Louisiana Chicken with Creole Couscous

U.S.A.: Chef Peter Bowen's August 2010 Destination with Near East Herbed Chicken couscous

Real American food—fast, easy and delicious

Get a satisfying American dinner on the table in a hurry with these timesaving tips:

• Keep it simple.

  The beauty of American cooking is its emphasis on simple flavors and flawless execution. By limiting the number of ingredients you use in your recipes, you can bring the flavors of each ingredient you do use to the forefront—and limit the time you spend at the grocery store and on prep work. Plus, as you're cooking, you won't have as much to juggle, making the experience even more enjoyable.

• Cut foods into small chunks to reduce cooking time.

  "Meat and potatoes" are mainstays of the American diet, but they sure can take a long time to cook! Here's an idea: to reduce cook time (without sacrificing flavor), cut up the meat or vegetables into small chunks. The increased surface area will allow these items to come up to the proper temperature—and the desired softness—more quickly. An added bonus? The bite-sized pieces are easier to eat!

• Plan the week's menu on Sunday.

  Here's the scenario: You come home from work after a hectic day, only to look in the fridge and come up with zero meal ideas. It's too late to head to the store—it's takeout again! By planning your meals for the week on Sunday, you can take control of this situation and make sure you have all the ingredients you need on hand to prepare a week's worth of nutritious and hearty American meals for you and your family.

Kick back and relax.

Got five minutes? That's plenty of time to escape and take a break from your everyday routine!

• Give yourself a mini-massage.

  From getting stuck in rush hour traffic to hitting an intense deadline—it's no secret that Americans experience high levels of stress almost every day. To regain focus and restore a sense of calm, give yourself a quick massage. First, lean back, close your eyes and take a few deep, cleansing breaths. Then, rub the back of your neck, your shoulders, your temples, sinuses and scalp. Finish with a few more deep breaths; imagine stress melting away and you'll be ready to face the rest of your day!

• Get in the travel spirit!

  Longing for a real getaway...but can't seem to find the time? In just a few moments, you can travel the world! Pop in a Latin CD and listen to the sounds of samba, do a 5-minute series of soothing yoga stretches, eat a crusty French baguette with warm Brie cheese...or play in your Zen garden. Sometimes just doing little things that put you in touch with your adventurous side can be enough to satisfy your travel bug.