Summer Peach & Blueberry Crumble Pie

Last week we had a marvelous 4th of July, as I hope dearly that you all did as well.  To celebrate we had over some good friends for food, fun, and of course fireworks!  Since summer is in full swing, so are some of my favorite fruits and veggies! I found this fantastic recipe for peach & blueberry crumble pie which combines two of my favorite fresh summer fruits! I have to say, it's a really easy throw it together quick and bake in the oven type dessert, which is great when you're hosting people at your house.

Sadly, that's about it for my blog post.  Between having a final last week, going to full eight hour days in Jeff City, and going back to researching, my brain is tired.  What else is new right? Well, right.  But still. I'm tired, and all talked out.  I'll be sure to save up for next time, but here are some pretty pictures until next week's post! Enjoy!

Summer Peach & Blueberry Crumble Pie

Slightly adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

Your favorite pie crust recipe (or store bought like I did) pre-made and pressed into a greased pie dish.

Filling:

2 T corn starch

1 lb. frozen blueberries, thawed and drained of juices

1 lb. frozen peaches, thawed and drained of juices

1/2 c brown sugar

2 T lemon juice

2 t vanilla extract

zest of 1 lemon

Topping:

1/2 c slivered almonds

1/2 c (1 stick) butter cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1/2 c quick cook oats

1/2 c all purpose flour

1/2 c brown sugar

1 1/2 t ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and grease a 9 inch pie dish and place pie crust in it. 

Filling:  Combine everything else together in a large bowl until combined.  

Topping:  Combine everything in a food processor and pulse until it begins forming small chunks.  

Pour the filling into the pie crust and crumble topping over the filling. Bake for 50 minutes, or until top is golden brown.  Let the pie cool 30-40 minutes before consuming. 

* Cook's note, if after 30 minutes the pie crust is already golden brown, cover the crust with pie shield.  If you don't have a pie shield, don't sweat it! Trace a 9" circle onto tin foil and cut out a smaller circle from the center - place that over the pie crust as your make-shift pie shield.  

I'm Back!

Well, needless to say it's been a while and a lot has changed.  No, I didn't quit law school, but I have been super busy.  Also blogger has changed in a BIG way - probably the biggest change that's happened since I last blogged in February.

So before I share a recipe with you, I'll just share some highlights since February:
1. It's summer, if you haven't noticed and it. is. hot. in. Missouri.  I'm talking Oklahoma kind of heat and dryness.
2. I finished yet another semester of law school, and I am happy to say things went much better than the first semester.
3. I am working at the Department of Revenue near the capitol being a law slave research-er person girl.
4. Mike and I have officially registered for the 2013 Disney World Marathon so that should be death fun.
5. Kora is still Kora, doing things like this:

Well, and that's really about it.  Except that I cut most of my hair off.  Yeah, forgot about that.  No, I don't have a current picture; call it camera shy or whatever you want, but I just can't seem to catch a good one yet.  I will say this: it's short. The shortest I've ever had it and let me tell you, I love it.

Okay so, onward to the recipe.  With summer in full swing, it means two things: Mike is running around in circles being busy with youth group activities, and I am just sitting around wondering what to do with myself and all my free time.

So, I concoct things like these:

I call them Chocolate Peanut-butter madness cookies - you'll figure out why when you read the recipe.  It turns out Mike aided me in creating these beauties.  We both love peanut butter M&Ms and once upon a time, I put them in a basic cookie dough recipe.  However,  I didn't really like them that way.  I ended up usually picking out the M&Ms, eating them on their own, and then eating just the dough part.

This time I wanted to put them in either chocolate or peanut butter dough, but I couldn't decide which.  So I just clumsily mixed them all together and out came these goodies.

Seriously, I can't keep my hands off these things.  So, give them a try and tell me if you have the same problem I do.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Madness Cookies
Slightly adapted from Smitten Kitchen

Peanut Butter Dough:
1 cup flour
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup butter (about 5 and a little T), softened
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 t vanilla extract
1 egg

Chocolate Dough:
2/3 cups all purpose flour
2 T cocoa powder
1/4 t baking soda
6 T butter, softened
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 T white sugar
1/2 t vanilla extract

1 medium bag peanut butter M&Ms, divided.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Peanut Butter Dough:
Mix flour and soda; set aside. Beat peanut butter, butter, sugars and vanilla with mixer until fluffy; beat in eggs. With mixer on low, gradually beat in flour mixture just until well blended. Stir in half bag of peanut butter M&Ms.  Set aside.


