What to make?

I have this problem where I go to church on Sunday, come home, and have not planned for lunch.  It happens almost every Sunday!  You think I would learn!

Today I was trying to think of something to eat after church.  The Piler and I usually go grocery shopping on Monday, so by Sunday food is often in short supply!  So I was digging around in the refrigerator looking for something to make.  I came up with some peppers, mushrooms, green onions, and half a bottle of wine.  Heaven sang as I realized I had nearly all the ingredients to one of my favorite recipes from Rachael Ray!  I quickly pulled some chicken out of the freezer. 

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon flour

• Salt and pepper

• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter

• 10 ounces mushrooms, sliced

• 1 large shallot, finely chopped

• 1 cup red wine

• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth

• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves

Directions

1. In a shallow bowl, combine the flour and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Coat the chicken, shaking off any excess.
2. In a large, heavy skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the chicken and cook, turning once, until just cooked through, about 5 minutes; transfer to a plate. Add 1/2 tablespoon butter and the mushrooms to the pan and cook, stirring, until browned, about 5 minutes; transfer to the plate of chicken. Stir in the shallot and the remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Add the wine and chicken broth and simmer until reduced by one-third, about 5 minutes.
3. Return the chicken and mushrooms to the pan, add the thyme and cook, turning, to heat through; season with salt.

I had white wine instead of red.  I prefer the red, but white still tasted delicious.  And I used green onions instead of a "shallot".  What is a shallot any way?  A glorified garlicky-onion?  And I used dried thyme instead of fresh - I can't afford fresh herbs in the winter!

 

 

 

I sliced up the peppers and threw them in a container with some garlic and olive oil.  I poured them into a pan and roasted them for 25 minutes at 450.  Delish!

Then I made some "Harvest Grains" - one of NS's favorite sides.  I stock up on it every time I go to Trader Joes!  Usually I make Harvest Grains with chicken broth, but I didn't have any so I used Vegetable Stock and water.  I definitely will stick with the chicken broth in the future.

Please forgive my horrible photography skills.

Anyways, NS and I thoroughly enjoyed the meal!  Strangely enough the Piler wasn't hungry.  So I actually got to eat for a change!

 

What's a blog post without a picture of the Piler?