My triumphant return to the stove: Chicken Piccata with Parmesan Couscous

I cooked again! And the weird thing was I remembered where all the tools were :P Although initially it was like calling the doctor to make an annual check-up appointment, even though you haven’t been in four years… or maybe even like pulling teeth pre-Novocain… or maybe even going to work without coffee (the worst of all  three!) … But once I got over that initial hump of “holy crap, how do I do this?” … it was GREAT! I forgot that cooking isn’t a chore with the right foods, some good tunes and maybe a glass of wine (or two) – but rather it’s really enjoyable and fun! And the best part, by far, is putting that creation on the table and seeing someone’s face when they take the first bite. 

Thursday night I cooked Pepper Encrusted Eye of Round with mushrooms and onions… simple, but delicious! I just picked up steaks at the new WHOLE FOODS (like a block from where we live!) and threw them on a skillet – 3 or so minutes per side, a good 7 minute rest and she was perfect… But completely not recipe or blog worthy – that was a blindfolded dinner night!

BUT THEN…

right afterwards…

as if some bolt of lightning would strike if I didn’t…

I cooked Orechiette with cherry tomatoes and arugula so we could chow something healthy for lunch! TWO meals in one night – what came over me?! Well, it smelled delicious (per usual), looked delicious (per usual) and tasted DELICIOUS (yes, per ususal!) Who wouldn’t want to cook that!

…but my momentum was short lived. Friday was a rough day, so Chinese food it was. How healthy am I? Gross.

So I woke up Saturday morning, threw on my yoga gear and went to class… only to have it canceled because of a no-show teacher! UGH! Work with me here world!  Even though it was a holiday weekend, I was going to work out! I came back to the apartment, changed and quickly stomped out 1.5 miles and a few weight reps… FINALLY! Another victory!

…and then we went to the Sox/Astros game… and it was beer, hot dogs and more beer *sigh* the contrast is stark. But really, what are you going to do? Hot dogs are delicious and beer is well… beer!

Turn the page to the next day (Sunday I think it is now) and here we are bumming around, cleaning, playing with Chili… Cereal for breakfast, orechiette pasta for lunch.. and dinner comes around… what do I do!? COOK DANG IT! I COOK! Chicken Piccata with Parmesan Couscous …mmmmm!

Chicken Piccata

Ingredients

×          4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, butterflied so they are pan-cook thin

×          1/3 cup whole wheat flour

×          2 tbs grated Parmesan cheese (do it fresh!)

×          Salt and pepper

×          4 tbs oil (olive or grape, your choice)

×          2 tbs butter

×          1/2 cup chicken broth

×          3 tbs lemon juice

×          1/4 cup brined capers

×          Parsley, chopped

Major Instruments

×          Skillet, large and non-stick

Instructions

1.       Combine flour, parmesan, salt and pepper in shallow bowl

2.       Rinse butterflied chicken in cool water and dredge in flour-cheese mixture

3.       Heat 1 tbs oil in skillet on medium. Once heated, place half of chickens in an cook through on both sides, approx 3-4 minutes per side). Remove first string of chickens once cooked through, add next 1 tbs oil, add remaining chickens… cook though as you did the first

4.       Combine 2 tbs oil, butter, broth, lemon juice and capers in skillet on medium. Cook liquid down 1/3-1/2 it’s original volume (5 minutes top).

5.       Remove from heat and place chickens back on skillet… Just to get them coated with the liquid.

6.       Serve with chopped parsley and Voila!

Parmesan Couscous

Ingredients

×          2 cup chicken broth

×          1 tbs butter

×          10 oz dry couscous

×          1/3 cup parmesan cheese

×          1 tbs lemon juice

×          1 tbs oil (olive or extra virgin)

×          Salt and pepper

Instruments

×          Large pot with lid

Instructions

1.       In large pot, bring broth and butter to a boil.

2.       Add couscous, stir, cover and remove from heat. Let rest 5 minutes.

3.       Stir in remaining ingredients and enjoy J