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Fiction Writer Takes Home Million Dollar Bake-Off Prize

Associated Press

Ellie Mathews of Seattle can turn a spoon as well as a phrase.

The published fiction writer won the $1 million grand prize last week in the 38th Pillsbury Bake-Off with her Salsa Couscous Chicken.

Mathews’ recipe is the first “savory main dish” to win the grand prize in the past nine runnings of the competition, which is held every other year.

For the first time, Pillsbury asked for quick and easy recipes with limited preparation time or ingredients. Mathews created a North African-style dish but used a prepared salsa to shorten preparation and cooking time.

Judges praised the “complexity of the recipe’s flavor with so few ingredients.”

Salsa Couscous Chicken

3 cups hot cooked couscous or rice

1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil

1/4 cup coarsely chopped almonds

2 garlic cloves, minced

8 chicken thighs, skin removed

1 cup prepared chunky-style salsa

1/4 cup water

2 tablespoons dried currants

1 tablespoon honey

3/4 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

While couscous is cooking, heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add almonds; cook 1 to 2 minutes or until golden brown. Remove almonds from skillet with slotted spoon; set aside.

Add garlic to skillet; cook and stir 30 seconds. Add chicken; cook 4 to 5 minutes or until browned, turning once.

In medium bowl, combine salsa and all remaining ingredients; mix well. Add to chicken; mix well. Reduce heat to medium; cover and cook 20 minutes or until chicken is fork-tender and juices run clear, stirring occasionally. Stir in almonds. Serve chicken mixture with couscous.

Yield: 4 servings.

Nutrition information per serving: 490 calories, 34 grams protein, 45 grams carbohydrates, 19 grams fat (35 percent fat calories), 4 grams saturated fat, 100 milligrams cholesterol, 540 milligrams sodium.