Tuscan Chicken – I Did It My Way

This morning on CBS News , I happened to hear Tony Tantillo describe a dish I think he called Tuscan chicken.  I was interested but not paying full attention because I assumed I could get on their website.  WRONG!  For some reason today’s recipe is not on the site.  I tried to remember everything he said and found a similar recipe for Tuscan Chicken which would serve as the basis for this dish.

At trip to Fairway Market to get a few ingredients and I was ready to create this dish for dinner tonight.  Here’s what I did:

1 whole roasted chicken

2 oz olive oil

3-4 cloves of garlic sliced

4-5 small Yukon Gold potatoes, thinly sliced

1 can of cannelini beans

1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)

1 med. can of diced tomatoes or 1 fresh tomato

3/4 cup chicken broth (or more if needed)

1/2 to 3/4 # of fettucine rigate

2=3 fresh sage leaves

pinch of red pepper flakes

fresh parsley

grated Italian cheese (I use whatever I have; Pecorino, Romano, Parmesan)

Large skillet or braising pan

Heat the olive oil, add the garlic and cook on MED for about 2 min.  Add the potatoes and cook another 2 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper.   Add 1/4 cup of chicken broth.  Cook for a couple minutes.  Add the pieces of roasted chicken to the pan,and 1/4 cup of chicken broth.  Cook till liquid is slightly reduced.

Meanwhile, cook pasta according to directions.

Puree the beans, using their own liquid.  Add a few drops of olive oil to puree and  1/4 cup chicken broth and/or white wine.  This is where you need to judge for yourself whether the puree is too thick – it will be the sauce for the pasta.

Add the bean puree to the pan, cover and cook for about 3-4 minutes till all is heated through.  Add sage leaves .

I put the cooked pasta in the bottom of a large flat-bottomed bowl, removed the chicken from the pan, and poured 3/4 of the sauce over the fettucine.  Place the roasted chicken pieces on top of the pasta, pour the remainder of the bean puree over the chicken and add diced tomatoes across the top.  Sprinkle with grated cheese and red pepper flakes.

Tuscan Chicken

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Erin Go Braugh

Greetings from New York City

It’s a grand day to be Irish for sure…however, if you live in New York City like I do, then even if you’re not Irish, it’s grand day after all.  The sun is shining, the City is full of green-clad, shamrock-adorned folks.  Kids are wearing Irish cable knit sweaters and green deely-boppers on their heads. Kilts in every tartan you can imagine, politicians sporting green carnation boutineers and tams.  The air has been filled all day with the wailing mournful sound of the bagpipes.

We went to the parade early today and took Finley with us.  She enjoyed hanging onto the barricade at curbside and watched as bagpipers, horn-blowers and drummers marched by.  The flags were flying, the bands marching, majorettes twirling and thousands of people walking up Fifth Avenue following the famous green center line.

It was the perfect day for a parade, not too hot, not too cold and not raining  as it has in some past years.  However, I knew it was only a matter of time before I would hear the familiar “I have to pee”.  If you’ve been to a parade with a child, you know it’s inevitable and if you’re on Fifth Avenue in the middle of Manhattan, you know it’s impossible!

I gathered her up and we pushed our way through the crowds to get to a side street.  We were in the East mid-60′s so I figured if we got to Madison, perhaps I would find a restaurant or store where she could use the rest room.  As we were rushing past stores and shops, I was telling Finley, “no, not this one, no we can’t go in there, no bathroom”.   With that inimitable wisdom of a three and a half year old, Finley said, “Why not, every place has a bathroom”. As they say, out of the mouths of babes!  After a two block hike with little Finny repeating her needs to me in a plaintive voice, I spied Bar Italia and walked in and said to the hostess at the door that I needed to take her (Finley) to the bathroom.  She looked at me and smiled and said, “I’m sorry, the rest rooms are only for our customers”.  I was furious!  I looked at her and said in a loud voice, “That’s ridiculous and it’s illegal” and swept past her carrying Finley and walked right through the entire restaurant to the back, asked a bus boy where the ladies room was and carried Finny in.   I noticed someone had left a Dior compact on the vanity so on my way out, for a final coup de grace,  I slapped the compact down on the counter in front of her and muttered, “someone left this in your ladies room” and stormed out.

Boy did that feel good!  By the way, I don’t know whether it’s legal or not to restrict the use of a bathroom in a public restaurant and I certainly understand that  restaurants don’t want derelicts or homeless people coming in to use the facilities;  However, I’m a woman of a certain age carrying a toddler, really what horrible things  might we have done in that bathroom?

Related articles

• NYC Going Green For Annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade (newyork.cbslocal.com)
• Erin Go Braugh! (acquisitive.wordpress.com)

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“Make New Friends. Keep The Old…

One is Silver and the other is Gold.”

