Alisa Cooks ~ Light and frugal, scrumptious music to so many foodie ears.

I'm not going to say that I prepared this dish perfectly, without any errors. That would be a lie.

The pan was too hot when everything merged, causing a rapid sizzle rather than a subtle simmer ... and, in my hunger, I did a very shabby job in plating and serving, resulting in a dinner that didn't look half as good as it tasted. But, I can tell you that the sauce is delicious, the chicken is great, and fortunately, it is a hard dish to ruin.

This recipe appeared in the November edition of Cooking Light magazine, and the second I saw it, I knew I would be making it this week. Chicken thighs were on sale for $.79 a lb, my CSA delivered loads of onions and sweet bell peppers, I had all of the sauce components simply waiting on hand in my cupboard and refrigerator, and even when coupled with some broccoli (crowns on sale for $.77 a lb!) and rice (does it get much cheaper than that?), I knew I had the perfect delicious entry for our first Naturally Frugal Challenge!

This week is the last call to subscribe and receive Allergic Living’s 2010 / 2011 Winter issue as part of your subscription. The official deadline to get on the list is Saturday, November 13, 2010 at noon EST.

You can subscribe here: http://allergicliving.com/index.php/subscriptions-and-renewals

Why subscribe now? Here’s what will be inside Allergic Living’s Winter Issue …

Cover: Family Food Feud – When your relatives don’t – or won’t – get food allergies or celiac disease, it’s a recipe for blowups and strained relations. Writer Carolyn Black explores – from the stories of many families in this predicament to the experts’ novel ways to reopen the lines of communication. A truly insightful read for anyone contending with such issues.

Sublime Party Food: Chef Simon gives you all the goods to create a perfect party – from polenta triangles to beggars’ purses, soup shooters, mushroom risotto cakes and more. And natch’ - all free of top allergens and gluten.

Alisa Fleming ~ Granola in a cookie form … why didn’t I think of that? After all, we have granola bars, why not scale them down into more versatile snack portions like cookies? I love the Granookies concept, but how does it execute …

The actual “cookie” creation only held up for two in one of the bags. In fact, I really wasn’t sure how many actually cookies were supposed to be in each bag. Unfortunately, due to the soft-shell pouch packaging, most of my Granookies turned into a chewy granola snack rather than maintaining a cohesive form. Different packaging that separates and protects the “cookies” would likely work much better, but I am guessing that may not be as eco-friendly (the packaging appeared “low impact” but I couldn’t find any information to confirm if it was recycled materials or otherwise eco-friendly).

Looks aside, this was a tasty and rather virtuous snack (naturally sweetened, gluten-free, vegan, whole grain ... the whole nine yards). They currently come in two scrumptious flavors:

Emily Hendrix ~ As the cooler weather settles in, my thoughts have turned to soups and stews. I have my old standby favorites, classics like Chili, Beef Stew, and Chicken Soup with Rice. Yet, as rich and hearty as they are, every soup could use a great sidekick. One of our family favorites is Spicy Tortilla Strips. Dusted with chili powder, garlic, and cumin, and quickly baked in the oven, these crunchy strips come together in just over ten minutes and add an extra jolt of taste and texture to everyday soups.

Of course, if you prefer a less spicy version, you could simply salt the tortillas instead of using the spice blend. We call those Crispy Tortilla Strips instead!

Editor's Note: Emily uses corn tortillas in the recipe below for a wheat-free option since her family avoids the top eight allergens. Corn tortillas also make an excellent compliment to chili and Mexican-inspired soups. But if desired, you can substitute your favorite flour, whole wheat, or even brown rice tortillas … whichever works best for your menu and your personal preferences or needs.