Chicken Primavera

This is our version of Chicken Primavera.  It's not necessarily made in the traditional fashion, but all the key ingredients and ideas are present.  It includes most of our favorite things to eat so naturally it's rather fattening...  hehehe.


Ingredients:
4 Chicken breasts
1 Small Onion
1 Yellow Squash
1 Zucchini
2 Carrots
1 Cup Frozen Peas
Garlic
Flour
Heavy Whipping Cream
White Wine
Bacon
Dried Oregano, Basil, and a pinch of White Pepper
Butter and Olive Oil
Grated Parmesan
Fettucini Pasta

For the chicken scallopini:

Slice 4 chicken breasts widthwise to create 8 thin breast halves.  Pound to 1/4 inch thickness.  Season with salt and pepper and set aside.

Season flour with salt and pepper for dredging and prepare a large frying pan with hot oil and butter.  Dredge chicken in flour mixture and brown on both sides.  Remember, the oil must be very hot and NO TOUCHING ;).  Finish in a 350 degree oven while preparing sauce.

For the primavera sauce:

Thinly slice carrots, yellow squash, zucchini, onion, and 2 slices of bacon.  Mince a clove or two of garlic.  Blanch the carrots; all other veggies can cook in the sauce, the carrots need a tiny head start.  When the chicken is placed in the oven, add the bacon, onions, and garlic to the frying pan and cook until soft and slightly brown.  Sprinkle about a teaspoon each of dried oregano and basil and a tad of white pepper.  Cook a few more seconds until you can just smell the herbs-yum!  Pour in a little white wine to deglaze.  Add about 2 cups of heavy cream to the pan and let it boil.  Meanwhile, squish together a little butter and flour and scoop it into the cream mixture to thicken.  Once the sauce can coat the back of your stirring spoon, throw in the rest of the veggies and a handful of grated parmesan cheese and cook for about 8 minutes-perfect timing for your fettucini pasta to cook!

Toss pasta in veggie sauce and pour over chicken, enjoy!

I hope you like this one as much as we did :)

Yummy Breakfast Tacos

If you're cooking for yourself, the significant other, or company, this recipe will wow anyone.  This all-in-one pan meal will sustain you for hours!

On Med/High sauté an onion in a TBL butter and a swish of olive oil.  Don't cook the onions too fast, you want them to be rich and clear.  Chop some lean bacon and throw it in the pan.  Saute both bacon and onion together until bacon is just beginning to brown and is still soft.  Reduce heat to Low/Med.

In a small bowl whisk several eggs, whole milk/sour cream/etc, Lawry's, garlic powder, a pinch of dried Basil, until very fluffy.  You don't want to add salt as the bacon has all the salt you'll need.

 Pour egg mixture evenly into  pan.  Let it sit for about 4 minutes until it is still runny on the top, but a little firm on the sides.  Take a spatula and fold the egg mixture over and over until cooked.  REMEMBER: nobody likes rubbery eggs! Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella or gruyere cheese.

Heat some flour tortillas (don't forget to cover with a moist paper towel) in the microwave for 50 seconds.  Spoon eggs into tortillas, top with salsa, and enjoy!  These eggs are the most flavorful and satisfying I've ever had, let me know what you think!

Heartwarming Spread

If you're looking for a romantic night in, why not create your own romantic spread? Grab a bottle of your favorite wine, a baguette, cheeses (an assortment of mountain cheese and brie is always a winning team), olives, nuts, smoked salmon and salami.  I like to smear cream cheese on a cracker, then fold a slice of smoked salmon, capers, and lemon juice on top.  My boyfriend also added his famous bruschetta (tomatoes, garlic, basil).  Don't forget to light a candle and enjoy!

Oreo Cakeballs

Craving chocolate?  Try an Oreo Cakeball smothered in chocolate and Bailey's ganache... Its really terribly simple.

For the cake balls:

• Grind up a package of Oreos in a food processor
• Add a package of cream cheese to food processor and blend until smooth
• Form into balls

For the ganache:

• Heat 1 cup of heavy whipping cream and 12oz chopped dark chocolate in a double boiler
• Add a splash of Bailey's liquor
• Whisk slowly until a creamy icing is formed (about 5 mins)

Dip the cake balls into ganache and refrigerate...Enjoy!