GRILLED ITALIAN LEMON-HERB CHICKEN

If you love to grill any type of food with lemon, herbs, and garlic. . .you will love this easy recipe.  If you don't have fresh herbs, use freeze-dried.

2 boneless chicken breasts

¼ cup olive oil 

¼ cup fresh lemon juice

2 T fresh minced rosemary

2 T fresh minced thyme leaves

1 T fresh minced oregano leaves

1 T fresh chopped basil

2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

In a small bowl or 2-cup measuring pitcher, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, garlic, salt, and pepper.

Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag.

Pour half of the marinade into the bag, seal and refrigerate 1 to 4 hours.

Save the rest of the marinade for the pasta.

Remove the chicken from the marinade, discard marinade.

Grill over medium-high heat, 6 to 7 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.

Transfer to 2 plates along with some pasta.

Pour the reserved marinade over pasta and serve.

Serves 2

ZUPPE DI PESCE

Here is another seafood recipe that is definitely a soup.  I do not keep the water the clams are steamed in because here in Virginia the clams are very sandy.  I buy 2 bottles of clam nectar or broth to use in place of the juice from the dirty clams.  Do what you feel best with your clams.

2 T extra-virgin olive, plus more for garnish

1 small fennel bulb, thinly sliced

1 small shallot, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed

Half of a 28-oz can crushed tomatoes, preferably San Marzano

½ t crushed red pepper flakes

1 cup white wine

¼ cup water

6 littleneck clams

2 bottles clam broth

6 oz piece white fish fillet, cut into bite-size pieces

8 mussels

6 sea scallops, cut in half

8 medium shrimp

Sea salt & freshly ground black pepper

Italian parsley, finely chopped, for garnish

In a Dutch oven or large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat.

Add the fennel and shallot and sauté for 5 minutes.

Add the garlic and cook another minute.

Add the half can crushed tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and wine and slowly simmer for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat ¼ cup water in a separate pan, add clams and simmer until open, about 7 to 8 minutes.

Strain water from clams and keep warm in pan covered with the lid.

After tomato sauce has been cooking for 10 minutes, add the clam broth and bring back to a simmer.

Add the fish and let simmer 3 minutes.

Add the mussels and scallops.

Let simmer another 5 minutes, until mussels have opened and fish is flaky.

Add shrimp and continue to simmer another 3 minutes.

Season with salt and pepper.

Ladle into 2 warm bowls and garnish with parsley and serve.

Serves 2 as a meal or 4 as a first course. . .primi piatti.