I was feeling nostalgic so I made this chicken.

Every so often I get nostalgic for when I was a mom with young children. I have had a recipe box since they were born. I don't go into it that often but once in a while something comes over me and I just need to reach back in time. At that time I didn't have lots of cookbooks. I cut recipes from the L.A. Times or got them off of packages of chicken. We weren't into "Local" and "Slow" and all of that. At that time you were either a vegetarian or you weren't. That was about the only two sides of the coin. No matter. Now I am more educated on the subject and a WAY more sophisticated cook.

Then yesterday I had to take out the box of recipes. I found this chicken recipe that I used to make the family all the time. I love how it makes the house smell. It reminds me of all sorts of good things.



Yesterday I stopped off at my favorite little market. The owner was talking to us the last time we were there and told us that he got his chickens locally and they were really fresh. I bought a chicken for dinner.



I made some artichokes to go with it. Let me tell you that the house smelled sublime. I was happy with my memories and a glass of wine and some music. Then the test came. Did it in fact still taste the same as I remembered it. Had my taste changed drastically? Well, if I could have chewed this FRESH and LOCAL chicken I am pretty sure that I wouldn't have been disappointed with the recipe. However, Dr. Food looked over at me and said "Um, is YOUR piece of chicken tough?" I had to spit out what was in my mouth to answer him. This was THE toughest chicken I have ever tasted. I don't think I have ever had this happen before. Fresh and Local yes but also a senior citizen chicken. Not good. NO it wasn't dry just not chewable.

Having said that, ignore the chicken and just make this with a younger bird. When you smell it cooking think of me as a young mom with the best two kids in the world hanging out in the kitchen playing with pots and pans while I cook.

Nostalgic Chicken
(have NO idea where the recipe came from)

1/4 C Margarine (I used butter)
1/2 tsp minced onion (I used the dry stuff)
1/2 tsp parsley
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
1/4 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp tarragon
1/4 tsp marjoram
1/2 C white wine
2.5lb chicken cut up
Parmesan cheese
paprika

Melt butter or margarine in small sauce pan. Add all the herbs and white wine. Pour over chicken and cover chicken well with the mixture. Sprinke on parmesan cheese and paprika. Bake at 350F for about an hour.