Perfect Roast Chicken.

... "Dinner. Who doesn't want to come home to a hot cooked meal? James​ didn't think that I would have candlelight dinner on the table when he got home from work tonight.

Perfect Roast Chicken - Whole Roaster Chicken. KSnP. Thyme. Rosemary. Oregano. Garlic. Lemon. US Butter. EVOO. Onion. Carrot. Fennel.

Sometimes the most easiest meals can be such an elegant one. With the rain pouring down - James and I didn't want to go out; neither Wally or Eva. I turned down the lights and lit votive candles. I told James that I was going to workout immediately after work - it was Abdominals Day. Ugh. Anyway - I did all the mise en place this morning and threw it altogether last minute and put in the oven before I worked out for 2 hours. He walked in soaking wet and angry because he didn't have an umbrella, but when he saw the lights were turned off and one of my favorite YouTube live jazz radio stations playing and smell of aromatics filling the whole flat - his anger turned into happiness. That's all that matters - cooking for the one you love and be unpredictable ... sometimes." /about ready to carve into this 7 pound chicken and eat dinner whilst talking to James about his day at work ... not to mention giving Wally and Eva some chicken too

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Chicken Cacciatore. Parsnip Purée. Arugula Salad.

... "Today was a busy day. James and I went back up to our townhouse to cleanup the second floor and get more of my junk. We are getting new carpet for the second floor next week. With all the errands we also had to do in the suburbs, James wanted a quick Italian dinner and favorite vegetable on the table. I had to make it somewhat paleo-friendly ...

Chicken Cacciatore: Chicken Leg Quarters. SnP. VO. Cremini Mushrooms. Onion. Red Bell Pepper. Tomato Paste. Garlic. Rosemary. Red Pepper Flakes. White Wine. Diced Tomatoes. LS Chicken Broth. Basil.

Parsnip Purée: Parsnips. SnP. Heavy Cream. Thyme. Garlic. US Butter. EVOO.

Arugula Salad: Argula. Lemon Zest. Lemon Juice. EVOO.

With time being a factor - shopping for ingredients, mise en place, actually cooking, serving/food styling, taking countless photos, photo editing in LightRoom, and finally posting the finished presentation plate on social media ... it's very time consuming. In the end though, I finished everything in less than three hours. That's not bad for a time crunch." /needs to head to the gym and do some more crunches to get rid of this flabby belly

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One-Pan Pork Tenderloin with Green Beans and Potatoes.

... " I haven't cooked a Sunday dinner all summer. Autumnal temperatures and the breeze off the lake were quite refreshing today. On Friday, Rush University Medical Center hosted the last 'Rush Fresh Market' of the year. Midwest Foods was there selling fresh produce and I got inspired once again to cook ...

One-Pan Pork Tenderloin with Green Beans and Potatoes: US Butter. Chives. Garlic. S & P. Pork Tenderloin. Hoisin. Green Beans. EVOO. Fingerling Potatoes.

I bought the green beans and the fingerling potatoes from Midwest Foods. The pork tenderloins were from Peoria Packing Butcher Shop in Chicago. One must to get to know local vendors. Local vendors always have the freshest ingredients available. Granted, I don't mind grocery shopping from my local supermarket, but the knowing where you food actually comes from is quite fulfilling - mentally and through your stomach.

James was out for a while running errands and when he got back he wondered where we were going for dinner. I told him I was making dinner and he was shocked. The tables and not to mention the leaves on the trees have turned and I'm going start cooking healthy and including paleo-friendly meals. Stay tuned for more." /wondering if I should take out my Crockpot out of the closet

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Thai Coconut-Curry Braised Chicken.

... "So, as promised I made dinner instead of my usual going out to dinner. James​ wanted something quick for dinner and I wanted to use some of the spices that I bought in the last couple of days ...

Thai Coconut-Curry Braised Chicken: Dried Mexican Chilies. Shallots. Scallion. Garlic. Ginger. Lime Juice. Lime Zest. VO. Fish Sauce. Five-Spice Powder. Ground Cumin. Water. BL-S Chicken Breasts. Coconut Milk.

I chose to do a hybrid of two recipes. I wanted to play in the kitchen - heck, I had all day to cook since I've been on nights. Honestly, I like working the night shift. It's quiet and I can get all of my work done without interruption, well, there are some medical emergencies I have to tend to, but alas, I get the job done Just like dinner, I had to get the job done, the cook, the picture, the photo editing, the blog post, and finally - eat. People just don't know how long it takes and the planning I have to do just to get one shot that captures everything I want to say. At the end of the day ... meal? It's all worth it in my book - in my blog rather." /scurries off to work to save lives

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Roast Chicken with Root Vegetables.

... "Sunday night dinner. A weekly ritual that I promised myself to keep as a 2017 resolution, but I already broke it two weeks in a row. I was determined to make dinner tonight. I asked James what he wanted for dinner. He didn't want beef, because we've maxed out prime rib and steak for the last couple of weeks. I didn't want to talk to my new butcher for a pork roast nor my new fishmonger for salmon fillets. So, chicken it is.

Roast Chicken with Root Vegetables: SnP. Sugar. Garlic. Fresh Bay Leaf. Chicken. Water. LS Chicken Broth. Red Potato. Parsnip. Fennel. Shallot. Carrot. Onion. VO.

I haven't really brined anything in my past - so, I wanted to prove that brining does work. I will say that it really does! James and I were surprised how juicy and moist the chicken was and the roasted vegetables with the chicken stock reduction gave it the vegetables that 'umph' it needed. Regardless, back to the main story, I have to focus on cooking again at least 2 to 3 times a week and I promised myself that I would up my photography game too by using soft light boxes and using my camera tripod ... not to mention to take a food photography class. I think I'm on a good start with my resolution." /wonders that I'm going to make this week for dinner ...

THE PANTRY PANDA ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

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