Chicken Piccata

Here is a recipe for a delicious chicken Piccata I recently made for the family. 

• 4 skinless and boneless chicken breasts, butterflied and then cut in half
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• All-purpose flour, for dredging
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• juice of two large lemons
• 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 1/4 cup capers, rinsed
• palm full of fresh parsley, chopped

Season chicken with salt and pepper.
Dredge, lightly cover, it in flour and shake off the excess
In a large skillet over medium high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 3 tablespoons olive oil.

**Kitchen Trick** Mixing the olive oil in with the butter will keep the butter from browning and burning

When butter and oil start to sizzle, add pieces of chicken and cook for about three minutes. When chicken is browned, turn and cook other side until browned. Remove and transfer to plate. Melt 2 more tablespoons butter and add another 2 tablespoons olive oil.  When butter and oil start to sizzle, repeat with the remaining pieces of chicken. Remove pan from heat and add chicken to the plate.

Into the pan add the lemon juice, chicken stock and capers. Return to stove and bring to a boils, scraping up brown bits from the pan for extra flavor. Check for seasoning, I always add a couple extra turns of fresh pepper and a sprinkle of salt. Return all the chicken to the pan and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove chicken to platter. Add remaining butter to sauce and whisk to eliminate clumps. Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with parsley.

This is a classic favorite

Everything

Song of the Day: Everything-Michael Bublé
Listen here

You're a falling star, you're the get away car.
You're the line in the sand when I go too far.
You're the swimming pool, on an August day.
And you're the perfect thing to say.

And you play it coy but it's kinda cute.
Ah, when you smile at me you know exactly what you do.
Baby don't pretend that you don't know it's true.
'cause you can see it when I look at you.

And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, you make me sing.
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

You're a carousel, you're a wishing well,
And you light me up, when you ring my bell.
You're a mystery, you're from outer space,
You're every minute of my everyday.

And I can't believe, uh that I'm your man,
And I get to kiss you baby just because I can.
Whatever comes our way, ah we'll see it through,
And you know that's what our love can do.

So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, you make me sing.
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.
You're every song, and I sing along.
'Cause you're my everything.
Yeah, yeah

So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la


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


This song conjures the best memories every time I hear it.  I used it in one of my "imovies" of the boys. 

So fun to start the day with an upbeat song!

The Heart of Life

Song of the Day: The Heart of Life-John Mayer
Listen Here

I hate to see you cry
Lying there in that position
There's things you need to hear
So turn off your tears
And listen

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No it won't all go the way it should
But I know the heart of life is good

You know, it's nothing new
Bad news never had good timing
Then, circle of your friends
Will defend the silver lining

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No it won't all go the way it should
But I know the heart of life is good

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
Fear is a friend who's misunderstood
But I know the heart of life is good
I know it's good 


Today started with lots of tears, it was just one of those rough mornings. Holt refused to eat breakfast, Cort wanted apple juice, milk AND water and wasn't happy when I explained to him that he could only have one drink.  Parenting note: once you take a stance on something... like having three different beverages... stick to your guns (I have to remind myself of this sometimes)

I think on mornings like today, the boys often feel misunderstood because we are enforcing boundaries.

We all need boundaries. We all need patience. We all need love.


PS
Rockstar Rhett heard the song playing the the background while writing this entry and ran in to scream
"John Mayer, mommy... my favorite song!"