Chocolate Dough: 

Sift flour, cocoa, and baking soda into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until smooth but not fluffy. Add both sugars, vanilla, and sea salt; beat until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add flour mixture; beat just until blended (mixture may be crumbly). Add peanut butter M&Ms.  

Now here is the very technical part of the recipe: dump the chocolate dough into the peanut butter dough.  Using a large spoon, chop up chocolate dough to distribute throughout the peanut butter dough.  I found a chopping/folding combo motion worked well for me.  You don't want this to be homogeneous; you should be able to distinguish the chocolate dough from the peanut butter.  When the dough is mixed to your liking, take a cookie scoop and place mounds on a greased cookie sheet.  

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until tops are golden brown.  Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.  

Knock You Out Brownies

I think it's safe to say I am enamored obsessed with chocolate.  It's a rare (and abysmal) day if I don't get my chocolate fix.  It just makes the day a little brighter - can I get an amen? Like my daily injection dose of coffee, things just aren't right until I've had some chocolate.  That's why I am completely in love with these guys.

They pretty much are spot on with combining all of my favorite things: marshmallow, chocolate, coffee, and peanut butter.  Sound a little disgusting?  Well, I will admit, I was pretty skeptical at first also, but they won me over with their decadent topping and soft texture.  So try them out before you knock 'em.  I have complete faith that these will knock you out with their amazing-ness.  

Knock You Out Brownies

Adapted slightly from Handle the Heat

Ingredients:

2 sticks unsalted butter, melted

2 cups brown sugar

3/4 cups of your favorite cocoa powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon espresso powder (optional, but you really don’t taste it; it’s just there to enhance the flavor)

2 teaspoons vanilla

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

3 cups semisweet chocolate chips, divided

3 cups mini marshmallows

1 cup of your favorite peanut butter (I used crunchy)

1 1/2 cups Rice Crispies

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Add the brown sugar to the melted butter and place in the microwave. Heat until mixture is warm and brown sugar is better dissolved.

Transfer the butter mixture to a large bowl then add the cocoa, salt, baking powder, espresso powder, and vanilla. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring to incorporate after each addition. Finally, add the flour and half of the chocolate chips; mix to combine.

Transfer the batter to a greased 9x13 pan. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle the marshmallows evenly over top of brownies. Return to the oven for 5 minutes more or until the marshmallows are puffed and softened but not browned [watch them like a hawk!]. Remove pan from oven and allow to cool on a rack.

After the marshmallow-brownies have cooled, heat the remaining chocolate chips and peanut butter in a small microwave-safe bowl in the microwave, stirring frequently, until the chips have melted and mixture is smooth. Stir in rice crispies. Dollop the mixture over the marshmallow-topped brownies and spread evenly. Allow to cool completely before feeding to patient, empty bellies.

Lasagna: Soup Style

I'm not sure if I've shared this with you all, but I love soup.  I mean I am borderline obsessed with the stuff! Give me soup for almost any meal and I am one happy girl.  I love it so much I will even eat it in the scorching summer heat.  I know, I know, I'm such a rebel.

Say hello to my new little friend.  It combines my love of all things soup with lasagna.  How could that ever be wrong?  I especially love it because I can have a lower calorie pasta for carb-loading the night before I embark on my long runs for half marathon training.  That's right people, you thought I forgot didn't you?  Well believe me, my legs and brain are far from forgetting.

In case you're curious (which you probably aren't so I'm sorry) this is what training looks like (for me at least)

Monday: 4 miles normal pace
Tuesday: 3.5 miles normal pace
Wednesday: rest
Thursday: 4.5 miles easy
Friday: rest
Saturday: Long run [this week 8 miles] easy pace then I can die
Sunday: DIE rest

So that's a glimpse into my training schedule; so think of me when you're in your bed Saturday morning watching TV because I will be out slowly torturing myself as I run lap after lap after lap in the Rec Center.

