Monday, January 9, 2012

Lemon Chicken


The thing is - I keep my resolutions - pretty much. (I make them in November having learned that if I can keep them during the busy holidays - I can keep them all year). These days you will find me going through my home "bird by bird," "word by word," "file by file," and "t-shirt by t-shirt." I used to thrive in clutter - all those years directing with kids - if you didn't thrive in clutter - you were toast.

But I cannot write in clutter. My office is so filled with piles - I need to get outside to think. Luckily the weather has cooperated. But 40 and 50 degree degrees days in January are not the norm, so before winter again grasps us (Wednesday), I  have been simplifying.

This philosophy also pertains to dinner time. I want few ingredients, one graceful meal without a lot of clean-up, a supper that delivers in taste but leaves me feeling that all is in place and the evening is for reading, music, conversation and cat purrs. This lemon chicken has been appearing on my table a lot. There is a lightness of being, an ease of preparation and it satisfies all quirky appetites (we have that in my home).

Nothing says Italian better than the classic combination of lemon, rosemary and garlic.The ingredients are bright enough for spring, but the comforting aroma makes it perfect for January - a soft blanket to keep you warm and snuggled.


Lemon Chicken (This is from Saveur - The New Comfort Food - served at Los Angeles's Angeli Caffe)
Serves 4
3-1/2 pounds chicken cut into 8 pieces
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup fresh rosemary leaves
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (I used the juice of 1 lemon and called it a day)
10 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
1 lemon peel - pith removed and pulp chopped (I just zested the lemon before juicing it)
Kosher salt and pepper to taste

1. Toss the chicken pieces with the olive oil, rosemary, lemon juice, garlic, lemon zest and salt and pepper in a large bowl. Marinate for about an hour (I did longer).
2. Preheat oven to 475 degrees F. Arrange chicken in a 9x13 baking dish (or as you will) and cover chicken with remaining marinade. Roast, turning once until cooked through - about 30-40 minutes (mine took 40 minutes.)
3. Serve.

During the day, I have fallen in love with "Green Soup." I made a huge batch on Saturday, and it seems to be a tonic - to good health - to well-intentioned resolutions. It gives me a lightness of being. Just simple greens really (kale, spinach, chard, cooked  with caramelized onions and pureed in broth). And did I mention it's utterly delicious? Most important. It's the caramelized onions that transform it.

Find it here: (Try it, you'll like it.)
http://www.publicradio.org/columns/splendid-table/recipes/basic_green_soup.html

If you have a resolve to eat healthier, get a wee bit leaner, this well help you. I am all for anything that will help me!


The moon appears around 4 p.m. I always have to stop what I am doing to see it - and say a moon poem to myself. The more I rid myself of "stuff," the more I see.

Not much later, the sun sets and I have to see that also.


I like the shimmer at the end of the short day. A last blazing moment - the sun does not disappear quietly. Why should it?

And after dinner, the evening star has been outshining the moon. Is it no wonder I want dinner to be simple? I want time for this.


51 comments:

Torviewtoronto said...

delicious combination
lovely pictures

SKIP TO MALOU said...

Today, I went walking and rightly so at 4 pm it was beginning to get dark. I hurried home to make dinner. But guess what..I am not good at keeping my resolution because guess again...yeah as I sat down for dinner, I had pasta, tons of it with beef and ox tail... I should have had your lemon chicken instead, so that tonight I wouldn't feel the regret of binging hihi.
Thank you for a lovely post, you are inspiring!

Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine said...

your amazingly talented, how wonderful you put this together. Such a warmth and peaceful scenery. These photo make me want to curl up in front of a good fire sip some wine and eat this wonderful chicken, we just love lemon chicken.. Cant wait to make some!

Catherine said...

Dear Claudia, This is simple but I know very delicious. I am glad that you take time to look at the moon and the sunset. It is important to do these things and rid ourselves of the daily frustrations, to take the time to see the wonders. Blessings, Catherine xo

Velva said...

My resolutions are typically a "To Do" list that can be easily checked-off as the tasks are completed. However, this year, along with my "To Do" list came a theme approach..."Simplify" I saw that you too have the same goal. I don't know what that means for me exactly except to the things I enjoy more, less of the with things I don't enjoy. Any improvement means that it was a successful resolution.

