a pizza pie

thank you for your patience during this blogging hiatus.  I have been wrapped up in other activities, eating meals mostly out and not doing so much of the cooking. I have been visiting the farmers markets weekly and stocking up on mounds of fresh produce and then consuming it, but the cooking I've done as of late has been more of just an assembly of those ingredients, which creates good and edible food,  just not exactly the sorts of things that have recipes that might inspire others to get working in the kitchen. And so I find myself with almost a month gone by and no new posts. eeek.  not cool. baby steps to more cooking and more sharing.  this is the first of such baby steps.  a pizza creation, which will either bring you disgust or joy at the combination of toppings employed. especially if you are firmly "not a caper person", of which I can name three, you know who you are. herb trader joe's crust, capers, pineapple and red onions. sounds gross. tasted good. preconceived notions are often deceiving. nothing like a little life lesson tucked in a recipe blog. whatevs, like I said, baby steps.

If you do choose to make this the list is simple, herb pizza crust, any red sauce, grated mozzarella, sliced red onions, pineaple chunks and capers. and you've got yourself a meal.

lemon + capers = chicken piccata

ever since my mom introduced me to this dish a few years ago, I have been obsessed.  I became even more obsessed when I discovered that it's pretty breezy to make.  it's just browning some chicken, squeezing some juice and making a little sauce out of the juice and capers. easy breezy. lemon and capers. pure enjoyment.

CHICKEN PICCATA

2 skinless and boneless chicken breasts, butterflied and then cut in half
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
All-purpose flour, for dredging
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup brined capers
1/3 cup fresh chopped parsley

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge chicken in flour and shake off excess.

In a large skillet over medium high heat, melt half of the butter with half the olive oil. When butter and oil start to sizzle, add 2 pieces of chicken and cook for 3 minutes. When chicken is browned, flip and cook other side for 3 minutes. Remove and transfer to plate. Melt remaining butter and olive oil together. When butter and oil start to sizzle, add the other 2 pieces of chicken and brown both sides in same manner. Remove pan from heat and add chicken to the plate.

Into the pan add the lemon juice, stock and capers. Return to stove and bring to boil, scraping up brown bits from the pan for extra flavor. Check for seasoning. Return all the chicken to the pan and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove chicken to platter. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to sauce and whisk vigorously. Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with parsley.

Serve with pasta, I usually toss the pasta with the remaining sauce from the chicken.