culinary exploration

Follow me through the adventures that take place in my kitchen, in restaurants or in other kitchens. Cooking and food are my passions and I want to share my experiences of cooking, baking and eating with you.
I'm a Greek self-taught cook who lives in Chicago. I learned a lot about cooking from both of my grandmothers, my mom and dad, family and friends. Passing on timeless traditions through food is one thing I strive to do in life.

These are my journeys through culinary exploration...

clraptis (at) gmail (dot) com
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Posts tagged chicken

Apr 9
Chicken katsu served over rice and mac salad from Aloha Eats in Chicago

Chicken katsu served over rice and mac salad from Aloha Eats in Chicago
Posted at 8:50 PM 4 notes Tagged: katsuchickenHawaiian foodAloha EatsChicagorestaurants

Mar 16
Yakitori skewers - these were (from bottom to top) chicken breast, fried tofu balls and pork.

Yakitori skewers - these were (from bottom to top) chicken breast, fried tofu balls and pork.
Posted at 3:16 PM 23 notes Tagged: yakitoriskewerschickenporktofuJapanese food

Fried Chicken Skin That’s right… FRIED CHICKEN SKIN!  It’s a good thing this hasn’t caught on in the US yet, because I can easily see myself sitting on the couch watching trashy TV eating bags of this salty, crispy goodness!  This was ultimately my #1 favorite non-seafood dish I ate in Japan.  A co-worker took us to a yakitori (chicken grill) place for a relaxed, more casual dinner after fancy dinners with executives and important people.  We drank lots of Asahi Super Dry beer and ate skewer after skewer of different chicken meat and parts.  Definitely the best meal that didn’t include any seafood, although a close second was the soba house we had lunch at to enjoy some buckwheat noodles.  I didn’t take any pictures there though!

Fried Chicken Skin

That’s right… FRIED CHICKEN SKIN!  It’s a good thing this hasn’t caught on in the US yet, because I can easily see myself sitting on the couch watching trashy TV eating bags of this salty, crispy goodness! 

This was ultimately my #1 favorite non-seafood dish I ate in Japan.  A co-worker took us to a yakitori (chicken grill) place for a relaxed, more casual dinner after fancy dinners with executives and important people.  We drank lots of Asahi Super Dry beer and ate skewer after skewer of different chicken meat and parts. 

Definitely the best meal that didn’t include any seafood, although a close second was the soba house we had lunch at to enjoy some buckwheat noodles.  I didn’t take any pictures there though!
Posted at 2:54 PM 8 notes Tagged: chickenchicken skinfried foodyakitoriJapanese foodJapan

Aug 25
Lunch meeting today at my favorite hole-in-the-wall, family owned Thai restaurant in Addison.  Green Curry with Chicken, red & green peppers and bamboo shoots

Lunch meeting today at my favorite hole-in-the-wall, family owned Thai restaurant in Addison. 

Green Curry with Chicken, red & green peppers and bamboo shoots

Posted at 3:30 PM Tagged: green currychickenThai food

Aug 3
Pollo alla Birra (Chicken in Beer) (via Bell’ Alimento) Another tasty chicken thigh recipe… I could even have this on my diet!  I’ll probably up the amount of carrots, celery and leeks to boost the veggie intake, but it will do.

Pollo alla Birra (Chicken in Beer)

(via Bell’ Alimento)

Another tasty chicken thigh recipe… I could even have this on my diet!  I’ll probably up the amount of carrots, celery and leeks to boost the veggie intake, but it will do.
Posted at 12:19 PM 1 note Tagged: recipe reblogBell' AlimentochickenItalian foodbeer

Jul 30
Chicken is always my go-to protein of choice when making healthy meals… but I get SO bored of the boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenderloins.  I always forget that I can get bone-in drumsticks or thighs and just trim the fat and skin to get some of that dark meat while remaining healthy! This recipe for Asian Glazed Drumsticks is just right for that.  I would pair it with some broccoli or roasted cauliflower and mushrooms like Gina has here.

Chicken is always my go-to protein of choice when making healthy meals… but I get SO bored of the boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenderloins.  I always forget that I can get bone-in drumsticks or thighs and just trim the fat and skin to get some of that dark meat while remaining healthy!

This recipe for Asian Glazed Drumsticks is just right for that.  I would pair it with some broccoli or roasted cauliflower and mushrooms like Gina has here.
Posted at 12:11 PM Tagged: recipe reblogskinnytaste.comchickendrumsticks

Jun 28
I just had an INTENSE craving for Zaxby’s… too bad I’m in Chicago and not somewhere in the Southeast!  Best.  Chicken.  EVER! edit: they aren’t lying - this IS a party on a plate!

I just had an INTENSE craving for Zaxby’s… too bad I’m in Chicago and not somewhere in the Southeast!  Best.  Chicken.  EVER!

edit: they aren’t lying - this IS a party on a plate!
Posted at 2:20 PM 4 notes Tagged: chickenZaxby'syummmm

May 30
pan fried chicken - Mother’s Day meal

pan fried chicken - Mother’s Day meal
Posted at 5:11 PM 2 notes Tagged: chicken

May 10
Chicken Ropa Vieja Ropa Vieja literally translates to “old clothes” and not in the sense that the taste is what you’ll experience with this dish.  Since we all eat with our eyes first, the looks of this meal can resemble old shredded up rags at times.  That’s where the name originates.  :) This is a healthier version from one of my favorite recipe sites skinnytaste.com.  It is served over cilantro lime rice.

Chicken Ropa Vieja

Ropa Vieja literally translates to “old clothes” and not in the sense that the taste is what you’ll experience with this dish.  Since we all eat with our eyes first, the looks of this meal can resemble old shredded up rags at times.  That’s where the name originates.  :)

This is a healthier version from one of my favorite recipe sites skinnytaste.com.  It is served over cilantro lime rice.
Posted at 4:02 PM 1 note Tagged: recipeschickenropa vieja