Anyhow, back to the soup. It's actually pretty healthy but you probably wouldn't know that from the taste.  I think it tastes a bit like chili, but Mike just thinks it tastes great.  I'll let you all be the judge.

Lasagna Soup
Adapted slightly from www.foodnetwork.com

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons olive oil


1 pound ground turkey


1 onion, chopped


3 cloves garlic, minced


1 (32-ounce) container chicken broth


1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce


1 (14 1/2-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes


1/2 teaspoon salt


1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper


1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

4 ounces broken whole-wheat lasagna noodles (about 4 noodles)


1/2 cup chopped fresh basil


3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese


1/2 cup reduced-fat shredded mozzarella cheese


Instructions:

Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large nonstick saucepot or Dutch oven. Add the sausage, onion, and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is crumbled and browned, 8 – 10 minutes. 

Add the broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, salt, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the flavors are blended, about 20 minutes. Add the noodles; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the soup thickens slightly and the noodles are tender, 10 – 12 minutes.  Add parmesan cheese to the pot. Dish up into heat proof bowls, top with mozzarella and put under broiler set on high for 1-2 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.  [Alternately, you can just dish the soup in bowls and put cheese on top – the heat from the soup will melt it just the same]

Marshmallow Hearts

Hello all you Valentine's out there! Hope you've all been extremely loved and blessed this Valentine's Day.   In celebration of v-day this year, I made some goodies for the youth group kids.  About once a month we have them over to our house for food, games and lots of good times.  So I made them this:

 

They are chocolate covered marshmallow hearts and they are delicious.  This was my first rodeo making marshmallows and if I had to sum it up in one word this would be it: sticky.  That aside, they're pretty stinking easy and delectable.  

The kids seemed to like them a lot too.  The process is pretty easy; if you've ever made divinity, marshmallows are divinity's close cousin and just as simple! Beware though, these will definitley more than satiate your sweet tooth, it might just give you a cavity - these babies are sa-weet, but worth the while! 

Chocolate Covered Marshmallows

Adapted slightly from here

Ingredients

powdered sugar, for coating pan

2/3 c. water, divided

3 (1/4 oz.) envelopes unflavored gelatin

1 c. granulated sugar

1 c. light corn syrup

1 tsp. vanilla

Candy melts, almond bark or your favorite chocolate chips

Preparation

Lightly spray the inside of an 9'' x 13'' pan with cooking spray. Generously coat with powdered sugar and set aside.

Pour 1/3 cup of the water into the bowl of a stand mixer. Sprinkle the gelatin over the water and stir briefly to incorporate. Let stand for about 5 minutes, or until the gelatin has softened.

In a saucepan, off the heat, combine the remaining 1/3 cup of water and the granulated sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Place the pan over medium-high heat. Clip a candy thermometer on the inside of the pan, making sure it doesn’t touch the bottom. Cook the mixture without stirring until it reaches 240°.

With your mixer on low speed, very carefully add the hot syrup to the softened gelatin. Add the vanilla and increase the speed to medium-high. The mixture will start out clear, but quickly turns very white. Beat for about 8 minutes, or until the marshmallow gets very thick and sticky, and starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl, it will look stringy.

Spread the mixture into the prepared pan using a lightly oiled spatula. With wet hands, press the batter evenly into the corners of the pan. Just keep rewetting your hands to help with the stickiness. Set aside for at least 1 hour, or until the mixture is firm and cool.

Run a wet knife around the edge of the cooled pan to loosen the marshmallow. Remove the marshmallow from the pan, onto a sheet of parchment paper.

Dip your small shaped cookie cutter (Mine was a little too large for my liking, I would suggest the smaller, the better) into a shallow bowl of water and then cut the slab of marshmallow into heart shapes.  It helps to dip the heart cutter into the water in between cuts. Repeat this process until the whole slab of marshmallow is cut.