Simple eating and de-cluttering is a great beginning followed by watching Mother Nature do her magic.

Cheers.
Velva

Reeni said...

Lemon chicken is a favorite in my house! We have 3 different versions and this is going to be the 4th. Deserves to be added to the rotation! The moon has been gloriously beautiful - you captured it so well.

Susan Lindquist said...

Okay! Your cheerful take on enjoying what gifts the sky is giving us has cheered me up a bit ... but I'm still wishing for a bit of the white stuff!

The chicken looks wonderful ... citrus and chicken are perfect together! Cheers!

Kelly | Eat Yourself Skinny said...

Mmm I love the combination of lemon and chicken, this sounds amazing :)

Jeanette said...

Love how easy and light this chicken recipe is - perfect for dinner throughout the year. I make something similar in the summer on the grill, but there's no reason not to make it now.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Beautiful looking chicken, Claudia. I could almost taste it!

Did you know this current moon is called the "Wolf Moon"? I saw that info on the news tonight.

Ciao Chow Linda said...

The moon has been such a beacon last night and tonight and I love the way you combine seemingly disparate things in your post so seamlessly. I am one who definitely needs some of your green soup tonic and lemon chicken too.

Aarthi said...

Yummy recipe…will try it for sure..Thanks for posting

Aarthi
http://yummytummy-aarthi.blogspot.com

TinaRBK said...

Your chicken looks so tasty and crispy. Lemon chicken is one of my favorites, I will need to try this particular version-yum!
Awesome nature as well as food photos! Have a great day.

Jill Colonna said...

Claudia, that rosemary, garlicky chicken looks so succulent and definitely a bearable lightness to being comforted - especially after your photo of the sun setting and snow has sent a shiver down the spine! Your green soup sounds super-duper, too.

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

The moon was jaw dropping gorgeous last night...something about seeing a full moon through the winter branches....

LOVE this chicken...lemon, rosemary and a big dose of garlic...perfect!!!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Lemon and chicken see to go together so well, like a marriage made in heaven. I never tire of the combination.
Sam

Kristen said...

For you, a gal who doesn't like winter, I am sure it's great to have balmy January days to write outside. But it's a weird winter.

The chicken looks moist, delicious and wonderful.

Joanne said...

I love your idea of making your resolutions in November! Definitely more practical.

These flavors sound perfect! You just can't go wrong with lemon and rosemary.

Sprigs of Rosemary said...

I love lemony chicken, too. And while you're simplifying, could you come and manage my piles? It's getting crowded here.

And I also love The Splendid Table. So many recipes that are both interesting and doable.

So glad your simple dinner left time for the moon.

Unknown said...

Gorgeous, wonderful chicken dish. I do love that combination (though I didn't realize it was Italian).

You put me at peace with your writing and pictures. You must have been so yourself to be able to do that. It feels very, very good. Are you sure it was the evening star that you saw? Jupiter has been shining very, very brightly these days. :)

Anne said...

I knew as soon as I saw lemon chicken, I would like this recipe. I will come back later to copy it down.
The pictures are so beautiful. I like watching the changes in the sky, is so peaceful.

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Simplify is definitely a good word for the new year. Love the simple flavour os this chicken with lemon. It rings true of Italian cooking.

Mary Bergfeld said...

It is a lovely post today. Your chicken and the green soup both sound delightful and I love the images you've shared with us. Isn't it nice to have time to reflect on the rising moon and the setting sun? I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

Peggy said...

This sounds like a perfect meal, regardless of the time of year =)

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

This by far is the best lemon chicken recipe I have come across. Your pictures really do this dish justice. I am looking forward to surprising my family with this gem!

Cucina49 said...

I can't believe how much more snow we have than Minnesota. And I hear you about decluttering--I spent several hours in my closet last weekend clearing things out. Your chicken is really beautiful and simple--I've bookmarked the recipe for future use.

Kathy said...

