I think I enjoy the cooking more than eating, there is nothing better than to watch the smile grow after someone’s first bite. Note from Steve: I am a flow of thought writer and apologize up front if I lose you. My family is used to it.
My brother told me the other day that he gave into an urge and went to KFC. He said it was good, I still won’t go back I know it won’t hit the taste buds like my mind remembers. Once on our yearly trip to visit our sister in MN while looking for something to eat we found The coop restaurant if I remember correctly it was a small 2 or 3 tables on the corner restaurant that said they had the best fried chicken. We were very excited as was my sister. We got there went in and strolled up the the counter and ordered, the first thing they asked us was did you call the order in? Thought at was odd but they took our order and we sat down. Susan who was the most excited about the chicken ordered a burger. Soon our food came and a line started to form. We didn’t think anything of it but by the time we were done eating and heading out the line at the counter was out the front door and around the corner. We understood why it was great chicken, pressure cook then fried up juicy and delicious.
Anyway Lyn was fasting so I grabbed some boneless chicken thighs and the Air fryer.
I put flour in one bowl, beat an egg with some hot sauce in another, then gluten free panko bread crumbs in the last, you can make this all gluten free on not at all.
After dredging the chicken in flour
Coat with egg
Then into the breadcrumbs.
I had preheated the air fryer to 400 and before putting chicken in I did quick spray of oil placed the chicken in and then another quick spray.
Set the temp to 400 and 10 minutes.
Turned the chicken over 1/2 through and check with instant thermometer it was done 162 degree let sit the temp would rise to 165ish
It happened and during this pandemic. After what 3 months we broke down and needed something to eat that someone else prepared. Now visions of steak dinner, big Italian meal, Thai are roaming around our heads but our final decision ended with Kugel’s Deli A small always packed New York Style Deli. I got corned beef (lean, I had a physical coming up next week) and Lyn got the roasted turkey both on marble rye We order pickup and enjoyed the meal at home. Lyn loves the roast turkey you can watch them carve right form the turkey if you stand in the right spot.
I had to borrow a picture from their web since we gobble both our sandwiches down.
Just another quick meal, we got in the habit of buying roasted chickens from Whole foods when they are on sale for $5.99 cutting in half and Food Savering, there that word again, freezing.
This makes for a quick meal and leftovers for salads and sandwiches.
We braved the outside world Sunday armed with mask, bloves and bottle of purell and went to Whole foods during senior hours. Beside the better quality products we get a kick out of being carded. There was a line so we waited a proper 6 feet apart. I was surprised to see a few people without masks perhaps they were survivors and had anti bodies. While there, we grabbed some air chilled boneless chicken breast and also a package of bone in. Yesterday while food savering, is that a word we have a Food Saver and use it, we agreed on chicken parm for dinner.
I did the Pan-fried Chicken Cutlets then put sauce on bottom of pan, placed the cutlets spread mozzarella cheese then sauce (left over from ragu but did not have sausage in it) spinkeled so grated parmigiano. cover with tin foil. I out in refrigerator since it was still early afternoon. When i took out I placed in preheated oven at 350 degree and cooked fro about 15 minutes. removed foil and place slices of provolone cheese back in oven until melted.
This is always a good go to comfort meal that is really easy.
We loved the air-frier that Missy gave us a few years ago but a few weeks ago it died. We ordered the air-frier attachment for the instantpot and finaly used it tonight. Should say we ordered just as Amazon started with up to 1 month delivery for no. Essential items. What the heck do they know.
I was nervous because it seemed so much smaller so I baked the chicken and air-fried the potatoes. They actually came out pretty good and it has a built in turn food mode, in this case shake. I’ll have to fool around with the timing but feeling better about it. Ribs are calling me.
I love cooking and trying new things and being ordered shelter in place i’ve done a lot more. I’m trying to keep it interesting for Lyn but as I am sure you all we have both gained a little weight. Even with my almost daily 3-4 mile walks through the woods it’s been tough.
Baked potato tops with cheese, avocado and chilli, yes the potato is under there somewhereRed Onion RelishVeggie broth made from scraps good for soup baseBreakfast for supperSalad for lunches with any leftover proteins or notLots of thisSalad and cauliflower crust pizza
Had the skinny part of the pork roast leftover
made fajita and homemade flour tortillas
Chicken cacciatore sort of with lentil pasta , got to use what you havespaghetti and meatballsRavioli Puttanesca but added sundried tomatoes good additionRoasted VeggiesBoredomA very bland recipe for lettuce wraps not to be repeatedair fryer chickenAmerican GoulashA much better lettuce wrap chicken cooked from the gut
Lyn found this in the Boston Globe the only change we would make is add sundried tomatoes and add when the raisins are added.
The key to a romantic dinner at home is to keep it simple. Something quick can be just as impressive and elegant as a restaurant meal. For this dish, take thinly sliced chicken breasts and serve them with a white wine sauce made with pine nuts and raisins. If you can’t find ready-sliced skinless, boneless chicken cutlets, ring the butcher’s bell and ask the butcher to slice some or slice your own at home; one pound of chicken yields about four cutlets. Coat the chicken cutlets lightly with seasoned flour and pan-fry them. Take them out of the pan and start the sauce. Toast pine nuts first with a touch of garlic (hey, if you’re both eating it at the same time, nothing to worry about). Add raisins, rosemary, and white wine, simmer the sauce, reheat the chicken in it, and swirl in butter off the heat. Serve the cutlets on spaghettini; you can boil it while you cook the chicken. You’ve got the rest of the bottle of wine that didn’t go into the pot, a nice dish, and a quiet table away from the craze of a crowded restaurant.
1. In a shallow bowl, mix the flour with salt and pepper. Dredge each cutlet in the flour and shake lightly to remove the excess.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil. Add the chicken and cook for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, or until golden. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
3. Add the pine nuts to the pan, and toast for 3 minutes, or until they are aromatic and just beginning to brown. Add the garlic and cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes.
4. Add the raisins, rosemary, and wine. Bring to a simmer and return the chicken to the pan. Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, and stir in the butter. Swirl the pan gently until the butter is incorporated.
5. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghettini and cook, stirring occasionally, for 9 to 10 minutes, or until it is tender but still has some bite. Drain without rinsing and divide between two plates. Spoon chicken cutlets and sauce on each and sprinkle with parsley.
Pan fry 3-5 minutes until golden and remove to plateToast pine nuts then add wine, raisins, rosemary bring to boil and then bring to simmerSwirl in butter add chicken back in and simmer for 5-9 minutesplace chicken on top of bed of spaghettini and top with sauceSprinkle with chopped parsley and serve. we served with a slow rise olive bread from Nashoba Brook Bakery