In the top bowl of a double boiler, soften chosen method of coating (choc. chips, candy melts, etc.)  Begin stirring the chocolate until melted to a liquid consistency (if using chocolate chips, I would suggest using a touch of shortening to make it a bit smoother; just add it in the pot and melt along with the chocolate).  Dip one side of the marshmallows into the chocolate.  Lay un-dipped side back on the parchment paper until chocolate is hardened.  Repeat until entire marshmallow is covered in chocolate and serve to the ones you love!

Boy Flowers

Every year millions of flowers are bought for Valentine's day, but if you're a girl like me, you often wonder "What can I get the guy in my life? Obviously flowers are so easy to get me, but what is the boy equivalent to flowers?"  Well I have the answer for you.  Finally, after 23 years of life, I have figured out boy flowers.

Ta-da! I give you boy flowers! Inspiration smacked me straight in the face Friday when I was walking through a local grocery store and saw a similar replica.  I thought, "What a genius idea for Mike!" Then I looked at the price tag - $20.  "Yeesh! No way that would break the V-day gift budget combined with what I already got him".  Then a blinding revelation came over me I could make one similar if not better than theirs and cheaper!  And so I did.

It was fairly simply and customizable because it has all of his favorites! Unfortunately, I was so wrapped up in how brilliant I was that I failed to take pictures of the process so I'll break it down for you.

Some sort of boxed item (I chose popcorn but it could be something like snack cakes, etc.)
Something to weight the box down (I had some decorative rock lying around but rice, beans would probably work well too)
tissue paper, 1-2 sheets
hot glue
wooden skewers (lollipop sticks or floral sticks would probably work well too)
CANDY! Lots of candy!

All in all this cost me about half of the grocery store's price.

1. Empty the box of its contents
2. Put weights in the empty box - about 3/4 full
3.  Attach skewers to the back of the candy/goodies you purchsed
4.  Stick skewers into weighted box; adjust height if necessary
(I tried hot glueing the skewers to the side of the box and it was a big fail but hats of to you if you get that to work! You have great hot glueing skills I do not possess!)
5. Insert tissue paper to cover up the skewers that are showing - hot glue in place if necessary
6. Surprise someone you love with all their favorites!

From beginning to finish it took me about 30 minutes! Easy peasy and Mike was SUPER surprised; I've actually never seen him look so shocked! Enjoy all the V-day festivities!

Yet Another Wreath

Well friends, the day is drawing nearer, yes that both beloved and cursed day known as Valentine's Day.  For some it's a great day, some it's a sad day and for others we just don't care.  

I kind of fall into that later category, not because I don't have reason to celebrate, but more so because my husband is so wonderful that I don't need a day to make him pay attention to me, treat me special or give me quality time: he's pretty stinking fantastic at doing that already.  (Yes, cue the sickening awwww's).  All that aside though, I still like to do some decorations for Valentine's day pretty much like all other holidays.

 Voila! Valentine's Day wreath.  I went with just the colors because well, there's a lot of hearts floating around during V-Day and I needed a little cheer without the heart shape.

The close up.  I'll be honest, it was a bit time consuming.  It took me about two nights to do this even with the aid of a circle cutter, but I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out.  Especially since when I first began it I kept envisioning a wreath that looked like V-day just exploded everywhere. Thankfully it didn't end up like that.

I normally would try to explain to you how I managed to do this, but honestly, this site does a much better job than I would.  

Whether you love, hate, or are indifferent towards Valentine's Day, you should definitely do something special for yourself or someone you love and enjoy it nonetheless! 

Cornflake Chicken

The first meal I ever made for Mike when we were dating was cornflake chicken with mashed potatoes - a Hartman family favorite.  I took him to the store with me, bought the ingredients, and then asked him to guess what we were making.  He has zero ideas and was a little afraid to admit he was scared of what this meal would hold.  Finally, I let him in on the secret and although he was still skeptical, he was more willing to try whatever I was concocting. 

However, when we got to making the mashed potatoes all heck broke loose. I boiled the potatoes per usual and began to put them in the mixture when this happened:

       "What are you doing with those potatoes?" - Mike

       "I'm going to mash them..." - Me

       "With the mixer?" - Mike

       "Yes. Is that a problem?" - Me

       "Well where's your masher?" - Mike

       "I don't use a masher! That's too much work and they don't get creamy like I like them." -Me

       "Well I don't know about this..." -Mike...

