Monday Night Dinner Feels Like the Weekend

Stuffed Chicken Breats with Apple-Beer Gravy and Garlic Smashed Potatoes


Chicken and Sauce

chicken breast (see previous post about humane, happy chickens)
stuffing mix (choose your favorite, I used Pepperidge Farms)
water
olive oil
salt
pepper
1 cup chopped apples
1/3 cup chopped onion
(I admit that I didn't measure either, these are eyeball estimates)
1 beer (I used Blue Moon Belgian White...use whatever you have as long as it's not frat party beer)
flour

Pound chicken breast(s) until about half the original thickness.  Slit with a sharp knife to create a pocket for stuffing.  Make stuffing by package directions (I subbed olive oil for the butter, and added salt and pepper).  Stuff chicken breasts with stuffing (I know, I know...this is the same ongoing debate as with stuffing a turkey...make your own judgements, but I think it's yummy). 

Heat a large pan and coat lightly with olive oil.  Brown chicken on one side.  Turn, and add chopped onion and apple to pan as you brown the 2nd side.  Add salt and pepper.  Once cooked most of the way through, add about 1/2 a beer and put in the oven at 375 until cooked through.

Once chicken is cooked through, remove from pan and return pan to heat.  Add a little flour and a little more beer until sauce reaches your desired consistency. 

Garlic Smashed Potatoes

potatoes
garlic
 butter
milk
salt
pepper

Chop several small, thin skinned potatoes (I used about half the package of that mixed red, gold and purple potato medley).  Cover with cold water and bring to a boil.  Add salt to water and cook until fork tender.  Drain and return to pan.  Add a couple of tablespoons of butter, 2 (or more) cloves of crushed or chopped garlic, and a splash of milk.  Mash until your desired consistency.

No singing today, but a quick note to say that I just discovered Children of Eden (how a Godspell lover like myself can have known this existed and not owned it before now is beyond me!) and it's fabulous!

Links

apples
Blue Moon
Children of Eden

Chicken plus Yum

Pan Fried Pesto Chicken

chicken breast (preferably from a local chicken farm where the birds are treated humanely...but do the best you can)
pesto (homemade or storebought)
seasoned italian bread crumbs
olive oil

Cut chicken into bite sized pieces. Coat in pesto. Coat in breadcrumbs. Brown in olive oil in a cast iron or stainless steel pan. Put whole pan in oven for 10-12 min depending on the size of the pieces. Eat with something else yummy.

Links

Pesto
Pesto Recipe
Sustainable Poultry Farming

Quickie Pancake Upgrade

I had some apple cider left over from a cast party at work, so I brought it home, and as usual, experimentation ensues when I have an ingredient like that.

I've had a cold, and our kitchen is in some disarray until the dishwasher (currently in the box and in the way) finally gets installed, so this one is lowkey but yummy.

Apple Cider Pancakes Quickie-Style

Follow the recipe on the box of Jiffy mix (you know, in the big blue box) but replace 1/2 to 2/3 of the milk with cider. Add 1 egg (it's optional on the box). Cook as usual. Serve with applewood smoked bacon (apple cider cured even better!)

Links

Jiffy Mix

Visiting Veggie Land

I was cooking almost exclusively vegetarian for a long time, when I lived with veggie roommates and dating a vegetarian (who has since reformed). Yesterday I got back in the kitchen for a little while (hooray!) and spent some time with one of my favorite veggie options, Eggplant and Tofu Parmesan.

Eggplant and Tofu Parmesan

1 large or 2 small eggplants
1 lb. firm tofu
seasoned breadcrumbs
1 egg
olive oil
salt
pepper
oregano
garlic powder
onion powder
basil
parmesan cheese
shredded mozzarella
tomato sauce of your choice (I've been mixed 1 jar of pre-made with 1 large can of crushed tomatoes and spices - just tried the no sugar added stuff and liked it a lot!)

Tofu prep - wrap the tofu in a tea towel and place in a colander over a bowl. Weight down with a heavy can (I used the canned tomatoes) for an hour or two.

Slice tofu into 1/2 inch or so slices (you should get about 16 slices). Dredge in olive oil and garlic powder, then in seasoned breadcrumbs that have had oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, salt, pepper and parmesan added. Lay breaded tofu on a sheet pan and bake at 375 for about 10 minutes.

Eggplant prep - I've gone both ways on the to salt or not to salt question. I did not salt my eggplant and drain them, I just sliced and breaded. We can debate the food science of both options some other time.

Beat 1 egg with a few tablespoons of water. Dredge eggplant in egg wash, then in seasoned breadcrumbs as above. Lay breaded eggplant on a greased sheet pan (I sprayed with canola spray) and bake at 375 for about 20 minutes, turning once.

In a square baking pan, layer sauce, eggplant, sauce, tofu, etc. You should get two layers of tofu and eggplant. Top with parmesan and mozzarella and bake at 375 until cheese is melted.

Soundtrack

Chess in Concert - Old reliable. Finding time to get back in the kitchen after weeks of no time at all, I needed comfort music.

Recipes on my Mind

I admit I have had no time to cook or to blog about cooking. And currently I have a raging sore throat, so singing is out of the question as well.

But in my head, here's what I want to be making soon:

apple cider brined fried chicken
butternut squash muffins with cream cheese frosting
roasted turkey and potatoes
squash dumplings
apple cobbler

Can you tell that it's fall and I just went grocery shopping?

Also, I have been singing, at least in my voice lesson...

On The Street Where You Live
Heaven Help my Heart

Among other things...

will return soon!

Sorry I've been MIA - end of summer has had a lot of ups and downs and quick meals outside of the house...I'll be back soon!

Simple and Lovely

Quick and Easy Lunch at Home

Best Scrambled Eggs

2 organic free-range eggs
salt
pepper
garlic powder
1-2 tsp soft cheese (I admit that I used laughing cow garlic and herb - it's a low budget week)


Heat a pan over low heat. Spray with cooking spray or lightly oil with oil of your choice. Scramble 2 eggs and cook until about 3/4 done. Add cheese in small pieces, salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste.

Serve with a crescent roll (spread with the rest of the cheese) or other small roll or biscuit, and baby arugula dressed with salt, pepper and balsamic.

Happy lunching!


Soundtrack

Chess in Concert - You'll see this one show up a lot - I feel like they finally got the book right, the 2 female leads are both belters, Idina is singing the role of Florence (my dream role), and while I have some issues with Josh Groban as The Russian, he's not offensive like Patti Lupone in Evita is. Plus, the love of my life, Adam Pascal, is playing The American, and he's PERFECT!


Links for You

Why Chess in Concert? - A message from Tim Rice
Idina Menzel
The Incredible Edible Egg
The Laughing Cow