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Warming Up: Chicken & Artichokes!
January 31, 2006
INT. MR. R.'S KITCHEN--AFTERNOON
The cast iron skillet is back in use as chicken breasts sizzle and pop to a golden brown in olive oil. Caryn is half engulfed in a low cabinet, rooting for something that doesn't seem to be there.
With all her CLANGING, she doesn't see Hank enter, dressed in swim trunks. He swings a towel over his bare shoulder.
HANK
Looking for something?
Caryn bolts up to a standing position, her head colliding violently with an open cabinet door.
HANK (CONT'D)
Oooo. Are you okay?
He reaches out to her but she brushes off the pain with a smile, the model of professionalism.
CARYN
Yeah. What can I do for you?
She opens a can of artichoke hearts. Hank looks in the fridge.
HANK
I'm just getting a soda.
CARYN
Isn't it a little chilly for sun bathing?
She pulls her wool cardigan closed as she drains the artichokes in the sink.
CARYN (CONT'D)
You boys seemed to get plenty of sun while sailing around the world for a month.
Hank examines the tan line around his waist.
HANK
Nah. I could use a little more.
Caryn focuses on a pot of wild rice simmering on the stove. Hank sneaks a peak.
HANK (CONT'D)
I'm starved. Can I taste?
He tries to take the spoon from her, but she playfully smacks his hand away.
CARYN
I'm trying to work here.
Hank laughs and rests against the counter to watch her stir the rice.
HANK
Twenty Hollywood types cruising around on that boat and not one of them could cook. We sure missed you.
CARYN
Well, I can't say I missed you poking around the kitchen all the time.
She returns to her search in the cabinet. Hank steals a sliced mushroom from a bowl and heads to the door.
HANK
Alright, kiddo. Call me when lunch is ready.
Caryn watches him leave. As the door swings closed, she can't help snickering to herself...just a little.
This is an old recipe from Cooking Light that I've adapted over the years. Satisfying on a chilly day.
1 box of wild rice (6 oz.), preferrably seasoned like the Near East brand products
salt, pepper, paprika
4 medium-sized chicken breasts
1 TB. olive oil
1 TB. butter
1 14-oz. can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
16 oz. fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup flour
1 TB. fresh rosemary, chopped
2-1/4 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup dry sherry
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare rice according to package directions. Spoon into 13x9-inch baking pan.
2. Dusk chicken breasts with salt, pepper and paprika. Heat butter and olive oil in large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until butter is melted. Add chicken and cook unti lightly browned, about 3 minutes each side. Remove from skillet.
3. Add mushrooms to skillet and saute until mushrooms release their moisture and moisture mostly evaporates, about 5 minutes. Whisk together flour, broth and sherry until combined. Add liquid and rosemary to mushrooms in skillet. Stirring constantly, cook until sauce is thickened, about 3 minutes.
4. Arrange chicken over rice and top with artichokes. Spoon sauce and mushrooms over the chicken and artichokes. Cover with aluminum foil and bake until thoroughly heated, about 50 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Serves 4.
Posted by Caryn at January 31, 2006 01:20 PM | Printable Version | Recipe Only
Comments
YUMMMM! That sounds sooo good. And my local store just had a sale on artichoke hearts!
Hank sounds interesting. Can't wait to hear more about him.
Posted by: leannwoo at January 31, 2006 04:37 PM
whoppee -- two of my favorites ingredients: chicken and artichokes. Nice to see something with rice instead of pasta. Looks great - can't wait to try it.
Posted by: Janice at January 31, 2006 04:56 PM
Mmmmm! This sound deeelish! Kind of reminds me of Chicken Angelo if you swapped the rice out for potatoes. I will be making this right away.
Posted by: Allisa at February 1, 2006 04:32 PM
Yum! Anything with artichokes and mushrooms is right up my alley.
Posted by: Nic at February 1, 2006 08:06 PM
It's the simple things that are the best. And, Artichokes are always a hit, my favorite thistle ;-)
Posted by: Chopper Dave at February 2, 2006 10:55 AM
sounds like hank is flirrrrting with caryn... i wonder how mr r would feel... ;)
Posted by: Lil at February 2, 2006 10:56 AM
Hmmm...last time I tried cooking with canned artichokes, I was a little disappointed. HOWEVER, this sounds delish and I'll now reconsider! :-) Wonder if roasted artichokes would work...?
Posted by: Kat at February 5, 2006 07:57 AM
Never had rosemary with artichokes before -- will have to try this soon!
Posted by: Ken Sloan at February 10, 2006 03:33 PM
This looks delicious. I am definitely going to try this out.
By the way, you take really nice photos.
Posted by: Helen at February 12, 2006 10:31 AM
Looks great. In another version or even in this one, some fresh garlic and some lemon juice and/or white wine are good additions for the artichokes and chicken both--maybe add to or sub in for part of the broth. To me, the lemon/garlic thing also goes fine with mushrooms, but not everyone agrees. If you have a Trader Joe's near you, check out the frozen artichoke heart quarters--plain and relatively cheap (in L.A., $2.00/12 oz), no added salt, no messy brine, and you don't have to use up the whole package in any particular hurry once you open it. Unless you want to, of course...
Posted by: Debbie at February 21, 2006 11:49 AM
hi caryn, mmm rosemary, chicken and mushrooms. the three marry so well together. i love the photo.
Posted by: eatdrinknbmerry at February 24, 2006 01:41 AM
www.supertortilla.com
Posted by: supertortilla.com at March 19, 2006 07:56 AM
That is a great looking recipe, I would wonder if you can substitute to reduce the salt and fat, (not that its for me). Working in some avacado would also make it just my style!
Posted by: Charlotte Food Blog at June 9, 2006 04:07 PM
The chicken made this way tastes very delicious.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe with me.
Posted by: Maria loves pictures at June 16, 2006 05:39 AM
Wonderful blog ,and magnificent photos.This recipe looks delicius,whith one of my favorite ingredients...artichoke hearts!
Posted by: Sylvia at June 3, 2007 06:14 PM
It looks and sounds great...I can't wait to try it!
Posted by: Sorina at January 16, 2008 06:54 AM
aaw... have you stopped the story? I'm still hoping to hear the ending of this :)
Posted by: Isabelle at April 19, 2008 07:24 PM