Sunday, December 17, 2006

Roasted chicken breast with cherry tomatoes and asparagus

This weekend has been pretty hectic, mainly because as usual I am behind with Christmas shopping and take forever to do it. Yesterday I spent most of the day trying to catch up and was thwarted on some of my missions. We have also been out: today we spent the afternoon at a party and Friday night we went to some friends' for dinner. Going out for dinner at other people's houses is such a variable experience, depending on a) whether you like the people or not and b) what they cook. A) is less self-evident than it might seem: I can't be the only person who sometimes goes out wishing she was somewhere - anywhere - else. I hate duty socializing but it seems to be part of the modern day. B) is not what you might expect: that is, I am perfectly happy going to see people who can cook, can't cook, whatever; the issue is mainly about whether I am likely to be poisoned. I have been poisoned quite a few times; I must have a delicate stomach. When I was a student, I had a friend whose brave culinary concoctions challenged my constitution considerably. She once served a frittata that had sat in the sunshine all day; that frittata came back to haunt me - literally. She also used to collect the dregs of people's glasses and freeze it to use in cooking, which made me worry, when offered risotto, if I was tasting alcohol or saliva. I also suffered after someone served me frozen beef (don't ask) and after someone gave me Economy supermarket pork swimming in a tin of sweet peaches in a rewrite of a Jamie Oliver dish. I wish that people who don't know how to cook would start using the local deli and buy dinner in - they tend to flap madly when faced with making a meal and then risk poisoning all their guests - good shopping is an art in food terms, and you don't need to know how to cook to know how to shop. All that said, I was looking forward to Friday night's dinner with complete confidence, knowing a) I can relax and laugh with the hosts and b) they can cook. We had a lovely chicken casserole for the main course, followed by a to-die-for chocolate tart with icecream laced with brandy. Wow. And we had a really nice time, too.

Yesterday evening we came back late from shopping all day, exhausted and fractious because the December Saturday shopping experience has that effect, and so we decided on an easy dinner - Jamie's roast chicken breast with cherry tomatoes and asparagus. Its method is straightforward: for one person (I doubled amounts for the two of us), toss a chicken breast (skin-on) in a bowl with trimmed asparagus, cherry tomatoes, olive oil and rosemary leaves, then season. Put everything but the chicken in a tray and place the chicken breast on top; add an extra sprig of rosemary, then some white wine, and place in the oven for 23-25 minutes (200 C).


Serve drizzled with balsamic vinegar. The picture shows how simple this is; it doesn't show how delicious. I was worried it would be dry but it wasn't at all; it was very good indeed. All of these chicken breast recipes have been fantastic and really easy - anyone feeling tired, unsure what to cook, in the mood for chicken should invest in this book. Having said that, I would also cook these for friends because they require no last-minute frenzy, no anxious prodding when you'd rather be drinking an aperitif. Mmm.

19 comments:

litlove said...

Hurray! Not only a fantastically simple-looking recipe (yum) but some of my favourite anecdotes!! Poor you - I remember that fritata story in particular....

Freya said...

This looks so good! I might cook this for our Christmas Eve supper!
What are your food plans for Xmas (other than Turkey?!)
Freya x

Kathryn said...

Hi Litlove - it has wine in it - presume you could miss it out...

Hi Freya, Hmm! Saturday 23rd we are going to my parents' house and having family over for tapas. I'm making garlic mayonnaise, patatas a lo pobre, and various dips. I'm also taking a Yule log hopefully if I make it. Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve (long story but we are having 2 dinners...) is roast turkey which I've ordered - I'm cooking it a la Jamie, of course - and all the trimmings. Christmas day dinner I'm doing roast beef with beets and horseradish sauce, and cauliflower cheese. I think that is it, but I have some foodie pressies to make. Oh and I've made chestnut, sage and pancetta butter for the sprouts! Fun...

Kathryn x

Anonymous said...

