Greeks started to migrate in US during the last decade of 19th century. The country was too poor to feed all its citizens, so many tried to pursue their lack at the New World. The trip lasted about 20 days and it was harsh for them as they were travelling third class with no amenities and comfort. As they were arriving at Ellis island and after passing a medical examination, they were taking their way to factories, construction, mines or as salesmen and clerks.
In the beginning, these jobs were occasional, but as the years passed by, they started having permanent jobs and created a more stable environment. Most immigrants from Greece were men and as they settled down in their new country, their next target was to get married and have children. They wanted a nice Greek girl who would stay at home and raise a family.
Back in the old country poverty and hanger were part of the lives of thousands of families. So, what they did? They sent photos of their unmarried girls to the Greeks in the States for them to choose their wives. Men were finding their future wives, sent the money for the tickets and that was the chance those girls had to escape poverty. They did not know anything about their future husbands, apart from his appearance through a photo he sent to recognize him upon arrival. They did not know if he was good or bad, intelligent or stupid, hard working or lazy. They knew nothing of the place they would live or the conditions. Thousands of girls followed this path for many many years. All this history is depicted in a movie called “The Brides” that tells the story of a girl who followed the same destiny as thousands of others. Martin Scorsese is the executive producer of this movie and I strongly recommend it.
Most families in Greece have at least one person who migrated in US or Australia either during 19th century or after World War 2. When I studied in the States, I met so many Greeks where I lived. My hairdresser was Greek, a great family that helped me a lot was Greek, and I often went to a Greek diner to eat something. Nevertheless, I will share a little secret with you. The famous Greek souvlaki in the States has nothing to do with the souvlaki we eat around here. I guess this happens with almost all kitchens away from their origin. Ingredients are different and taste habits are different, so everything is different.
Anyway, as I was watching the Brides the other day, I remembered my student days in New Hampshire and my dining out with friends. One of my favorite places was Applebee’s and I always had the smothered chicken. So, I tried to recreate it at home, and it was with great success.
- 3 chicken breasts cut length wise like butterfly
- 1 red pepper, sliced
- 1 green pepper, sliced
- 10 white button mushrooms, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 cup mature cheddar or any other cheddar
- Tex Mex spice
- 1 tbsp corn starch
- 1 tsp mild chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 chicken bouillon crashed
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp ground cumin
- First make the Tex Mex Spice by combining everything in a bowl.
- Sprinkle the chicken breasts with the spice on both sides.
- In a skillet pour 3 tbsp of olive oil and sauté the chicken in medium/high heat 3 minutes on each side.
- Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet add couple of tbsp of olive oil and sauté all the veggies in high heat until they are soft and cooked.
- While sautéing them sprinkle some Tex Mex spice as well.
- Quantity depends on how spicy you want this dish to be.
- While sautéing everything, preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F.
- Take a shallow pan and place the breasts.
- Cover them with the veggies and top them with the grated cheese.
- Place them in the oven and bake them for half an hour or until the cheese has melted and taken a nice golden color.
- Serve with French fries or mashed potatoes.
- 3 στήθη κοτόπουλου κομμένα κατά μήκος σαν πεταλούδα
- 1 κόκκινη πιπεριά, κομμένη σε φέτες
- 1 πράσινη πιπεριά, κομμένη σε φέτες
- 10 λευκά μανιτάρια, κομμένα σε φέτες
- 1 κρεμμύδι κομμένο σε φέτες
- 1 φλ. ώριμο τσένταρ ή οποιοδήποτε άλλο τσένταρ
- Tex Mex μπαχαρικό
- 1 κ.σ. κορν φλάουρ
- 1 κ.γ. ήπια σκόνη τσίλι
- 1 κ.γ. αλάτι
- 1 κ.γ. πάπρικα
- 1 κ.γ. ζάχαρη
- 1 κοτόπουλο ζωμό, θρυμματισμένο
- ½ κ.γ. σκόνη κρεμμυδιού
- ¼ κ.γ. σκόνη σκόρδου
- ¼ κ.γ. κύμινο
- Πρώτα κάνετε το Tex Mex μπαχαρικό συνδυάζοντας τα πάντα σε ένα μπολ.
- Πασπαλίζουμε τα στήθη κοτόπουλου με το μπαχαρικό και στις δύο πλευρές.
- Σε ένα τηγάνι ρίχνουμε 3 κουταλιές της σούπας ελαιόλαδο και σοτάρουμε το κοτόπουλο σε μέτρια/δυνατή φωτιά 3 λεπτά από κάθε πλευρά.
- Αφαιρούμε και αφήνουμε στην άκρη.
- Στο ίδιο τηγάνι προσθέτουμε μερικές κουταλιές της σούπας ελαιόλαδο και σοτάρουμε όλα τα λαχανικά σε δυνατή φωτιά μέχρι να μαλακώσουν και να μαγειρευτούν.
- Ενώ σοτάρονται τους πασπαλίζουμε λίγο Tex Mex μπαχαρικό επίσης.
- Η ποσότητα εξαρτάται από το πόσο πικάντικο θέλετε αυτό το πιάτο να είναι.
- Ενώ σοτάρετε τα πάντα, προθερμάνετε το φούρνο στους 200°C.
- Παίρνουμε ένα ρηχό ταψί και τοποθετούμε τα στήθη.
- Τα σκεπάζουμε με τα λαχανικά και από πάνω βάζουμε το τριμμένο τυρί.
- Τα βάζουμε στο φούρνο και τα ψήνουμε για μισή ώρα ή μέχρι να λιώσει το τυρί και να πάρουν ένα ωραίο χρυσαφί χρώμα.
- Σερβίρουμε με τηγανιτές πατάτες ή πουρέ πατάτας.