Tag Archives: panko bread crumbs

Garlic Butter Chicken and Finding Peace

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A few weeks ago I got to the bank before it opened and was waiting in the foyer with an older gentleman.  As we were waiting one of the employees came through and kind of just looked at us without saying anything and closed the door firmly.  I get they have to be careful with security but I commented it would have been nice if she was friendly or said hi.

The older gentleman just said it was ok and she may be having a bad day.  He chooses to not let the negativity to affect him.  And then he just smiled.  This is how I’d like to be.  Not letting the negativity round me become internalised.  He seemed to have found his inner peace and he seemed to be enjoying life.  Have to admit I was a bit envious with that.

I hope I can find that balance!  I definitely enjoy life but it would be nice to not let myself be affected by outside forces so much.  I’m getting there.  🙂

For those of you that have followed my blog for awhile you won’t be surprised when I say one of my favourite ingredients is garlic.  We also love breaded pan fried chicken.

To bread the chicken dip it a beaten egg then panko bread crumbs.  Brown in a skillet with butter.

Garlic butter chicken 1 2016

I slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise.  One because it keeps the portions sane and two it cooks more evenly.  Once cooked remove from the skillet and keep warm.

Garlic butter chicken 2 2016

Melt a few tablespoons of butter and add 4-5 cloves of garlic that are coarsely chopped.  Saute for a couple of minutes on medium heat.  You don’t want the garlic to get browned or burnt.  Add a 1/2 cup or so of chicken stock and a 1/4 cup of dry white wine, bring to a simmer.  Add a handful of chopped fresh parsley.  Season with sea salt and pepper.

Garlic butter chicken 3 2016

While this part was cooking I cooked up some potatoes and parsnips to mash.  Serve with the chicken over the potatoes and spoon the sauce over the top.

Garlic butter chicken 4 2016

This is lovely with a glass of pinot grigio.  I don’t know what it is about panko encrusted chicken but I love it.

Pan Fried Chicken with Gorgonzola Pasta

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We’re not a sports family.  We’ll watch tennis once in awhile and the Olympics.  Which is a 180 from growing up.  I didn’t do sports but I watched a lot of sports with my dad.  It was our way of hanging out.  But now we are so busy with the kids or the house sports take a way, way back seat.  Wouldn’t trade it for the world but it’s funny how things change.

But that doesn’t mean we don’t root for our kids if they want to try their hands at sports.  We definitely aren’t the parents who yell at the kids to get the ball, overrule the coach, or expect them to become pros.  As long as they try their best, have fun, and run off energy we’re good.  In the past few years at the rec games for football (soccer) some parents would be screaming into the field.  I was just making sure my son’s shoes were tied.  Fortunately this time round I haven’t seen that yet.  And our son is blossoming which is all we can ask for.

Our daughter is part of a fantastic program in the high school.  Several high schools have set up a sports program for those that have disabilities, whether it’s physical or emotional, and they have a few students without disabilities on the field with them to guide them and support them.  I was so proud of my daughter watching her support and encourage her teammates as they try to get goals.  The kids have a blast.

I still had some gorgonzola and mascarpone cheese left over from the Filet with Gorgonzola Risotto and I didn’t want it to go to waste.  We also had some chicken to use and I was in the mood for Italian.  Let’s face it, I’m usually in the mood for Italian!

Gorgonzola chicken 1 2015

Prep the chicken before hand by coating it in a beaten egg and breading it with panko bread crumbs.  I take one chicken breast and slice it lengthwise to have two portions.  Chop up a few cloves of garlic, a bit of red onion, and a cayenne pepper.  Heat up some olive oil in a skillet.  Start with the garlic and onions.  After a couple of minutes add the pepper.

Gorgonzola chicken 2 2015

In a separate skillet heat up at least a half a cup of olive oil or avocado oil.  Once it’s hot start pan frying the chicken.  In the first skillet add sliced mushroom.

Gorgonzola chicken 3 2015

Make sure the chicken is browned evenly on both sides.  Once it is cooked set aside and keep it warm while you finish the rest of the dish.  After you remove the chicken add about a third of a cup of gorgonzola crumbles and the same amount for the mascarpone.  Toss in a handful of fresh basil.

Gorgonzola chicken 5 2015

Cook until the cheese has melted and add cooked pasta of your choice.  Serve with the chicken topping the pasta.

Gorgonzola chicken 6 2015

Grate fresh parmesan cheese over the dish.  It doesn’t have a ton of colour but it really has a lot of flavour.  And this is a quick and easy meal to throw together when you have a busy schedule.