Doc Annie just Loves a Backyard Wedding!!! If you are planning a backyard wedding, what food choices will you present for your Family and Friends? This Wedding Officiant in York Pa just Loves the One Skillet Lemon-Rosemary Chicken Thighs with Broccoli dish choice Indeed!!!
This one-skillet recipe is packed with flavor and is oh-so-easy to prepare. The classic pairing of fresh rosemary and lemon is the centerpiece of this dish, while the addition of sautéed shallots adds a subtle depth to the flavors. When paired with frozen broccoli, you have the makings of a satisfying, low-carb meal that will soon become a favorite dish for your Wedding Guests.
Tip: Organic lemons are recommended for this dish because the skin is not removed prior to cooking.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30-35 minutes
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients:
3 T. unsalted butter, divided 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs Sea salt and black pepper, to taste 2 medium shallots, sliced thin
1 c. chicken stock, preferably organic 1½ T. fresh rosemary leaves, finely chopped 1 16-oz. bag frozen broccoli
1 medium organic lemon, sliced and cut into small, thin wedges
Directions:
Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted. Swirl to coat bottom of pan.
Unroll chicken thighs and season each side with salt and black pepper. Add seasoned chicken to hot skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until chicken is golden brown and releases easily from the bottom of the skillet. Remove from heat and transfer chicken to a plate. Cover and keep warm.
Reduce heat to medium and add remaining butter and sliced shallots to skillet. Sauté shallots, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden brown, approximately 4-5 minutes.
Add chicken stock to skillet and increase heat to medium-high. Bring liquid to a boil while using a spatula or wooden spoon to scrape up brown bits from bottom of pan. Add chopped rosemary leaves and continue cooking until liquid is reduced by about half, approximately 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Return chicken and its juices to the skillet, along with the frozen broccoli and thin lemon wedges. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until broccoli is crisp tender and chicken is cooked through. (Internal temperature should read 165°F on an instant-read thermometer).
Remove from heat and serve immediately with a spoonful of pan sauce drizzled over each chicken thigh. Garnish with additional lemon wedges, if desired. Enjoy!
Doc Annie gives this a Thumbs-Up Indeed!!!
OK, so you also want to add in a quick, soup as well...Correct? Why not try -
Hearty Minestrone Soup with Fresh Arugula
This satisfying minestrone soup features a classic combination of fresh herbs, vegetables, white beans, and pasta. Although this recipe is delicious as written, don’t be afraid to experiment a bit with the ingredients. This dish is a great way to use up any extra fresh herbs and vegetables you have available. Tip: For best results, cook the pasta separately, rather than in the same pot with the rest of the ingredients. This extra step yields more consistent results by eliminating the release of excess starch into the soup. It also prevents the noodles from becoming too soft and mushy, which means more appetizing leftovers the next day and better results when freezing for future use.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 50-55 minutes
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients:
3 T. extra virgin olive oil, divided
2-3 cloves garlic, finely minced
½ medium yellow onion, finely chopped
3 medium carrots, finely chopped
3 large stalks celery, finely chopped
1 28-oz. can petite-diced tomatoes, undrained
1 15.5 oz. can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
4 c. organic vegetable broth* 2 whole bay leaves
1 T. fresh rosemary leaves, finely chopped (or 1 t. dried)
1 T. fresh thyme leaves (or 1 t. dried) 1 T. fresh oregano leaves (or 1 t. dried) ½ T. crushed red pepper flakes Sea salt and black pepper, to taste Optional: 3” Parmesan cheese rind 2 c. Fusilli pasta 2 c. fresh green beans, cut into ½” pieces 2 c. fresh arugula Optional Garnish: ¼ c. fresh parsley leaves, chopped
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese * Use additional vegetable broth to reach desired consistency, if needed
Directions:
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and garlic in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sauté garlic, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes or just until garlic starts to turn golden brown.
Add chopped onion, carrot, and celery and cook for another 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until vegetables are soft and tender.
Add diced tomatoes, cannellini beans, 4 cups vegetable broth, bay leaves, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and red pepper flakes to pot and stir to combine. Add Parmesan cheese rind, if desired, and season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer 20-25 minutes.
While soup is simmering, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking liquid before draining pasta. Rinse pasta and transfer to a medium bowl and toss with remaining olive oil. Cover and set aside.
Remove cover from pot or Dutch oven and add green beans and the reserved pasta cooking liquid. Stir to combine and continue cooking, uncovered, another 20-25 minutes or until green beans are crisp tender.
Add arugula and additional vegetable broth, if needed, and stir to combine. Season with additional salt and pepper, to taste. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until arugula begins to wilt.
To serve, divide cooked pasta among individual serving bowls and top with hot soup. Top with chopped parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve with crusty bread and/or a crisp, green side salad for a hearty meal. Enjoy!
OK, so Doc Annie knows you will have the traditional cake and/or cupcakes for your Awesome Day, but how about adding a little twist to the mixture? How does a Carrot Cake Smoothie with Coconut Whipped Cream sound like, or should I say...Taste like to you?
The natural sweetness of the orange and carrots are balanced by a trio of complementary spices, while a spoonful of homemade coconut whipped cream serves as the perfect finishing touch. Tip: For best results, use coconut milk that does not contain guar gum to make the whipped cream.
Prep time: 10 minutes Serves: 2
Coconut Whipped Cream Ingredients:
1 13.5-oz. can coconut milk, chilled 1-2 T. maple syrup (optional) 1 t. orange zest (optional)
Smoothie Ingredients:
1 c. coconut milk 1 large banana, cut into chunks and frozen 2 large stalks celery, roughly chopped 1 large orange, peeled 4 large carrots, roughly chopped ¾ t. cinnamon ¾ t. ground allspice ½ t. ground nutmeg 4-6 ice cubes Optional Garnish: Ground cinnamon Finely chopped walnuts
Directions:
Chill coconut milk in refrigerator for several hours or overnight. To prepare, remove can from refrigerator without shaking or turning and remove lid. Scoop out the solidified “cream” from the top of the can and transfer to a mixing bowl. Reserve remaining liquid coconut milk to use in smoothie.
Add maple syrup and orange zest, if desired, to mixing bowl and blend until light and airy. Allow coconut cream to warm up slightly before blending if lumps persist. Cover and place bowl in refrigerator until ready to use.
Add the coconut milk and frozen banana to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth, around 30 seconds.
Add celery, orange, carrots, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and ice cubes. Blend on high speed until completely combined and creamy, approximately 1-2 minutes.
Pour into glasses and top with a scoop of coconut whipped cream. Garnish with a dash of cinnamon or finely chopped walnuts, if desired, and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Although these are just 3 DIY menu suggestions for your Awesome, Backyard Wedding, I hope you enjoy, and may incorporate into your Awesome Day...Let Doc Annie know your thoughts on these Menu choices, and see you around soon... Many Blessings, Doc Annie