This plan of yours is a plan of action, and that means
you take action every single day. You are now familiar with the
advanced search feature of Yahoo Answers, once you do a.
, to all your fans.

my webpage Internet Marketing Tips

Anonymous said...

For those who have troubles swallowing due to the texture, tablets are available to make consumption easier.
A man can develop a yeast infection in various ways.
Get the answers you're looking for.

Here is my web page ... yeast infection and yogurt
My website > yeast infection and diabetes

Anonymous said...

The irritation could then spread in the baby's buttocks and upper thigh area, as well as the genitals. Are you looking to get rid of troublesome yeast infections. Apple-cider vinegar diluted in water kills yeast and provides temporary relief.

Take a look at my webpage :: yeast infection after periods

Anonymous said...

This is usually considered a fun and effective learning method in general.

So you want to learn how to play the piano.
It is very soothing to hear the sound of piano and based on
such vast change of scales, a song sounds so melodious.


my page; piano chords and songs

Anonymous said...

The only hurdle to accessing this is of course human limitations and the fact
that the brain does not function solely as a learning tool for the human being.
I believe my exact words were "I don't want to be your dirty little secret. 28.

Also visit my blog post :: great pub quiz names

Anonymous said...

DJ spins out on Saturday nights. You must definitely be planning to make it special
and memorable by keeping a good theme, ordering the
best food and choosing the best games. 8.

Here is my homepage - pub quiz austin

Anonymous said...

- Set thoroughly cooked chicken aside. Other typical tasks were
gathering wood, shelter building, digging,
carrying a variety of heavy items, tool construction and dancing.
The Paleo Gluten Free Diet has many health claims.

my web site the paleo diet and Acne

Anonymous said...

DJ spins out on Saturday nights. Anna had been looking
through my phone while I was naked. The Bull's Head Pub, Bangkok.

My homepage free pub quiz answers

Anonymous said...

The decor on the inside of the restaurant is
absolutely beautiful. Below are listed a few popular pubs
where one can chill in Mumbai. Ask your local club to
run this for you.

Visit my site :: redtooth pub quiz Answers

Anonymous said...

Some were practical, of course, but others were psychological and emotional.
Local country clubs are offering trivia fun
for as little as forty dollars per couple. 28.

Here is my weblog :: best pub quiz names

Anonymous said...

The only hurdle to accessing this is of course human limitations and the fact that the brain does not function
solely as a learning tool for the human being. You must definitely be planning to make it
special and memorable by keeping a good theme, ordering the best food and choosing the best
games. Theme Format: It is almost like standard format of the
pub quiz.

My weblog :: pub quiz Austin

Anonymous said...

The only hurdle to accessing this is of course human limitations and the fact that the
brain does not function solely as a learning tool for the human being.
I believe my exact words were "I don't want to be your dirty little secret. They feature almost nightly drink specials and some form of entertainment every night of the week--DJ's, live music, trivia, you name it.

my website ... pub quiz austin texas

Anonymous said...

Also, we need to determine the rounds of the quiz according
to it. Anna had been looking through my phone while I was naked.
The buccal cavity is a small cavity that has neither
jaws nor teeth.

Have a look at my blog post - free pub quiz and answers

Anonymous said...

Also, we need to determine the rounds of the quiz according to
it. Brazenhead is a great place to go with your family or
for a business lunch or dinner, but if you are looking for a
party atmosphere, this isn't it. 8.

My homepage - pub quiz aberdeen ()

Anonymous said...

In other words, they go against the grain of the careers their parents had.
Local country clubs are offering trivia fun for as
little as forty dollars per couple. The buccal cavity is
a small cavity that has neither jaws nor teeth.


Also visit my website - pub quiz austin []

Anonymous said...

In that case, this kind of question should not be taken
from any show telecasted in specific country. Below are listed
a few popular pubs where one can chill in Mumbai.
28.

Visit my website ... brainstormer pub quiz answers