His constitution had reached its breaking point.  This whole meal was just weird including the lady with the mixer making mashed potatoes.  So I interjected:

"Why don't you just let me make dinner and if you don't like it fine, but just try it first."

Well guess what folks, he ate it, loved it and even married me later despite it.  Believe it or not he commented that the mashed potatoes were excellent! Who would have thought?

So here it is: Cornflake Chicken:

It is a fantastically delicious and pretty speedy weeknight meal.  Full of tons of great things like butter - yes, I sound a bit like Paula Deen, I know.  Problem is, there's not a great recipe for this - I always just kind of make it up.  So I've tried to compile an actual recipe for anyone else who wants to try it! Sadly there's not mashed potato recipe this time.  That's another of those I-just-put-whatever-sounds-good-into-the-pot kind of recipes. Maybe someday soon. 

Cornflake Chicken:

1 stick of butter, melted

1 packet of ranch mix (you can find it by the salad dressing)

4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breast

1/2 cup parmesan cheese - nothing fancy, just the stuff you buy in the can

4 cups-ish cornflakes, finely crunched (*yes, that's the technical word.  This is best done with your hands.  You don't want it too big or too small)

1/2 T garlic powder

2 t italian seasoning

Preheat oven to 375 grease or spray oil a 9x13 baking sheet or cake pan.  Mix the crunched cornflakes, italian seasoning, garlic powder, ranch mix, and parmesan cheese together in a large bowl.  Take one piece of chicken, coat in the butter evenly the transfer to the cornflake mixture.  Repeat - you want a double coating to get a really great crunch.  Repeat for every piece of chicken.

When all piece of chicken are coated, place in the oven for 35 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.  Serve to skeptical boyfriends, loving husbands, or anyone else you so choose! 

Edible Sunshine

For those of you that didn't know,  National Pie Day was Monday, January 24.  [Not to be confused with Pi Day (3/14)].  How did I figure this out?  My very pie-obsessed husband clued me in on the secret via e-mail that today was pie day and what exactly were we going to do about it?  As we pondered the subtle complexities of what constituted pie (he proposed cheesecake was pie's cousin, and I said no, no.  We cannot make cheesecake on pie day.  Save that for cheesecake day), we then moved on to types of pie. I mean there are so many types of pie out there! Cream pie, pizza pie, fruit pie, chocolate pie, pizookies, fruit pizzas, savory pizzas and pies, Oh my!

Finally, wonder of all wonders, we agreed on a pie.

Lemon Cream Pie, which I quickly dubbed Edible Sunshine Pie.  You may be thinking, "hmm..how does this differ from lemon meringue pie?" Well, believe it or not, several ways.  To sum it up in one word it's lighter, fluffier if you will.  Lemon meringue pie is great, don't get me wrong, but its sister, lemon cream is the light-hearted and carefree version of its French counter part.

As far as taste goes, I initially thought it tasted like a lemon meringue pie with whipped cream instead of meringue, but the more I ate it, the more I knew I was wrong.  It's got a different depth of flavor that's subtle but ever present. The best way to describe it is edible sunshine in the middle of a very grey Missouri winter.

Have I convinced you to try it yet?  No? Well how about this, prep time was about 15 minutes, no joke.

How about now? Trying it yet?

That's what I thought...

Lemon Cream Pie A.K.A. Edible Sunshine Pie

Ingredients:

1 prepared graham cracker crust

8 teaspoons grated lemon zest (about 6 large lemons)


1 cup lemon juice


8 large egg yolks


1 14-ounce cans sweetened condensed milk

1 cup heavy whipping cream


6 T powdered sugar

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

Using a rasp or other small grater, zest the lemons. Then cut the lemons and juice them. You want approximately 8 teaspoons of zest and approximately 1 cup of juice. Rest assured that the pie will still be delicious if you only get ¾ cup of juice or 6 teaspoons of zest. No need to run to the store again.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the 8 egg yolks with the lemon zest until the eggs have lightened a bit in color, about 2 minutes. Add the sweetened condensed milk and whisk it into the egg mixture. Finally, slowly add the lemon juice and mix it in as you go. Set the filling aside for about 5 minutes to thicken up a bit. When the filling has thickened a bit, gently pour the filling into the crust. You may have a tiny bit of filling left over.

