This is so funny in typical Simon fashion. I absolutely love the mouth pointing at 1:06 in.

When I make a recipe that turns out to be really, really good, one of the first things that flies through my mind is how I cannot wait to share it with all of you.

This Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken was one such recipe. The sauce is so simple and has the perfect proportion of ingredients that make it tangy, sweet and spicy all at once. The chicken was meltingly tender, which only made the crunch of the cashews that much better.

Typically, when it comes to slow cooked dinners, I prefer recipes that take around 8 hours to cook. That way, I get it going first thing in the morning and all is ready when dinner time rolls around.

However, this recipe’s 3 hour cook worked just great for my current schedule which is leaving the house at 3:30 and then driving around in circles for 3 to 4 hours doing sport/piano/tutoring pick ups and drop offs for the 4 kids. I did the quick cook prep at 3 pm and turned on the cooker. When we got home at 7, dinner was served. (I highly recommend a rice cooker so that all of the dinner is ready to go.)

Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken

Ingredients:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2 inch or so pieces
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp black pepper
1 Tbs vegetable oil
1/2 cup soy sauce
4 Tbs rice wine vinegar
4 Tbs ketchup
2 Tbs brown sugar
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp grated ginger
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 cup cashews
Cooked rice, to serve
Cilantro, to garnish if you like

Directions:

1. Mix flour and pepper in a big resealable food storage bag or bowl. Add chicken and toss to coat.

2. Heat oil in a skillet or wok over high heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 4 minutes to brown on all sides

3. Put the chicken in slow cooker.

4. Combine soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, sugar, garlic, ginger, and pepper flakes. Pour over chicken and cook on low for 3 hours.

5. Mix cashews into chicken, sprinkle with cilantro and serve over rice.

Serves 4 to 6

Recipe from Daydream Kitchen

Wild Bells, a band out of Portland, Oregon, are planning on releasing a full length album later this year. They currently have a two track record out which is quite good.

‘Curtain Call’ is a perfect slice of pop-rock.

“In a desert town, where the phones are failing,
Banners stretch to the sky
The whistle cleans the air, speaker takes a deep breath
Fuck it, I’m out of here”

Check out Wild Bells on the band’s Website, where you can link to buy their music.

Cheers!