Chicken breast in sweet fig sauce

 

 

 

My neighbor gave me these beautiful figs and I immediately thought of the wonderful dish that my husband had in Madrid this Summer.  It was roasted strips of beef with this rich fig sauce.  I then thought to recreate my own recipe with chicken breast but of course you could use pork loin or beef.

 

 

INGREDIENTS FOR THE SAUCE

 

1/2 pound of fresh figs

1/4 cup of Balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup of white wine

1/8 cup of soy sauce

1 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. of fresh ground pepper

1/8 cup of honey of Agave nectar

1/2 cup of water

 

Peel and cut into squares the figs.  Add all the liquid ingredients and bring to a boil. Then continue cooking at medium heat for about 15 to 20 minutes till the water has evaporated and figs have a deeper rich color.

 

In a separate pan add one Tbsp. of olive oil and one Tbsp. of butter.  Sauté a chopped  medium onion and three cloves of garlic till golden. 

 

Place onion and fig sauce in a blender and blend at high speed till all ingredient become a soft paste.  Add a little bit of water if sauce becomes too thick.

 

Take two or three chicken breasts and clean and fillet in half.  In  a shallow pan add a couple tsps. of butter and olive butter.  Place seasoned  breast (seasoned with  salt, pepper and garlic) and grill quickly both sides till golden brown. Add 1/4 cup of red wine  Then place in a baking dish and pour sauce over chicken and finish baking on a 350 degree oven for about 20, to 30 minutes.

 

Serve with potatoes or rice and your favorite vegetable.

 

 

 

Healthy Italian Pizza

EASY PIZZA DOUGH

3 cups of flour ( use bread flour)

If you would like to make this a part whole wheat recipe, use half whole wheat flour.

1 1/2 tsp of active yeast

1 small tsp of salt

1 large Tbsp of Olive oil

1 cup of warm water

Mix and knead ingredients in a mixing bowl for about 5 to 10 min. 

Then place in a pre-greased in olive oil bowl. Cover with a clean cloth or plastic and place in a warm oven to rise  for an hour.

 After the one hour, it should have at least doubled or more in size.

Punch down and put over a flour surface and knead for a couple of minutes. Then shape into two round or rectangular pizzas if you would like thin crust.  If you prefer a thicker pizza , then use the whole amount for one pizza.  Cover and let rise for half an hour.  Then cook in a 400 degree oven for 5 min. Take out and brush olive oil over crest, a little tomato pizza sauce and them fresh tomatoes, red and green bell peppers, onion, Italian style turkey sausage ( all ready cooked and minced) cover with shredded Mozzarella cheese. Add mushrooms, and grated Provolone cheese. Add sliced black olives.
You are ready to place in a hot 400 degree F oven till it is brown and cheese is bubbling.

Enjoy!!

ZUPPA TORTELLINI (Italy)

Zuppa Tortellini has become one of our family favorites.  Not too long ago I was shopping at my local supermarket and they were having a special on turkey sausage and fresh cheese filled tortellini.  My son was with me so I had him try the  Zuppa Tortellini soup they were  offering to encourage shoppers to buy the products. He is 10 years old and I'm always looking for healthy food that he will eat for dinner. He loved it so I did buy that day the two products,  but later I  bought different ingredients and made it my own recipe, which we all love even more. Here the recipe!

INGREDIENTS

One package  of fresh tortellini ( cheese filled)

One package ( one pound) of fresh italian sweet turkey seasoned sausage

One medium size bag of spinach

One small glass of white wine

One can of chicken stock or chicken bouillon

6 cups of water

salt and dry basil to taste

Couple of TBSP of olive oil

Optional one large peeled tomato

Garnish with  grated Provolone cheese

In an open deep pan put the olive oil and brown the sausage, removing it from its cases. brown in lumps and then add the wine. Add the stock and water and then add salt and basil.  Once it starts to boil add the tortellini and the bag of spinach and the optinal tomato.  Once the tortellini is tender ( do not over cook) you may then serve in bowls with the grated provolone.

As you see this is a very simple version and easy to make recipe of Zuppa Tortellini!