Place the pie into the oven and allow it to bake for approximately 15 minutes. Bake until the pie is set, but still slightly wiggly in the center. Remove the pie from the oven and cool to room temperature and then place it in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours to chill.

Before serving, place a medium mixing bowl and your electric mixer beater attachments and whisk in the refrigerator to cool. Pour cold heavy whipping cream into the bowl along with the powdered sugar and using your electric mixer or whisk, beat the cream until stiff peaks form.  Spread the whipped cream onto the pie and serve.

Chicken Leaky Mufasa?

A lot of times around our house food conversations get a little convoluted.

M "What are we having for dinner?"
Me "Chicken cacciatore"
M "Oh, okay sounds good"

...Weeks later...

Me "What do you want for dinner this week?"
M "How about chicken catch a tory?"
Me "What are you trying to say?"
M "You know, the chicken dish we had a few weeks ago."
Me "Chicken cacciatore?"
M "Ya, isn't that what I said?"

No. No that is not what you said.  This happens on a regular basis in our house meringue has been murang and this week Chicken Tikka Masala turned into Chicken Leaky Mufasa.  Even though it can be confusing at times, I have to say, it adds to Mike's charm.  When he says something funny, he'll just grin and say, "I don't know the name, I just know whatever you made is good!" One of the many reasons I love that man.

Surprise of all surprises, today's recipe is Chicken Tikka Masala

I first had this dish in Japan of all places at an Indian restaurant.  It is a wonderful and warm blend of spices, chicken, and rice.  The secret to this delicious chicken is all in how you cook it.

You cook the chicken in yogurt of all things.  Sounds disgusting right?  Well I dare you to make the chicken and not love it. The first time I made it, I nearly ate all of the chicken before making the sauce - so there's your word of warning.  It is truly a warm hearty winter dish!

Chicken Tikka Masala
Adapted from Tracey's Culinary Adventures

Chicken

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon salt

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 cup plain yogurt (I used greek, but use what you have/like)

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

Sauce

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 medium onion, diced fine 

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger

1 serrano chile, minced (ribs and seeds removed)

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 tablespoon garam masala

1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes

2 teaspoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro 

To prep the chicken: Mix the cumin, coriander, cayenne, and salt together in a small bowl.  Sprinkle the mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken.  Put the chicken on a plate, cover with plastic and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.  Whisk the yogurt, vegetable oil, garlic and ginger together in a wide bowl.  You'll use this to coat the chicken later before cooking - set aside for now.

Meanwhile, pour the oil into a large Dutch oven set over medium heat.  Once the oil is hot, add the onion and cook, stirring often, until golden, about 8 minutes.  Add the garlic, ginger, serrano chile, tomato paste and garam malasa.  Cook until fragrant, about 3 minutes, stirring almost constantly.  Stir in the crushed tomatoes, sugar and salt then bring the sauce to a boil.  Reduce the heat so your sauce is simmering and cover the pan.  Let simmer for 15 minutes, stirring a few times.  Add the heavy cream, stir to combine and bring the sauce back to a simmer (uncovered).  Take the pan off of the heat and cover to keep warm.  (You can also make the sauce ahead - just refrigerate it once it cools slightly then rewarm when you want to serve.)

To cook the chicken:  Position an oven rack about 6 inches from your broiler and preheat the broiler.  Set a wire rack inside of a foil-lined baking sheet.  Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and dip each piece in the yogurt mixture.  You want a relatively thick layer coating the chicken.  Transfer the chicken to the wire rack.  Broil the chicken until it is cooked through (to an internal temperature of 160 F), about 10-18 minutes, flipping the chicken over halfway through the cooking time.  (The cooking time will depend in large part on the thickness of your chicken pieces.)  Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes, then cut it into 1-inch pieces and add to the warm sauce.  Add the cilantro to the sauce as well and season to taste before serving.

BONUS! 

Anyone notice I didn't post Monday?  Well, I did anyway - completely escaped me.  So as an apology, here are some cute puppy-in-the-snow pictures.  Enjoy!