Two nights ago the Empire State Building was lit totally in green to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the Girl Scouts of America!  Some things you just never forget and I always remember that Girl Scout saying about silver and gold friends.

Tonight I had dinner with a Gold friend, Janet.  We worked together when we both lived in Connecticut and we played together when we were both divorced moms with young pre-teen girls!  Tonight was a night of reliving fond memories, catching up on spouses, kids and grandkids.  There’s song that New Found Glory recorded; Right Where We Left Off and dinner tonight with my old friend was just like that!

This blog is a virtual hug for you, Janet and also a big Thank You to Murray, Pbenjay’s staff photographer.  Now what does one have to do with other?  Tonight Janet asked me, “Who is Murray?” After I explained our relationship grown out of a life-long friendship between Murray and my husband, Janet exclaimed and extolled the merits of Murray’s photos!  Well you don’t have to convince me, that’s for sure.  She mentioned that through his beautiful, artistic, striking and personal photos of New York City, she feels like she lives here (which is about 3,000 miles away from where she resides).

So this one’s for you Janet through the lens of Murray’s camera.

Celebrating Girl Scouts of America 100th Anniversary

Pink Blossoms-Manhattan in March

No, Not Venice Beach! Manhattan in March

Strolling Ducks in the Park

This is Manhattan in March

Yes, A Hawk in Manhattan

AAll photos courtesy of Murray Head

Related articles

• Happy 100th Birthday to Girl Scouts of America! (bigscoutproject.com)

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Little Shavers with Noses Out of Joint

The ONLY Channel

OBSCURE ORIGINS OF COMMON AND NOT SO COMMON PHRASES

Where do out of date, out of fashion phrases and old sayings go?  Why, they end up in Pbenjay’s blog!  How I happen to pick one to research its origin is often a function of watching an old movie.  Those of you who really know me, know that the other adult (male)in the house has control of the remote and although we have 400 channels, he only wants to watch whatever movie is on TCM.  So every now and then I hear a phrase that I heard growing up (and had forgotten).

Little Shaver – Refers to a young child or baby.  The origin is unknown, however this was a popular term used right up through the early ’50′s.  Usually the “little shaver” was a young boy and the term means he’s a little “chip” or “shaving” , as in “off the old block”. The Old Block being the parents.  Nice to be thought of as a block of wood!

Nose out of joint – This dated saying is used to describe someone who is upset, possibly offended.  It’s origin is its use in a book  by Barnaby Rich, who wrote His Farewell to Militarie Profession in 1581.  The line is: “It could bee no other then his owne manne, that has thrust his nose so farre out of ioynte.”  I never really thought of my nose as having a joint.  If it does, could you get arthritis in your nose?  MMmmmm…..

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2 Cats and 2 Sock Monkeys Just Hangin’ Out

Sometimes it’s just fun to hang out with your friends…Nicky drops by the guest room to visit with Quilty Cat and Sam and Serena Sock Monkey.  From the looks on everybody’s faces, a good time was had by all!

"A Good Time Was Had By All"

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Leaping Leopards -L’Odyssee de Cartier

SURREAL may be an understatement for this exquisite commercial!  Can you imagine using that adjective to describe a TV ad?  I can hardly believe I’m writing a blog about it, but I am. 

Cartier has produced a spectacular commercial aptly titled L’Odyssée de Cartier.  Their signature leopard leads the viewer through the evolution of the brand.  Amazingly clever, beautifully executed and besides the captivating images, the soundtrack is an absolutely perfect complement to the film. 

I first saw L’Odyssée as a Youtube video and I’ve embedded that link for your viewing pleasure!  Cartier is running an abbreviated version on a couple of major network shows, but it’s nothing compared to the original. You won’t believe the beauty, the cinematography, the music, the woman, the dress!! And we thought Budweiser made clever Super Bowl ads – yeah right!

I was very disappointed when I saw it on TV.  It was like seeing a movie adapted from a book with half the chapters left out.  See for yourself!

L’Odyssée de Cartier

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You KNOW It’s Spring WHEN…

Ms. Robin Redbreast makes her season debut

A turtle comes out to sun himself

Feathered and footed friends gather in the Park

You come across a field of purple crocuses

The Forsythia starts to bud

Lunch time lovers kiss

All photos courtesy of Murray Head

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Where in the World is Pbenjay?

NO word from me for the last six days! What’s going on? Lots and nothing which all adds up to some random ramblings from the insane asylum of my mind:

Let me first go on record about my ridiculous computer – this laptop should be in the trash!  I am slowly being driven crazy by the constant Error Script messages, the slow as molasses reaction time and the worst of  all, is  the incessant freezing up.  It must have a virus because it’s making me sick.

So I have been avoiding trying to do much of anything on it.  Spent some time on Consumer Reports looking at their recommendations for purchasing  a new computer  – none of which I can afford right now!

