balsamic chicken sandwich. with peach jam & brandied onions.

The weather has been absolutely glorious in Maine over the past week.  We are truly having that mid-summer weather.  Jediah, the pups & I have been frequenting the pebbly beaches of the Sandy River everyday. Usually this time of year it is getting shallow & basically, un-refreshing.  Not so this year, with all the rain we had earlier this summer it is simply lovely.  Stay posted for some photos of our eatings & adventures.

This recipe is based on a longing for a Thanksgiving left-overs sandwich.  I wanted to use ingredients that represented the season, while still embodying a homey, left-overs deliciousness.  Luckily, this recipe fulfilled my expectations!  The chicken, jam & onions can be made ahead & eaten cold or room temperature.

balsamic chicken sandwich with peach jam & brandied onions.

serves 4

for the chicken:

1 lb. boneless free-range chicken breast, cut into strips

1 cup balsamic vinaigrette (I use Newman's Own)

sea salt & cracked pepper

1. Marinate for a hour or up to overnight.
2. Preheat a grill or a pan over medium-high heat. Drizzle with a little olive oil & cook chicken strips for 4 minutes per-side.  Remove & set aside.

for the peach jam:

1 peach, chopped

2 TBL organic sugar

1 tsp brandy

a pinch of sea salt

1. Add ingredients into a pan over high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium & continue to cook for about 7 minutes. Using a potato masher, smash the peaches until the big lumps are gone.
2. Turn off heat, put in a jar to cool.  The jam can last up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator (if it lasts that long!).

 for the brandied onions:

1 red onion, thinly sliced

a glug of olive oil

1 TBL brandy

sea salt & cracked pepper

1. In a small pan, heat the oil over medium heat & add the onion slices.  Add the salt & pepper; cook for 6-7 minutes stirring often.
2. Add the brandy & continue to cook until the alcohol is absorbed, about 2-3 minutes.  Take off heat & set aside.

for assembling:

1 loaf of bread from the bakery (I used French bread), sliced

Vegenaise or your favorite mayonnaise

head of lettuce (Boston or green/red leaf would work)

1. Lay out the slices of bread.  Spread the jam on one side & Vegenaise on the other.  On top of the jam, add the chicken, onion, then the lettuce. Viola!

happy eatings & cheers!

maine lobster. rolls.

Nothing says "summer" like a Maine lobster roll. It is so easy, but super luxurious & special. We had left- over lobster meat from Jediah's mom's birthday feast. It consisted of a slew of Maine clams, Maine lobster & corn on the cob. So continuing the feast, Jediah made lobster rolls for dinner. Perfect.

Either you can buy a lobster or two & add them to boiling water for 3-4 minutes until the lobster shell turns pink. Then remove the meat. You can also buy already cooked/shelled lobster meat from your local fish market.

Maine lobster rolls.

Serves 2-4

2 cups cooked Maine lobster, chopped

3-4 TBL Vegenaise or your favorite mayonnaise

6 basil leaves, thinly sliced

1 tsp Dijon or grainy mustard

sea salt & cracked pepper

sweet paprika for garnishing

1. Mixed everything but the paprika together in a bowl.

hotdog rolls

olive oil or butter

1. Toast in a cast iron pan over medium heat until golden on each side.
2. Fill the rolls with the lobster meat & sprinkle with paprika (you can use a small sifter or like, me, a mesh tea steeper/infuser).

Serve with homemade coleslaw & either a crisp Maine beer or vodka/seltzer...something summery, right?!

happy eatings & cheers!

a tuna fish melt on an english muffin.

23 May 2012

This is my at-home version of a great tuna fish melt that is made at the Big Top Deli in Brunswick--except they give you two.

I just keep the oil packed- tuna fish simple, mixed with a little Veganaise, sea salt & pepper. I broil the English muffin with a tomato on the bottom, sliced onion, the tuna fish & then, a little grated cheese (I used cheddar, but Gruyere or Gouda would be good too!). When it is all melty, I just add a dill pickle & some fresh, crispy lettuce (oh, & a little more Veganaise--I know I am sick!).

I love easy & I love nooks & crannies! I am thinking a little turkey cheeseburger on an English muffin--right?!

happy eatings & cheers!