Such a gorgeous chicken...it's making me hungry!
I've started the new year by cleaning out my basement...I am trying so hard to get rid of the clutter!!

chow and chatter said...

lovely chicken recipe and fantastic moon and sun pictures never tire of admiring them too

chow and chatter said...

lovely chicken recipe and fantastic moon and sun pictures never tire of admiring them too

Erica said...

That chicken looks delicious,Claudia! I love the color and flavors...of that dish!

Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. said...

This chicken looks delicious! I'm with you, I like easy, no fuss, meals just like this one!

Amy said...

The moon has been amazing lately! This AM it was still there on the pink sky even though it was light out, so beautiful! My Mother would love this chicken, I may just have to make it for her (me being a vegetarian ;))!

janet said...

So much peace and beauty to found when we simplify.

Your lovely photos remind me of a book I used to read to my children when they were young, "and the moon came,too".

Thanks for sharing the green soup recipe, I know I'll enjoy it.

Lyndas recipe box said...

Can't wait to try your version of lemon chicken Claudia. It looks delicious and will surely hit the spot here.
We are expecting a cold front tomorrow and I'm not looking forward to it at all. Our weather has been warm for winter, but I can turn up the oven and have a nice cozy chicken meal.

Katerina said...

Lemon chicken in the oven is my childhood favorite and the first meal I have learned to prepare during my first cooking experiments! The first time I tried it I forgot to unpeel the garlic lol. It was very funny. Your chicken looks fabulous and the skin very crunchy just the way I eat it!

Angie's Recipes said...

Rosemary, lemon and garlic...I adore the flavours of this roasted chicken. The sunset photo looks really peaceful.

Nami | Just One Cookbook said...

I love this roasted chicken! It looks so juicy and lemony taste goes so well with the rosemary too! I am bookmarking this recipe for weeknight next week. So easy and delicious. Perfect!!

Kim said...

I love that you take the time to appreciate things like the moon and the sunsets. I find myself staring out the window in the evening captivated by the light and the colors. It's my favorite time of the day for sure.

I love this simple roasted chicken. It's something I could eat often and never tire of.

Beth said...

Thanks for sharing these lovely photos. And your lemon chicken looks divine! A delicious combination.

Bunny said...

I love the pics of the chicken so nice and golden brown, I'm drooling over here!

Mari NuƱez said...

Beautiful photos of the moon! This is one recipe I am sure I will enjoy. The chicken looks delicious.

Balvinder said...

It does feel good when you look around the beauty of nature.
I am always game for any chicken recipe. My daughter would especially love this lemon chicken.

Fresh Local and Best said...

I think that setting goals in November is a great idea, whatever survives the holiday, right? This lemony roasted chicken looks terrific.

FOODESSA said...

I do love few ingredients as well as a stream-lined comfy home...however, I admit that creativity at times makes me thrive in some complex concoctions as well.
Claudia...I incredibly share your heart towards the wonders of the beauty that nature blesses us with. I've been enjoying some of our sunrises lately...an array of colors right above the purity of the snow.

I get the feeling that chicken will be on my menu this week for sure...buon appetito!

Have a lovely weekend.
Ciao for now,
Claudia

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

What a wonderful recipe! I love pairing poultry with lemon. Your chicken looks incredibly scrumptious!

Cheers,

Rosa

Rebekah Kreger said...

So, the day you posted this lemon chicken recipe, I made it for dinner that very same night! Paired it with a tomato-basil quinoa salad and green beans almandine. Success! Thanks so much!

beti said...

lemon chicken is so simple to make and I think that it is one of the best ways to eat it, yours looks pretty good

Jo said...

This looks so good!! I've never had lemon chicken, but really want to try it.

joannadell.blogspot.com

Magic of Spice said...

That is a beautiful and classic combination of flavors...the chicken looks amazing!And I love these beautiful shots...
sun, moon and stars :)

Juliana said...

This chicken looks so tempting, great combination of rosemary, lemon and garlic...so tasty.
Awesome pictures Claudia :-)

Monet said...

Hi Claudia. I also have been longing for simple yet elegant dinners. This chicken sounds heavenly. I hope you are doing well. I'm enjoying an unseasonably warm day here in Austin and about to start baking a chocolate cake. Thank you for sharing another delicious post!