ocean – (706)566-6431, bjeffers3@hotmail.com MENTONE, AL LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN COTTAGE RENTALS – Best brow views, River Front – cottagesofmentone.com, Call or text (504)4818666 PET FRIENDLY – Save $$$ by booking directly from Verified Owners. ALAVHR.com

GULF SHORES PLANTATION BEACH CONDO – 2 Bedrooms / 2 Baths. NO pets, NO smoking. Max 6 people. (205)344-3810 MILITARY / SERVICE DISCOUNTS on dozens of rentals. No Booking Fees. (251)333-6500, ALAVHR.com

GULF SHORES GULF FRONT CONDO UNITS – 2BR / 2BA or 1BR / 2BA. Spring, Summer openings. Private rental saves agency fees. (256)352-5721, amariewisener@gmail.com PANAMA CITY BEACH CONDO – Owner rental – 2BR / 2BA, wireless internet, just remodeled inside and outside – (334)7900000, jamesrny0703@comcast.net, www. theroneycondo.com BUILD YOUR NEXT SANDCASTLE ON OUR SPACIOUS SUGAR WHITE BEACH and come play in our waves! www.jettyeast.com, (800)3680222 Where the child in you comes out!

Land, Lots & Real Estate Sales

QUALITY CUSTOM HOMES BUILT ON YOUR LOT! Watermark Builder offers Affordable pricing and amazing standard features. We make building easy! Schedule your FREE design consultation now! Call (334)512-9866 or visit BuildWatermark.com (3) CANAL FRONT LOTS on EAST BAY RIVER in Navarre Florida - $9,500 each – (850)549-5716

Education

FREE BIBLE CORRESPONDENCE COURSE – write to P.O. Box 52, Trinity, AL, 35673

Farm / Agriculture

GROW MUSCADINES AND BLACKBERRIES , half dollar size – We offer over 200 varieties of Fruit and Nut Trees plus Vines and Berry Plants . Free color catalog. 1-800-733-0324. Ison’s Nursery, P.O. Box 190, Brooks, GA 30205 Since 1934 www. isons.com

TRACTOR SHADE CANOPIES, sturdy fiberglass and steel construction, Custom made for your tractor. By Cole BoatWorks (334)318-1986 or kcole@elmore.rr.com

Answers to puzzle on Page 24