a lovely living

Now that the weather is pulling us outdoors and the thought of too much prep time in the kitchen is becoming less desirable, I wanted to share a quick recipe that I’ve used around here. It’s a basic skillet chicken topped with a mustard cream sauce that somehow transforms it into something spectacular. It’s so simple to whip up and yet ends up with incredible flavor that totally makes the dish. You may even want to use it to top your side dishes as I inevitably did :)

Here’s the recipe I used via Cooking Classy:

Ingredients

3 – 4 (6 oz) boneless skinless chicken breasts
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 clove garlic, finely minced
1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 Tbsp dijon mustard
1 tsp chopped fresh thyme, plus more for garnish
1/2 tsp dried sage
1 tsp honey

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season both sides of chicken with salt and pepper. Add chicken to hot oil in skillet and cook 5 – 6 minutes per side until cooked through (chicken should register 165 degrees in thickest part of chicken on an instant read thermometer). Transfer to a plate, cover with foil to keep warm.

Add garlic to remaining oil in pan and saute 10 seconds, then add chicken broth, cream, mustard, thyme and sage and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened slightly, about 1 – 2 minutes. Stir in honey and (if needed) season lightly with salt. Serve chicken with sauce over top and garnish with additional thyme leaves if desired.

It must be the beautiful spring weather that has me in the mood to not only change up my wardrobe but also to start incorporating more fresh and lighter foods. Although this dessert isn’t necessarily ‘lighter’ in fat or calories (unless you’re counting the fact that I used reduced fat Oreos and cream cheese?), it’s certainly a fun and refreshing treat for your family or friends to enjoy. Both of my children loved being involved in the prep work for this one. I think they were just drawn into the layering action….or the Oreos…that’s more likely. Regardless, it’s awesome. Just make sure to chill it for a while before preparing the individual servings. I’d say closer to 2 hours to make sure it has time to chill through. The colder the better in my opinion.

Banana Nutella Trifle via Glorious Treats:

Ingredients:

Oreo Crumble
10 whole oreos
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Whipped Cream
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 Tablespoons powdered sugar

Nutella Cream
4 oz. (1/2 of a block) cream cheese
1/3 cup Nutella (hazelnut spread)
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup powdered sugar

2 ripe bananas

Directions:

Prepare oreo crumble-
Place cookies (cookie and filling) in a large ziplock bag and use a rolling pin to crush the cookies. Place crumbs in a bowl and pour melted butter onto crumbs. Stir until crumbs are evenly moist. Spread crumbs onto a rimmed baking sheet and bake at 350*F for 6-8 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool. (Crumbs may appear soft and/or oily when still hot, but will become crisper as they cool).

Whipped cream-
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add vanilla and powdered sugar (while mixing) and continue to beat until the cream has more than doubled in volume and when you stop the mixer and lift up the whisk, the cream stays in place. Be careful not to over beat, or the cream will become clumpy and too stiff. Scoop finished whipped cream into a bowl and keep in the fridge as you prepare the remaining layers.

Prepare Nutella cream-
In the bowl of an electric mixer (no need to wash if there are small remnants of whipped cream), beat cream cheese until smooth. Add Nutella and blend until fully incorporated. Continue mixing and slowly pour in heavy cream. Beat until the cream is fully incorporated and the mixture has thickened and increase in volume. Add vanilla and powdered sugar (while mixing). Mix until all ingredients are well blended and the mixture is light and fluffy. Place in the refrigerator until ready to assemble desserts (up to 2 hours).

Assemble dessert-
Both the whipped cream and the Nutella cream can be placed (separately) in a large piping bag or large ziplock bag for easy (and prettier) layering. You may also simply spoon those elements into the dishes.
Slice bananas.
Begin assembly by adding a spoonful of oreo crumble to the bottom of each dish. Add a layer of Nutella cream, then a layer of sliced banana. Repeat layers… crumbs, Nutella, bananas. Add a layer of whipped cream and garnish with a slice or two of banana and a few oreo crumbs. Garnish just before serving. If making ahead, the desserts can be store in the refrigerator (without the garnish) for up to 2 hours. Save 1/2 of a banana (in the peel) and slice just before serving.