Francesca has strep throat and the poor baby only wants to be comforted by her Mommy.  Why should she be different than all of the rest of us?  Chiara has been running to the doctor’s, dealing with Finley and the Nanny had to go home early yesterday.  I’ll be back in the City on Sunday and will help out with the girls

The sun suffered from a couple of storms and the activity caused some unbelievable displays of the Northern Lights.  I looked at the photos and I’m at the point where it makes me sad to do so.  I REALLY REALLY want to see the Aurora in person.  Every time I look into how to go, when to go, it always amounts to more money than I can manage.  I’m getting old, soon to be an official senior and I WANT to see the Aurora Borealis!

I’ve been trying to stock-up the larder at the tea room because I can’t stand all the shopping that is necessary for the menu.  I hope to deal with that issue in a month or two.

We were invited to our friend, Michele’s house this evening to have drinks and homemade foccacia and it was SO GOOD.  It was lovely visiting with Michele and Peter and their home is delightfully comfortable.  Should I mention that I had to drive home?  I’ll bet you can figure out why – I hope he has a brutal hangover tomorrow.

It’s been a busy week of restoration around here.  Peter retrieved some valuable pieces he had in storage and has been stripping, cleaning, varnishing, inspecting, and refurbishing the items for resale.  He’s been doing a bang-up job and I am upset with myself for forgetting to take the Before photo before he started the refinishing of a certain fireplace mantle.  It looks terrific!

Oh, I made scones this week; first time I ever made them all by myself.  I made 41 and thought I would have enough to get through the month…but NO, so today I made 14 more and once again after consulting the calendar, I’m still short…but I’m getting better at whipping them up.

Aurora Borealis

This is so boring, I should at least end it now!  Ok dear readers good night!

Related articles

• Aurora borealis: Images of solar flares and northern lights taken during solar storms (dailymail.co.uk)
• Aurora Borealis Activity Forecast (apertureofmysoul.com)

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Move Over Regis & Kelly – I’ve Got My OWN Personal Banker

This is an ode to old-fashioned customer service! Regis Philbin and Kelly Rippa have been appearing in a series of television commercials touting the virtues of TD Bank.  No monthly fees, debit cards and most of all personal service.  Perhaps the commercial I’m referring to, doesn’t run in your part of the country and if so, the irony of the title may escape you.  However, this blog post isn’t about TD Bank; No, it’s about my own personal banker.

Way back in the ’80′s I had occasion to open a joint savings account with my father at Superior Federal Bank in Arkansas.  Yes, I know it sounds odd.  Well. I had my reasons…. I lived in Connecticut then and for many years I had little to do with bank account – whatever money was in there was money I had put aside, not to touch.  Years later, the bank was bought or merged with Arvest Bank and I moved to New York City.

Eventually, periodically I  would  transfer funds from that account  to my bank in New York.  It was quite a process actually.  In order to get the money to New York,  I had to dictate an extremely long and complicated litany of addresses, AB routing numbers , a beneficiary account and then for further credit to another account number .  This was a lot to say on the telephone and not being a banker, I don’t really know what the process was on the end in Arkansas, but often when I called, the woman who answered the phone would tell me that she would get Ethel to assist me because Ethel knew what to do and I didn’t have to reiterate the litany to her;  Ethel was my first personal banker at Arvest!

Every time I’d call the bank,  I was warmly greeted with a cheery “Hello, Miss Lori”.  Gosh, you’d think I was a regular local customer who came in every week to deposit my paycheck!  Fast forward to the last couple of years;  Ethel retired and  at some point, Damon answered the phone when I called to facilitate a wire transfer.

Damon has that silky Southern drawl, not real deep-South, and not Arkansasese, just soft and pleasant.  So here I am, Type A++ living in Type A Manhattan and on the other end of the phone is this relaxed voice exuding capability and assuring me all would be handled asap.  And true to his word, Damon got the wire transfer out and followed up with a phone call to let me know it went through.

Now, don’t you find that amazing?  I mean, really…have you ever tried to get a live person at Chase Manhattan?  Ha, ha, ha, and you can add Bank of America, Citi Bank and every other mega financial institution around here to that impersonal personal service.  I CAN pick up the phone and call my banker, in fact, I can also email him and get a reply!  I think that IS JUST FANTASTIC!  And he always inquires “How are you today, Miss Lori?”   Sometimes we chat about the differences in the weather between Arkansas and New York.

I called one day and was told Damon no longer worked at that branch YIKES panic strikes!  Oh! He was now in an Oklahoma branch, BUT he would  still be able to take care of business for me.  The next time he transferred, he let me know where he would be and sent me pre-addressed envelopes with Attention to his name so my deposits would be personally handled by him!!  NOW I CALL THAT PERSONAL SERVICE!

So there it is, my ode, my homage to REAL CUSTOMER SERVICE and Damon, the best personal banker you could have!  Thanks Damon!!

ARVEST BANK

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