Saturday, February 12, 2011

If there's no chocolate

Illustrated & Designed by Jane Seabrook

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Brie-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Every month I get a little free paper called Out Town.  Each issue has local info, advertisements, and a recipe.  This month the recipe caught my attention, so last night I decided to make it for dinner.  It was soooo good that I decided to share it with all my blog friends. 

Brie-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil                                           1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 medium onion, chopped                                      3/4 cup apple cider
1 Granny Smith apple,cored, coarsely chop            4 ounces Brie Cheese
1/2 cup sliced almonds (optional)                              (rind removed, cut into chunks) 
1 teaspoon salt                                                     4 medium boneless/skinless
                                                                              chicken breast halves

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Heat oil in medium size nonstick skillet over medium heat.  Add onion, cook until very tender, about 8 minutes.  Add apple, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and 3/4 cup cider, cook until apples are tender, about 5 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Let cool slightly; Stir in Brie.  Divide stuffing into 4 equal portions.
3. Using a paring knife, make a deep and wide pocket in each chicken breast by piercing the plump, short end of the chicken breast with the knife, moving the knife gently from side to side, about 2 inches wide, within half an inch of the edges.  Take the stuffing and place into the pocket of the chicken.  Season chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.  Place in 13x9x2 inch baking dish.
4. Bake in 400 degree F oven until no longer pink, about 35 minutes (or 180 degrees on an instant-read meat thermometer).  Remove chicken to platter, keep warm.

I could not find big chicken breasts, so I used smaller breasts.  I used a meat tenderizer mallet to flatten then, then I put the stuffing in the center and rolled them closed and held them with a toothpick. I also could not find Apple Cider in any of the local stores so I used apple juice. It worked perfectly.

I served with barley pilaf (that I found in the Joy of Cooking), and fresh steamed broccoli.  Yummy!   

Saturday, February 5, 2011

What if you looked out your window and saw......


Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Wordless Wednesday, this says it all for anyone in this storm

I did NOT take this picture, it was sent to me via email.