...and I cook!

When one lives alone, cooking is not the daily chore it is for married people. It's a creative execise that we choose to do when that craving for a "knife and fork" meal becomes overwhelming. Today was such a day for me. I started another diet yesterday and am trying to limit myself to 1,000 calories and at the same time eat a healthy, balanced diet. I'm doing oatmeal and fresh fruit every morning for my heart. I'm pretending that coffee with half 'n' half doesn't count. At lunch I have a yogurt and a banana and the pictured treat for dinner. It is a recipe I made up...chicken coated with seasonings and sauted in olive oil, then served with a lemon/dijon sauce. It makes me laugh to call it "Poop on Chicken"...get it? Poupon Chicken. The pictured plate also contains green beans and Uncle Ben's 90 second pilaf. Here's the recipe in case you want to try it. (I also pretend that a small white wine doesn't count.)

Poupon Chicken

2 medium chicken breasts
2 Tblsps. McCormick Roasted Garlic Montreal Chicken Seasoning
3 Tblsps. olive oil
2 oz dijon mustard
2 oz lemon juice
3 Tblsps. capers (optional)


Put the oil into a 10" skillet and turn heat to medium high. Coat the chicken breasts with the McCormick seasoning. When the oil is hot, put the breasts into the skillet. Cook for a minute or so then turn to seal in the juices. Turn again and then reduce heat and cover pan. Continue turning chicken periodically in order that it not get too brown on either side. When chicken is nearly thoroughly cooked, remove to a plate and add the mustard and lemon juice to the drippings in the pan. Cook and stir over low heat until a sort of gravy results (add capers if desired). Return breasts to pan and allow to simmer another 10 minutes or so. This dish goes well with rice pilaf (as shown) or any form of white or sweet potato...mashed, baked, boiled. Makes enough for 2 meals for one or 1 meal for two.