Robin at Flatbread.
I really like this photo of Robin. I’m biased! Ah yes. Chicken Dinner and Cowboy Eggs, but not at the same time. I hope our Nutritionist sees this.
The Chicken Dinner is one that Robin has wanted to try, so last night was a perfect chance to make it. The Cowboy Eggs, also known by many different names, is at least once a week around here. I made Robin’s with Acme Bake Shop Turkey Bread – made with Red Wheat. It is super! Mine I made with Acme’s Sourdough, also super. So take a look at these meals. Give them a try. But, as a lot of our meals, there is not a measured recipe. I will try to document the chicken dinner as much as possible. Enjoy!
Braised Skinless Chicken Breast
with
mustard cream sauce
Steamed Brussel Sprouts
with
balsamic vinegar and blood orange reduction
Heirloom Tomatoes
with
fresh basil threads
This may sound involved and confusing. (1) Chicken Breasts – egg wash and Panko. Braise over med-low heat until golden brown. Remove from heat and turn heat off. Add 1/2 cup cream and 2 Tablespoons of a good stone ground mustard. We like Plochman’s. Work fast and stir constantly. The brown bits from the chicken will be absorbed into the sauce. When combined, pour over the chicken.
(2) Brussel Sprouts – Don’t curl your nose up, these are fantastic cooked this way. Trim off the ends of 2 cups of sprouts and cut lengthwise. Steam until tender and green. Please don’t boil! When green and tender, remove from heat. In a skillet add 3 Tablespoons of balsamic vinegar and 1 Tablespoon of Blood Orange infused Olive oil. (You can also use the zest and juice from one blood orange.) Reduce to 1/2. Add the sprouts and toss to coat the sprouts. Serve immediately.
(3) Heirloom Tomato Salad – Coarse chop about 1 cup of Arugula greens. Dice an heirloom tomato and place on top of the greens. Using fresh basil, julienne about 1 cup of the leaves. (Cut into thin strips) Generously sprinkle the basil on top of the salad.
That’s all there is to it. Use a boneless, skinless chicken breast. The balsamic reduction for the Brussel sprouts eliminates that strong, cabbage taste of the sprouts. The blood orange adds a little sweetness. Notice that there is no liquid salad dressing. If your basil is fresh and the tomatoes are fresh, you won’t need any dressing.
So for dinner tonight, I made a parsley, lemon zest and garlic gremolata to go with some baked cod and a green salad. While prepping that, I started the gumbo for the BSU game tomorrow night. They play Louisiana, so I thought gumbo would be appropriate. But first, breakfast this morning.
Cowboy Eggs (Eggs in Toast)
Fresh Cantaloupe and Blueberries
How easier can you get? Simple. Quick. Wholesome. And the gumbo is doing fine. Here is the recipe for Robin’s 70th Birthday Gumbo. The recipe is for 60. Just reduce the size for however many you are serving. But for a tailgate party, this would be great. Try using bowls from sourdough bread. We’re making Colombian Corn Bread with ours tomorrow. Cheers!
Really not difficult to do and sooooo much more tasty! Beats any pre-packaged meal – I control what is in the dish: Salt, sugar, herbs and spices. You say you don’t have the time to make a “from scratch” meal? These two meals took about 30 minutes and they were on the table. Local products whenever possible – beef, potatoes, tomatoes, bread, gravy (made from scratch) and onions. And the Tomatillo Salsa Verde was definitely all local and made from scratch. 12 half pints made and canned! The end of the tomato season is upon us, so what better use than to make salsa. In this case, from tomatillos. Check with your local farmers market – that includes local produce stands – for locally grown and produced beef, potatoes, tomatillos, onions, peppers and herbs. It’s just so much better than commercially produced produce. The Boise Farmers Market moves indoors this week and runs through mid December. Then it closes until next Spring. Can and freeze those products and have “fresh” all winter. Here is what you can make for dinner and breakfast. Enjoy!
Boise Foodie Guild 