Quarantine Cooking

This is a weird and scary time in our country and in the whole world!  Currently, many states are on lock-down and stay at home orders.  The only time I go out is to the grocery store, drug store, or for a walk with Rosie and Rich.  Because I'm home all the time, I'm cooking and eating more.  I just got a recipe chain email from a friend and neighbor asking for recipes.  I usually don't do those emails, but I thought, under the circumstances, it might be fun.  So here is the email I sent to the first person on my list...

Healthy Greek Chicken with Tzatziki Sauce

Make this Greek Chicken with Tzatziki Sauce tonight! Tender Greek seasoned chicken with cool, creamy Tzatziki sauce is a delicious, easy and healthy dinner with Mediterranean inspiration. (gluten-free, nut-free)

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: main dish
• Method: grilled
• Cuisine: Greek

Ingredients

Greek Seasoning:

• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp dried basil
• 2 tsp dried Greek oregano
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp dried rosemary, minced
• 1 tsp dried dill weed
• 1 tsp dried marjoram
• 1/2 tsp ground thyme
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Greek Chicken:

• Juice of 2 large lemons
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 tbsp seasoning
• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breast

Tzatziki Sauce:

• 1/4 cucumber
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1/8 tsp salt
• Pinch black pepper

(Note:  I used store-bought Tzatziki sauce and added chopped cucumbers.)

Instructions

1. To make seasoning, mix all spices together. It will make about 1/2 cup. Set aside for later.
2. For the chicken, butterfly boneless, skinless chicken breasts into 2 even pieces each. Rub Greek seasoning evenly over chicken. Place in a shallow dish or large plastic bag with lemon juice, vinegar and olive oil. Let marinate for 30 minutes.
3. While chicken is marinating, prepare the Tzatziki Sauce. Grate the cucumber (you can peel it but I don’t) onto a mesh strainer or paper towel and squeeze out as much liquid as you can. Add to a bowl with remaining ingredients. Stir to combine and refrigerate until ready to serve.
4. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill chicken for 8-10 minutes per side, or until a thermometer inserted in the center reads 165°F. Remove from grill and slice. Serve with Tzatziki Sauce.

Notes

You can also bake chicken in a baking dish at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted in the center reads 165°F and juices run clear.

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And here's another recipe I have made during this lock-down...

Fig Preserves & Goat Cheese Naan Pizza

 

Ingredients

Serves 4-6

1/2 c crumbled goat cheese

1/2 c Fig Preserves

2-3 Fresh Figs, sliced thin ( I used dried figs because figs are not in season now.)

Prosciutto, chopped

Arugula

2 naan flat breads

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.

2. Put naan bread on a cookie sheet and brush with olive oil.

3. Top dough with Fig Preserves, crumbled goat cheese, prosciutto, and fig slices.

4. Bake in oven until crust is golden brown and cheese is starting to melt.

5. Remove from oven and immediately top with arugula. Cut and serve.