Here we go, it is currently Monday morning, and both girls are napping! So I am finally getting the post written up for the JUST KEEP COOKING – MAGNOLIA TABLE VOLUME II-Joanna Gaines.
The first dish chosen was chicken piccata with zucchini, it seemed simple enough for a Sunday meal. Thankfully I already had all the items needed, -thank you Kroger Click-list Shoppers who accidentally gave me zucchini instead of cucumbers, it ended up being a blessing in disguise. The girls at this point were watching the first Frozen for probably the 3rd time for the day (please no judgment, it is mostly on in the background), and the husband is playing Call of Duty in the other room, pretty much our new quarantine routines. I digress, back to the cooking process.
First step was the pounding of the chicken between 2 pieces of saran wrap, it ended up being a bit messy, but I also had the very cheap saran wrap on hand, so my bad there. Also I think the tool depicted below is for tenderizing meat? or mashing potatoes, any who it worked. My chicken was nice and thin.
I put the chicken aside (yuck, not a fan of dealing with raw chicken) and then started on the marinade. Cut my lemons, garlic and… realized that the chicken had to marinate in Joanna Gaines opinion for at least 2 HOURS! Looking at the clock I could only give the chicken 30 minutes tops to bask in the lemon yumminess, or else the girls would be melting away with their tears. So 30 minutes it is!!
While the 30 mins passed I worked on the zucchini (or as some say cucumbers apparently), easy enough for me, a few cuts and some drizzle of this and that and they were good to go until baking time.
Last major step was my breadcrumb coating which wasn’t too messy thankfully. Into the oven everything went! And the waiting game began-may the odds be ever in your favor. (Hunger Games reference)
Thankfully pulling everything out, it looked great, I was a bit nervous dealing with the broiler and how fast it cooks. But by the looks of it, I was impressed! I plated (to the best of my capabilities) and added the fancy toppers she suggested-ignore my dried parsley, I did not have the reccommended fresh.
Taste test……….
It was pretty darn good, the ratings are as followed given by my family:
| RATING ON A SCALE 1-10 | |
| Kate | 7 |
| Brent | 7 |
| CHILDREN ON A SCALE OF BITES | |
| Lorelai | 2.5 (other .5 back on spat out) |
| Avery | Clean Plate Club |
AVERY ENJOYED 
LORELAI WAS BEING 2
(NOT WANTING HER PHOTO TAKEN)
Ok, Avery eats everything so not completely surprised there, and Lorelai is not always a big meat eater but she gave it the old college try. I gave it a respectable 7, it was good, easy and pretty quick to make. I think that the 30 minutes was plenty, it was definitely very lemony, 2 hours may have overdone it. It did use a few more dishes than I prefer, but all in all it was a good first experience/recipe.
Comment below if you have made this dish before and share your experiences, or what recipe you think I should try next!
To purchase Magnolia Table Volume II and follow along, please click on one of the links: Target, Barnes and Noble, or Amazon.
This week we will be making the CAULIFLOWER COUSCOUS, the FRENCH ONION DIP, and the SWEET KALE SALAD. (I’m feeling the kale this week)
Thanks guys, always remember to strive to thrive in the chaos, I am right there with you!