The Difference Between Good and Great: Passion
I’ve always loved food and cooking. Something about how it affects you in sooo many ways -from your senses to your sense of being. I’ve never had any formal training, learning what I could wherever and however I could, but do consider myself at least competent. I’m always in awe, however, of people that have a true gift for food – a real passion that drives them to go a bit farther. Get a bit more focused, precise and creative. Below is a recipe from a brother of one of my good friends. His passion is obvious.
Best Chicken Cutlets of All Time*
Recipe by Stu inspiration by necessity
2 Chicken breasts 8ounces each, I used Organic just to Kick ass.
Cut a little flap on the fat end so that the whole cutlet is the same thickness this takes a little thought on how to, but just think logically, because even thickness is key, and pounding will rip the flesh, so just make it happen.
1 egg beaten for the dipping. I also Used a Locally farmed egg. Some Farmer was Happy, Nearby.
I finely diced half of a jalapeno pepper, and crushed it a little as well with a pinch of kosher salt.
Whisked it all together and added a teaspoon of flour to help it REALLY stick to the chicken.
If You make more breasts don’t chinch on peppers, and have enough egg mixture.
I season the Breasts with Hickory smoked salt and a Spanish chicken seasoning that is a sort of Cajun but mine has wheat flour but I could have used any other spice to take the Cutlet to any Country that the Occasion called For. I am quite liberal with my spicing and salting as I am in My Views, so if You are a little tender in the Tongue, just salt and maybe some fresh cracked pepper will Do.
I used Japanese Style Panko Bread Crumbs. They are available at Costco or at some fancy places, but even if You use Regular Bread Crumbs this will impress, but with them it will have even a crunch, cold, right out of the Fridge and they will Be Great For LunchBoxes and Picnics because they always stay crunchy. The Title is the Best So if You want the Best, Just Do It.
The Crumbs are all the same size, so I crush a third with my hand just to give a finer undercoat of Crumbs. “Science,” says Uncle Miltie, “that’s what cooking is…Think and You can Figure it Out.”
Both sides of the cutlet are seasoned with the salts and seasonings of your choice.
Liberally Flour both sides of the Cutlets and one at a time dip into the Egg mixture and then into the breadcrumbs. When I first set down the Cutlet into the Breadcrumbs, I scoop some extra peppers from the egg bowl and put them on the breast before I flip it. Move it to a plate, then do the Second one.
Don’t rush this and try to use as much of the egg mixture as possible so you can get plenty of crumbs.
You can leave them covered with the crumbs while You heat Your oil.
A Eight inch sauted pan is what you need. the breasts will fit in just right and without a lot of oil the breasts will be submerged to one third their depth which is optimum for cooking the center of the cutlet without the need for the oven. I used a canola oil about 4 tablespoons and added half a tablespoon of butter at this point, which I get nice and brown before I lay the Cutlets in side by side. Place the top/nice side of the Cutlet in the pan first so that fro presentation purposes it is perfectly brown with no blackened crumbs.
Cooking is a big part of the Process, so pay attention and Keep Peeking Under to monitor doneness.
Keep a medium heat so as to require 4-5 minutes per side without scorching. This will insure doneness, without overcooking. Because we did not pound and break the integrity of the breast, we will have in effect a nice roast breast inside that will rest and retain its juices. Patience, I said Best, didn’t I. You will have to add the Remaining butter to the edges of the pan, and drizzle some olive oil about one tablespoon to baste the breasts as they cook.
I would Melt My Cheese on the Bun for any Sandwich to retain the Crunch of the Cutlet.
I had it with Sliced tomatoes, Onions, Lettuce, May on both KaiserRoll sides and I drizzle liberally with Vinegar, 7% acidity or More to cut the baseness of the Oil, Mayo, and Wake up the Jalapenos under the Hood.
Also Great for Parmesan Chicken Caesar Salads, Vegetable Stir-frys, just Slice and add at the last Minute.
Afternoon Kids Snacks, Poker night. Do It People, Make Healthy Chicken the Star of Your Savings, Both Time and Money. Shop Wise and Get Good Chicken at a good Price. Taste the Difference if You’ve never.
This is a simple enough dish so everyone can really taste the difference. You are What You Eat, Harpo Marx.
ps. because of the cutting method of the breast, if a larger breast were used, it would be fine, and You would need a larger pan, a Ten ounce breast, would need a ten inch pan, and so forth and so On.
The Tenderloins aka Chicken Nuggets can be cooked with the breasts if they are included and they make great lunchbox stuff.
Send the Kiddies Chicken that is still Crispy with some dipping Sauces and the other Kids will go Nuts.
Parents Cook For Your Kids and Challenge Yourself.
This is such a time saver for the Week. It is always there and Crunchy and Buttery, and Moist, and Healthy.
I said the Best. I mean the Best for You. There are so many places where You could change a spice, add a cheese
Make Your Sandwich Spread with Fresh Horseradish and Chives or Whatever. I Just Reinvent the Artistry, of the Simple Chicken Breast, Done with Love and Creativity, and in these tough times, some Planning and PotLucking.
I remember back in the Seventies My Parents had us all involved in a “Cult” called the ClearWater Revival, whose nefarious aim was to clean up the toxic waste dump that was the Hudson River. Some May Remember the Car Plants’ Paint endlessly leaching into the River as You drove to New Jersey over the Tappan Zee, or points West.
Point is, I remember Mama, bringing a tuna casserole to one of the meetings where Seeger sang “Inch By Inch”, and We Shared Food and We Shared Responsibility, to Ourselves, our children, and The World Around Us.
But the Food and Breaking Bread were always the mediums for community, and eventually, Change.
Step One:
Cook A Great Chicken
Step Two:
Save The World
We Have To Start Small
*If You attempt this recipe and take shortcuts, then, I am not liable for the resulting product,
my “The Best” only counts if You are not a cheater or a quitter.
“Nothing Gets Better Without Work”
What are you truly passionate about? Is it obvious to others?