Ow! I have been having the worst headaches lately. Bordering between migraines and sinus headaches. Pain behind my eyes and extreme tenseness in the neck. Like I said, Ow! Hopefully, it is nothing simple advils or alleves can't fix.
On a brighter note, weekend was good.
Made some Chicken Cacciatore. It was so delicious! I always dreaded making this dish. I think the whole tomato sauces with chicken thing just creeps me out. So glad I tried it. A whole new meal selection for the Rib Crib.
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| Look at it bubbling, smelling good! |
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| Finished product! |
Chicken Cacciatore
by Giada De Laurentiis
courtesy of Food Network
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs
- 2 chicken breasts with skin and backbone, halved crosswise
- 2 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour, for dredging
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 3/4 cup dry white wine
- 1 ( 28-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
- 3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons drained capers
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
- 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil leaves
Directions
Sprinkle the chicken pieces with 1 teaspoon of each salt and pepper. Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour to coat lightly.
In a large heavy saute pan, heat the oil over a medium-high flame. Add the chicken pieces to the pan and saute just until brown, about 5 minutes per side. If all the chicken does not fit in the pan, saute it in 2 batches. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside. Add the bell pepper, onion and garlic to the same pan and saute over medium heat until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the wine and simmer until reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juice, broth, capers and oregano. Return the chicken pieces to the pan and turn them to coat in the sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer. Continue simmering over medium-low heat until the chicken is just cooked through, about 30 minutes for the breast pieces, and 20 minutes for the thighs.
Using tongs, transfer the chicken to a platter. If necessary, boil the sauce until it thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Spoon off any excess fat from atop the sauce. Spoon the sauce over the chicken, then sprinkle with the basil and serve.
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Spent the weekend tidying up here and there, going to a picnic, going to a birthday party and getting caught up on some work. Had some many yummy ideas to bring to the picnic but since I have been doing the whole Atkins thing to lose a few pounds before a wedding, I had bring something Atkins friendly. I wished I could have brought deviled eggs but there was no way I was going to peel all those eggs. So I made a broccoli salad made with splenda and brought sausage & cheeses. I also brought those Wal-Mart frosted cookies (can't stand them; so less temptation). I did have a couple teeny jelly beans though.
The birthday party was fun. It is amazing to discover how many people are affected by adoption in one way or another. We were introduced to a couple who had a son (named Jake) and daughter who they adopted. It was awesome swapping our adoption stories and learning about our similar backgrounds and experiences. And of course, the children looked just like the parents. She did tell me when they put there profile in for their son, they set up a nursery right away. I am not sure I can look everyday at empty nursery.
Some pics for Jake invitations!
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