Marcia, Marcia, Marcia

Last week, feeling a little blue about something (as is normal for me from time to time), my cousin Jennifer said “you need a little pick me up.”  YES, I thought, please God let her have a flask in her bag.  Alas no.  Instead she said “let’s go to the Barnes and Noble”.  The excursion ended up being a success though because I bought the new Janet Evanovich book and a scone (not actually in that order) and was feeling a little better.  Happier now, and back in the car, Jennifer said “that was fun.  Now let’s go to…”…PRAY GOD let it be lunch.  Let it be lunch…lunch downtown…let it be lunch...I'm so hungry, please be lunch. “That was fun.  Let’s go to …yes, lunch…wait, no, that didn’t sound like lunch.  Wait, what’d she say?  “Let’s go to the second hand store???”  Huuuuuuh????  Then she said “you’ll thank me later.” Grrrrrrrr……

So we get there.  And I'm grumpy.  But then inside, I see it.  There it is in the corner.  The super-cutest, most awesomest, totally amazing purse EVER!  I get even closer and notice:  the original tags are still on it.  AND it comes with the original satin drawstring bag they give you to protect your little gem from harm when not in use (because if you can’t tell by the picture, it’s SUEDE!).  And right next to it, a Coach wallet.  Shut UP!  $64 bucks, out the door.


my groovy new purse
 

Now I know you're looking at the picture and thinking I’ve lost my mind, but here’s the deal:  I love it not so much because it’s perfect for summer (which it is!)…but because it looks like something Marcia Brady would carry with her to Westdale High!  And because it’s Marcia’s, I know Jan would then steal it to take on her fake date with George Glass.  And then I’m thinking, too, that if only she HAD stollen the purse from Marcia, she would have had money with her to pay for the engraving on the silver platter, or a place to put her charm bracelet so she didn’t knock over the house of cards.  Don’t you see?? I HAD to have this purse.  It was meant to be.

SO…in keeping with this theme (which, to quote Jan herself, is “absolutely positively goofy”...lol):  what recipe is it, do you think, that I’d like to share with you later this weekend??  As if I even had to ask.  You know where I'm going with this.  That’s right......coming soon...PORK CHOPS AND APPLESAUCE!!

Chicken Breasts with Tarragon

Invite your boyfriend's mother over for lunch!  Go on...you'll love it, and so will she.  Uncork a nice cold pinot grigio to share while you're making this, and then settle in for the afternoon so you can talk wonderfully and sweetly about the man you both love.  It's a day neither one of you will ever forget.

I made this for the mother of my first real serious boyfriend, the one right after college that you're SO crazy about you just know for SURE you're going to marry no matter what.  I did get two marriage proposals from him but, sadly, it was not meant to be.  Though we have long since parted, he will remain in my heart forever, as will this day with his mother.  Porter and Leila, this is for you...

---------------------------------------------

Warning:  Don't let the tarragon in this recipe fool you into thinking this is a delicate dish.  It's a throwback recipe of my grandmothers, created in the 1950's, when lunch was not only a meal, but an event.  It's filling, so I like to pair it only with a cool salad of romaine leaves and a light vinaigrette...and of course, 750 delicious milliliters of the chilled pinot grigio mentioned above.  



2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (pounded thin)
1/4 cup flour + 3 tbs.
5 tbs butter
1 tbs. chopped shallot
1/2 cup (maybe more!) dry white wine
1 tsp. dried tarragon
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup half & half
fresh parsley (for garnish)



meat pounder

Salt and pepper front and back of chicken breasts, then dust lightly in flour.

In skillet, melt 3 tbs. butter.  Brown chicken and transfer to platter.  Add shallots to skillet and sauté briefly.  Add wine.  Cook liquid over med-high heat until almost evaporated, scraping sides of pan.  Mix remaining flour together with some extra wine, and add to pan.  Add tarragon.  Stir in chicken broth and whisk. 

Return chicken to skillet and wash/dry platter.  Cover and simmer on low for 25 minutes.  Remove chicken to platter.

Drop remaining butter in skillet.  Add cream and whisk.  Heat, stir, and pour over chicken.  Sprinkle with some fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately (serves 2)

Good News

Jon Bon Jovi called:  Tommy and Gina made it ALL the way there.
Phew!  I was sweatin' it... :)

Rum Punch

It's been my experience that all you need is a double batch of this punch, some solo cups, and someone special to kiss underneath the fireworks for the best summer EVER  :)

------------------

1 64-oz can pineapple juice
1/2 cup coconut rum
1 cup dark rum

Make this the morning of the day that you want to serve it. Mix all ingredients together, stir and chill in the refrigerator.  

Serve cold, over ice