oven-roasted chicken thighs with carrots and yukon gold potatoes

based on a recipe from Bon Appetit, March 2009

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F

Mix:

2 teaspoons salt

1 - 1.5 teaspoons black pepper

2 teaspoons dried thyme (or herbes de provence)

0.25 teaspoons ground nutmeg

In large rimmed baking pan:

1 tablespoon olive oil to coat

6 large bone-in skin-on chicken thighs (~2.25 pounds)

Sprinkle half of salt/pepper/thyme/nutmeg mixture on chicken

Roast until chicken starts to brown, about 30 minutes

Combine:

2 pounds unpeeled medium Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into pieces

2 pounds medium carrots, peeled and cut into pieces

Sprinkle with remaining half of salt mixture

Transfer thighs to bowl and set aside

Transfer potatoes and carrots into baking pan and turn to coat with drippings

Roast until vegetables soften, about 30 minutes

Please thighs on roasted vegetables

Pour accumulated juices from chicken onto chicken

Roast until chicken is cooked and vegetables are browned, about 15 minutes

Place chicken on platter, top with:

3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

ann's greek salad

Based on a recipe sent to me by Ann.

serves 4 as a main dish, more if used as a side salad.

Mix in a bowl:

1-2 packages of greens (based on 10 oz bag)

1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1 inch pieces

1 green bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1 inch pieces

1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved

1 cucumber, thickly sliced

0.5 red onion, thinly sliced

0.25 pound (4 ounces) feta cheese

0.5 cup kalamata olives

1 tablespoon capers

To prepare the dressing, whisk together in another bowl:

0.25 cup wine vinegar (red or white)

1 garlic clove, minced

1 tablespoon fresh dill, minced

1 teaspoon dried oregano

0.5 teaspoon salt

0.5 teaspoon black pepper

0.33 cup olive oil, drizzled in while whisking the above ingredients.

Use as little or as much dressing as you prefer.  Save leftover dressing for later!

chicken with dijon mustard cream sauce

Prepare:

1 pound thin-sliced chicken breasts

0.25 teaspoon salt

0.25 teaspoon pepper

Saute chicken in 2 tablespoons olive oil.

Remove chicken to a plate.

Add:

0.25 cup white wine

0.25 cup chicken broth

Cook until reduced by half

Whisk in:

0.5 cup whipping cream

2 tablespoons dijon mustard

1 teaspoon dried tarragon

salt and pepper to taste

Add back juices from resting chicken.

Serve chicken with sauce.

Good with pasta or rice.

gorgonzola pasta

Cook:

1 pound pasta

For the sauce:

2 tablespoons butter

1-2 cloves garlic, minced

0.25 cup chicken broth

0.25 cup whipping cream

0.25 pound crumbled blue cheese

salt and pepper to taste

optional:

sliced bell peppers, sauteed

toasted walnuts

sliced mushrooms, sauteed

pancakes

based on the recipe in The All New All Purpose Joy of Cooking (1997)

makes about eighteen four-inch pancakes

In mixing bowl, combine:

1.5 cups flour

3 tablespoons sugar

1.5 teaspoon baking powder

0.5 teaspoon salt

In a second mixing bowl, combine:

1.5 cups milk

3 tablespoons butter, melted

2 large eggs

0.5 teaspoon vanilla

Pour dry ingredients into wet.

Stir.

Pour 0.25 cup batter onto hot griddle, then flip.

optional:

add fruit (blueberries, bananas, etc.)

Serve with pure maple syrup!!

chicken piccata

based on a recipe by Giada De Laurentiis made by Ann for us for Mom's 63rd birthday

Season with salt and pepper:

2 packages thin cut chicken breasts (or 2 skinless boneless breasts butterflied, then cut in half)

Dredge in all-purpose flour.

In large skillet over medium high heat:

2 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons olive oil

Add chicken, cook until browned (about 3 minutes each side).

Remove and transfer to plate.

Repeat until all chicken is cooked.

In the pan:

0.33 cup fresh lemon juice

0.5 cup chicken stock

0.25 cup capers, rinsed

Bring to boil, scrape up brown bits.

Check seasoning.

Return chicken to pan and simmer 5 minutes.

Remove chicken to plate.

Add:

2 tablespoons butter

Whisk vigorously, pour sauce over chicken.

Garnish with:

0.33 cup fresh parsley, chopped.

chicken noodle soup

based on a recipe from America's Test Kitchen

In a dutch oven on medium high heat, prepare the stock:

1 tablespoon oil

1 pound ground chicken

1 small onion, chopped

1 medium carrot, chopped

1 medium celery rib, chopped

Cook for 5-10 minutes

Reduce heat to medium low and add:

2 cups water

4 cups chicken broth

2 bay leaves

2 teaspoons salt

2 bone-in skin-on chicken breast halves

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes.

Transfer chicken breast to a plate.

Cook 20 minutes more at a gentle boil.

Strain stock.

Skim off fat.

In a small bowl:

3 tablespoons corn starch

0.25 cup cold water

In dutch oven over medium high heat:

Return the chicken stock

Add the corn starch mixture

Bring to a gentle boil.

Add:

1 onion, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

1 celery rib, chopped

Cook 10-15 minutes

Add:

1 package frozen egg noodles, thawed

Cook 5 minutes

Add:

the chicken, shredded

salt and pepper to taste

winter vegetables and beef soup

based on a Bon Appetit recipe (March 2006) and an American's Test Kitchen recipe

about 6 main course servings

Combine in a bowl:

1 pound sirloin tip steaks, 0.5 inch pieces

2 tablespoons soy sauce

In a large Dutch oven on medium-high heat:

1 pound cremini or button mushrooms, quartered

1 large onion, chopped (about 1.5 cups)

Stir frequently, until onion pieces are brown and dark bits form on pan bottom, 8-12 minutes.

Transfer vegetables to a bowl.

Add the beef and cook until brown, 6-10 minutes.

Add:

2 tablespoons tomato paste.

1 garlic clove, minced.

Stir constantly, about 30 seconds.

Add:

0.5 cup red wine

Scrape bottom of pot, cook until syrupy, 1-2 minutes.

Add:

4 cups beef broth

2 cups chicken broth

4 medium carrots, cut into 0.5 inch pieces (about 2 cups)

2 large yukon gold potatoes, diced (about 2 cups)

1 tablespoon fresh thyme

2 bay leaves

Also, add the mushrooms and onions.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until vegetable and meat are tender, about 45-50 minutes.

Add (optional):

0.5-1 cup frozen corn kernels

0.5-1 cup frozen peas

0.5-1 cup frozen green beans

2 cups beef broth (optional, to thin the soup)

salt and pepper, to taste

potato leek soup

based on the recipe in The All New All Purpose Joy of Cooking (1997)

about 8 cups

In a soup pot:

3 tablespoons butter

6 large leeks (white parts only), cleaned thoroughly and chopped

Stir and cook until tender (but not browned), about 20 minutes.

Stir in:

4 medium baking potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced

5 cups (or one 32 ounce box) chicken stock

Boil then simmer until potatoes are soft, about 20 minutes.

Puree until smooth. Can push through a sieve for extra smoothness.

Add:

salt to taste

0.25 teaspoon ground white or black pepper

additional chicken stock to thin soup as desired.

To make vichyssoise, can add 0.5-1 cup heavy cream

Garnish with snipped fresh chives or parsley.