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Chicken strips with broccoli rabe

I love this for a quick and healthy lunch. Broccoli rabe might not be everyone’s choice since it is a little bit bitter but I like it a lot. You can replace it with chicory greens, also somewhat bitter or spinach.

Prep time  5 min + blanching time      Cook time  15-20 min
INGREDIENTS FOR 2
  • 300 g of chicken breast
  • 400-500g of broccoli rabe
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 4-5 tbls extra virgin olive oil
  • salt
  • peperoncino or crushed red pepper

1. Trim and rinse the broccoli rabe and blanche it max 5 min in boiling salted water. This can be done in advance. Also if the broccoli is very young and tender, there’s no need to blanche it.

2. Cut the chicken breast into strips. Heat 2 tbls of oil in a large skillet and fry the strips on high heat for a few minutes on both sides. Put them on a plate.

3. Heat 2 tbls of olive oil in the same skillet, add the garlic cloves whole or cut in halves, add a few peperoncino seeds and some skin and let cook until the garlic starts to brown.

4. Add the blanched greens in two or three handfuls tossing to coat. Cook for 8-10 minutes, add the strips with their juices from the plate and cook for another 5 minutes. Check that the meat is cooked through.

BUON APPETITO!

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Chicken soup with barley

A flavorful and healthy option for soup lovers. This  chicken soup with barley is very filling and can be served as a hearty main dish.

Prep time 35 min     cook time   1h
ingredients for 5-6
  • 1,2-1,5 kg chicken cut up in pieces
  • 1,5 l water or chicken stock
  • 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 1 celery stalk, chopped
  • 1 onion, peeled and chopped
  • 180-200 g barley or a mix of rice and barley
  • 2 tomatoes, diced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • salt and pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon curry powder

1. In a large pot cook chicken in water until tender about 35 minutes. I usually add a teaspoon or two of salt at this point. Set chicken aside until cool enough to handle. Remove meat from bones using a fork.

2. If you prefer you can skim off some fat from the pot before returning the chicken to it with the remaining ingredients. Check the cooking time for barley.

3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover and let simmer 1 hour or until the vegetables are tender and barley is cooked. Adjust seasoning.

BUON APPETITO!

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Chicken with bell peppers

Chicken with bell peppers or pollo coi peperoni is a Roman dish, typically from the Castelli region. It is succulent and the smell while it’s cooking will make you salivate. It’s also very easy to prepare which is a bonus.

Prep time  10 min     Cook time  50-60 min
INGREDIENTS FOR 4-5
  •  1,2 kg (2.5 lbs) chicken cut into pieces
  • 3-4 big red bell peppers
  • 400g can of crushed tomatoes or fresh ripe ones
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1/2 glass of white wine
  • extra vergin olive oil
  • basil
  • salt, pepper

1. Wash the peppers, remove the seeds and pith inside, cut in strips and dry.

2. Heat the oil in a large pan with garlic, add the washed and dried pieces of chicken and fry for a few minutes on all sides. Add some salt.

3. Add the wine and let simmer for a few minutes.

4. Add the peppers and tomatoes with some salt and pepper.

5. Cook at medium heat for 40 minutes with a lid on.

6. Add the basil and let the sauce reduce for 10 minutes without the lid.

tip: I sometimes use red and yellow peppers even though the original recipe calls for red peppers.

BUON APPETITO!