Sunday Dinner

On this cold, drizzling Sunday, I'm craving my warm weather food.  I love going to the farmer's market and buying fresh tomatoes warmed by the sun, fragrant basil, crisp cucumbers and crusty bread.  That's all I need to make a meal: some salad fixin's and a loaf of bread.  Alas, it will be months before I taste my first fresh tomato, so I need a substitute.  On Friday's episode of Rachael Ray, she created this Warm Provencal Chicken Salad.  It's chocked full of fresh herbs, roasted vegetables, and leafy greens.  I figured it was a good compromise.  So, that's what's for dinner for my family tonight!

Warm Provencal Chicken Salad

1/2 to 2/3 cup EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 pounds baby white or gold potatoes, halved
4 small onions, sliced 1/2-inch thick wedges
8 to 10 cloves garlic

1 pound trimmed green beans or asparagus, halved
1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup black pitted Nicoise olives

8 pieces boneless, skinless chicken thighs or 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breast

1 shallot, coarsely chopped
A small handful of sage leaves
A small handful of tarragon
A couple of sprigs fresh marjoram or 2 teaspoons dried
1 cup flat-leaf parsley, loosely packed
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

4 cups arugula
Baguette


Preparation

Heat oven to 450˚F.

Place potatoes, onions and crushed garlic in a bowl and toss with just enough EVOO to coat, a couple of tablespoons. Season liberally with salt and pepper, place on baking sheet and place in oven. Roast 45 minutes, turning once.

Place green beans or asparagus in bowl with tomatoes and pitted olives, dress with a little EVOO, salt, pepper and place on baking sheet. Roast 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat a cast-iron skillet or griddle or grill pan over medium-high heat. Coat chicken lightly in EVOO and season with salt and pepper. Cook chicken 12 minutes, turning once, then thinly slice on an angle.

While chicken cooks, place shallot, herbs and mustard in food processor and season with salt and pepper. Pulse chop to finely chop the mixture then stream in about 1/4 to 1/3 cup EVOO to form a pesto-like sauce. Scrape sauce into a large, shallow bowl.

Pile roasted vegetables, potatoes, onion, tomatoes, olives and arugula into a bowl. Top salad with sliced chicken and serve with crusty baguette.