A Special Chicken Piccata DInner

Chicken Piccata is a classic Italian recipe that is both elegant and very simple at the same time.
The tangy sauce over the chicken is just the right balance of flavors to tantalize your taste buds without overwhelming your belly as there is nothing heavy about this delicious dish.

It takes under 30 minutes to prepare, but has such impressive results, that it is worthy of serving for special occasions or a very romantic dinner for just the two of you.

It is one of my husband's favoritse, and he's more of a beef guy, so I take it as a great compliment.

This particular recipe is from GIADA De LAURENTIS from the Food Network.

YOU WILL NEED:

2 skinless and boneless chicken breasts, butterflied and then cut in half
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
All-purpose flour, for dredging
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup brined capers, rinsed
1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped


Directions:

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge chicken in flour and shake off excess.

In a large skillet over medium high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 3 tablespoons olive oil. When butter and oil start to sizzle, add 2 pieces of chicken and cook for 3 minutes. When chicken is browned, flip and cook other side for 3 minutes. Remove and transfer to plate. Melt 2 more tablespoons butter and add another 2 tablespoons olive oil. When butter and oil start to sizzle, add the other 2 pieces of chicken and brown both sides in same manner. Remove pan from heat and add chicken to the plate.

Into the pan add the lemon juice, stock and capers. Return to stove and bring to boil, scraping up brown bits from the pan for extra flavor. Check for seasoning. Return all the chicken to the pan and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove chicken to platter. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to sauce and whisk vigorously. Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with parsley and a lemon slice.

Delicious served with steamed broccoli, tomato bruschetta and a Ceasar salad.

Have you made this dish before? What were the reactions to those you served it to?

Honeyed Soy Pork Chops

 

 SO when your youngest son grows up into a fine man, and you have a special dinner for his birthday and ask him what he wants served, if he answers, "Pork chops", then go ahead and make these. They were a big hit to the pork loving people at the table. A little different than regular ole pork chops. Easy to  prepare, too.

You will brown them in the skillet, then bake in the oven, They are very juicy! People will smile.

You will need:

SAUCE:

* 1/2 cup honey                               
* 1/4 cup soy sauce                     

*1 pinch cayenne pepper                                 

*1 pinch freshly ground black pepper, or to taste 
                    

* 4 center-cut boneless pork chops - 1/2-inch thick  
* Canola oil    
* Salt and pepper to taste                                 

  Preheat oven to 400.
              
Mix honey, soy sauce, cayenne, and black pepper in a bowl.  Brush chops with oil on both sides, and sprinkle with salt and black pepper.


 Pour some sauce over and place chops in frying pan and cook on high just till nicely browned on one side. Repeat on the other side. Remove and place in a  greased baking dish. Pour sauce over top and bake for 30 minutes (test for doneness).


Enjoy~Everything in Moderation

Guess who's coming to dinner? And he's bringing MEATLOAF! And Some FREEBIES!

*UPDATE!!!!!

We have 2 winners- MARY at My NEW 30 and Helen at PAPRIKA IS GOOD BUT NOT IN COFFEE!
CONGRATULATIONS LADIES!
~~~~
Last week, I was approached by the people at COUNTRY BOB'S and asked if I would be willing to try some of their all-purpose sauce and review the recipe on this blog site.

In exchange, they would be willing to let me offer my readers 2 chances to win a couple of bottles to try for themselves!

SO, I'm leaving you one of the recipes they sent me to review, along with my review of their product.

All YOU must do to enter the contest is LEAVE A COMMENT in my comment section telling me why you would like to try this sauce!



Country Bob's Meatloaf



You will need:

1 1/2 lbs lean hamburger
1/4 cup chopped onions
12 crushed saltine crackers
2 eggs, beaten
1 T Country Bob's Seasoning Salt
1/4 tsp pepper
3/4 cup Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup flour

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together, place in baking dish, shape in loaf, pour a little more Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce on top and bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

*Let me start by saying, that I was thrilled when I read the list of ingredients on the back of the bottle of COUNTRY BOB'S All Purpose Sauce to find that they were truly ALL NATURAL! Not one word on there that I didn't recognize and couldn't pronounce.

When I checked the flavor before adding it to the food, (Finger test) I found the flavor to be sweet and tangy- just the way I like my sauce.

The recipe turned out moist and delicious, and just as I suspected, the delicious sauce lent it's sweet/tangy flavor to the meatloaf to creat a more tantalizing flavor!

You gotta' try this sauce!

If you want to try it for free, leave me a comment for your chance!

*CONTEST IS OPEN UNTIL Midnight (CT) ON Thursday, April 30.
I will announce the winner on Friday, May 1st!