Friday, January 21, 2011

I was feeling nostalgic so I made this chicken.

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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.

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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.

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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.

12 comments :

  1. That is a gorgeous dish sure to make anybody feel nostalgic!

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  2. The recipe looks fantastic. What I love is your recipe box!! Don't ever lose it.

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  3. Oh my, yes, I'm sure the house smelled absolutely ridiculously fantastic!!! So jealous. I could use some good house smells right now given my crazily hectic morning. Hooray for nostalgia :-)

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  4. Love the chicken Janis! I'll bet it did make the house smell wonderful. My mom had a chicken recipe similar to that and I always loved it when she made it. Nice picture of that artichoke too!
    I haven't visited for a while... I will have to peruse your recent posts to see if there are any new baby pics! I'll bet he is growing so fast.

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  5. Great post, I love all the spices you use, I'm sure the aroma alone brings back fond memories!

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  6. Aww I like this post. Food always brings back memories for me because it was always a part of my life. I'm surprised your "local" and "fresh" chicken was tough, boo.

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  7. Love the post. Thanks for sharing. Food always = memories! Thanks for sharing.

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  8. Gorgeous artichokes! And I love the nostalgia :] Nice post!

    <3 Marea

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  9. Old recipes are such goodies. Just like going through old recipes on blogs.

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  10. Poor tough old chicken! I know how it feels. ; ) How fun that you still have that recipe box - you should totally do a series of going through it and making old favorites.

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  11. Gorgeous artichokes! And I love the nostalgia :] Nice post!

    <3 Marea

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  12. Aww I like this post. Food always brings back memories for me because it was always a part of my life. I'm surprised your "local" and "fresh" chicken was tough, boo.

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