Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Chicken Piccata...Ina's way...


I absolutely positively love this cookbook. If you are a cook this should be added to your collection of cookbooks. If you are just learning how to cook, or cook occasionally, the colorful photos alone will inspire you. This is a wonderful gift for your girlfriends & family who enjoy cooking. The recipes are packed full of flavor.



Last night was warm and I was not sure what to cook for dinner since I am SUPPOSEDLY on a diet to fit into that teeny weeny polka dot bikini (see my foodie Friday post 4/24). I was thinking of my grandmother's chicken piccata recipe and thought I would give Ina's recipe a try. Now this chicken piccata recipe is not exactly light yet I was so in the mood for this meal. With some minor tweaking, which consisted of cutting back on the oil and butter, I managed to shave off a few calories and fat. I could have baked the entire thing in the oven but I really wanted that crunch and the olive oil for flavor. I don't know how you feel, but some days you just need flavor and that usually makes me eat less too. I loaded up my plate with lots of salad first and veggies and limited my portion size of the piccata. Since there are no calories listed in this book I can only guess at the calories and the WW point factor. It was satisfying and tasty.

I would serve this to company along with a nice tossed salad and seasonal vegetables and a bottle of white wine. For dessert I would make Ina's summer fruit crostata. I promise to showcase that heavenly recipe in a few weeks when plums and blueberries are in season.

*This recipe can be found on page 96 and also on foodnetwork.

Mangia!
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19 comments:

  1. Lois ChristensenApril 28, 2009 at 7:37 AM

    Looks yummy! I made tons of grilled chicken the other day and have been enjoying it with salad yesterday and today also. Hope you reach your goal!!!

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  2. AnonymousApril 28, 2009 at 7:41 AM

    This looks so tasty. I look forward to the dessert post too! I might have to add her cookbook to my list.

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  3. Mo..."Mo's Cottage"April 28, 2009 at 7:49 AM

    Looks good....my Hubby is retired and does all the cooking now....lucky me....he has turned out to be quite a good cook.....
    Hugs,
    Moo :-)

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  4. AnonymousApril 28, 2009 at 8:11 AM

    It look delicious! I have this cookbook and it is signed by Ina herself. The photos in the book are a feast alone,aren't they? I honestly have never cooked any of the Barefoot Contessa's dishes that did not get raves. I am going to look this recipe up right now.

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  5. The Short (dis)Order CookApril 28, 2009 at 8:38 AM

    It's funny how everyone has a favorite version of this classic dish. My favorite is the Frugal Gourmet version (I miss that crazy old pervert) which is made with lemon, sherry, parsley, scallions, and capers. It's the first dish I ever cooked for my husband.

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  6. Chari at Happy To DesignApril 28, 2009 at 8:39 AM

    Hi Joyce...

    Ooooh...chicken picata sounds yummy! Well my friend, I just read the sweet note that you left for me about my stained glass window! Just wanted to swing by and say hello!!!

    Have a terrific Tuesday, my friend!
    Chari

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  7. Patricia @ ButterYumApril 28, 2009 at 9:11 AM

    Oh yes, I have yet to make an Ina Recipe that isn't fabulous! She's the best!

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  8. Nurse NancyApril 28, 2009 at 11:38 AM

    Thanks for commenting on my blog. We could become good blogging buddies as there is nothing I like to do more than cook and bake! Have a good day....

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  9. the wild raspberryApril 28, 2009 at 12:53 PM

    i am in a cooking rut...maybe that book would get me over that!
    chasity

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  10. DesignTiesApril 28, 2009 at 1:30 PM

    Sometimes when you get a serious craving for a certain kind of food, you just have to go with it!! :-)

    Thanks for your comment on my juicy spring colours post :-) Luckily, we didn't have that much snow this past winter, and most of what we did have melted about a month ago. But if we have a snowy winter like that again, I'm heading south!!!

    Kelly @ DesignTies

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  11. Jane AnneApril 28, 2009 at 2:32 PM

    I may just have to get this book. It looks wonderful and that dish looks delicious.

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  12. ~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~April 28, 2009 at 2:53 PM

    Your version looks yummy! The Countessa has an amazing carrot cake recipe too. I have gotta look for this one but I don't have her book. Food network here I come. Thanks Joyce.
    ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

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  13. nannyApril 28, 2009 at 3:02 PM

    I have been catching up on reading blogs and just saw that you stopped by,,,thank you so much, love comments and I Love Your blog.. I have alot of reading to do on yours...

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  14. JeniApril 28, 2009 at 6:08 PM

    Hi Joyce,

    You have been to my blog before and I don't know why it took me so long to come visit you. Wonderful blog. I am so going to try that Easter meat pie!!!

    Where in Atlanta do you live? Let me know when there is a group of bloggers getting together again, that would be too cool to meet some in person.

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  15. SueApril 28, 2009 at 9:01 PM

    Hi Joyce...First...I want to know if I can have Mo's husband come and move in with me...second the chicken looks delish and anything from Ina is always great. I love this cookbook...I'm getting back from Jersey tomorrow night and looking foward to getting together for lunch one day....See you soon..

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  16. AnonymousApril 28, 2009 at 9:57 PM

    The chicken looks delicious. The fingernail information in your last post is interesting. I had never in my 72 years heard that.
    Charlotte

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  17. aliceApril 29, 2009 at 8:57 PM

    Looks good! Love Ina! I don't think I have made one recipe of hers that was not fabulous!
    Her cookbooks are a number one gift for brides that are registered at the kitchen store that I work at. I agree...her recipes are very reader friendly, perfect for beginners, and even a few trained chefs that I know use some of her recipes.

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  18. Bumble Bee CottageApril 30, 2009 at 9:00 AM

    The chicken looks and sounds fabulous. I'll have a look on Amazon for the cookbook - not that I need anymore!

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  19. Leigh of Tales from BloggeritavilleApril 30, 2009 at 4:03 PM

    That chicken looks delish! Its great to stop back by. I missed doing that while I was on vacation!

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