Tuesday, March 10, 2009

This is no Spring Chicken (Casserole)

10 more days until SPRING!



This is more of a winter chicken casserole. It is quite chilly out and I think nothing beats a nice hot casserole for warming you up inside.

We have been quite busy so I have been a bit more reliant on packaged prepared vegetables. My vegetable preference is fresh, and while it is a little more spendy to buy veggies ready to toss in the microwave- these work well for us right now! Trader Joe's has been a great source for these. I picked up a medly of yams, turnips and butternut squash and mashed them together for a starchy side and Simon cooked up some brussel sprouts for some leafy greens.





I like this dish because it is very easy to assemble, but looks and tastes quite elegant.




Baked French Chicken Casserole



Ingredients
For each serving:
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
flour
salt
pepper
garlic powder
1 Roma tomato, seeded (2 if they're very small)
med. size mushrooms (sliced) to equal amount of tomato
Fresh or dried parsley
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup mozzarella cheese (I have experimented with many different cheeses- feel free to do the same)
olive oil
Pam spray coating



Directions
Wash chicken breasts under running water. Dredge breast(s) in flour. Place in frying pan with a few tablespoons of olive oil. Season with salt, pepper. and garlic powder. Brown on both sides. Spray baking dish with Pam. Place chicken breasts in pan. Cover with tomatoes, mushrooms, parsley, and heavy cream. Season with more salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. Add cheese and bake 10 minutes more.


For variety:Add a mixture of several types of mushrooms.Instead of fresh roma tomato (or in addition to), substitute sun dried tomatoes. Sprinkle in some fresh or dried Tarragon.




Bon Appetite!
NOTES:
*The spring chicken print is by Marylou's Art (Ad)venture at http://time2cre8.blogspot.com/ Marylou does some other great artwork as well, please take some time to check out her blog!
**I adapted this recipe from Gail Greco's Recipes for Romance Cook book : Baked French Chicken Casserole
***I mashed the Autumn medly with a drop of heavy whipping cream and a little Tbsp butter. A very nice side dish - a little sweet and very good for you.

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