Pages From The THIB! Cook Book: Pomodoro Chicken & Grandma Stasik’s Risotto
If you’ve been listening to any of the That’s How I Blog! shows, you will know that I am easily distracted and frequently ruminate and ramble off on food tangents with guests of the show. Julie (Booking Mama) and I chatted for quite a bit of time about the joys of “reading” cookbooks and the merits and economies of fresh baked bread.
I also asked Julie’s favorite dish that she enjoyed having prepared for her and the dish that she likes to prepare most. While I was re-listening to Julie’s interview, and creating the guide to her show, I was so taken with the food talk that I e-mailed her asking her if she would share the recipes and the stories behind them so that I could try them out for myself, but also share them with all of you. So if you have done THIB! before, I’m coming for you and your recipes!
Chicken Pomodoro
Julie says that this recipe is from from Cuisine at Home Magazine.
There’s not a lot of history behind this recipe except that it’s my favorite chicken dish (especially since my husband makes it for me all the time!). This makes 2 servings (we always double the recipe).
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into cutlets (We use thinly, sliced chicken breasts)
salt and pepper
all-purpose flour
nonstick spray
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil (we use olive oil)
1/4 cup vodka
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup chopped tomato (we use petite diced canned tomatoes)
2 Tbsp. heavy cream
1/3 cup scallions
Season cutlets with salt and pepper, then dust with flour. Coat a saute pan with nonstick spray, add oil, and heat over medium-high.
Saute cutlets on both sides. Transfer cutlets to a platter; pour fat from pan.
De-glaze pan with vodka (away from heat); return to heat and cook until nearly evaporated. Add broth and lemon juice. Return cutlets to pan and cook on each side for 1 minutes. Transfer cutlets to a warm plate.
Stir tomato and cream into sauce. Heat through; pour over cutlets.
Garnish with scallions.
We serve the chicken over linguine!
Grandma Stasik’s Risotto
This isn’t your traditional risotto because it’s tomato-based. I don’t know if this is true, but I’ve been told that only one region in Northern Italy makes their risotto this way. My grandmother always made this recipe with calves liver, but we prefer to use sirloin. You can also make it with chicken as well but I personally don’t think it’s quite as flavorful.
My recipe for risotto exists on a piece of scrap paper. Of course, my grandmother doesn’t have a recipe — she just makes it! So I had to write down estimates one day when I was watching her prepare it!
We love to eat it with fresh-baked bread with butter (nothing like a little carbs for dinner!)
1 stalk of celery, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 lb. sirloin, diced
1 small can tomato paste
1 1/2 cup arborio rice
3 cups chicken broth (maybe more depending on how fast the rice cooks)
3-4 Tbsp. Romano or parmesan cheese
In a big pot, heat olive oil and add celery, onion, and garlic. Saute until soft. Add steak and brown. Add tomato paste and 3 cans of water and stir until smooth. Cook mixture until meat is soft and liquid is thick. Add rice and stir.
In another pot, heat chicken broth. Add chicken broth gradually to mixture as liquid is absorbed. Keep stirring rice mixture (a lot) so it doesn’t stick on bottom of pan. Keep adding broth and stirring until rice is completely cooked.
Before serving, sprinkle cheese liberally over the top of risotto.
Thanks Julie! You have no idea how much I can’t wait to try these out!
19 Responses to “Pages From The THIB! Cook Book: Pomodoro Chicken & Grandma Stasik’s Risotto”
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Oh man, that pomodora looks divine! I think I need to go visit Julie!
Kathy´s last blog ..Our Life in France – banking, money and numbers
I’ll have to try those out. We’ve been trying to bring a little more variety in our cooking.
Lenore´s last blog ..Prepare for BEA 2010!
I love risotto, and the pomodoro looks amazing as well …yum
diane´s last blog ..Library Loot – 2/5/2010
Both of these look fabulous!! I could be at Julie’s house in a little under 2 hours. Hummmm. Wonder when she’s next making either of these.
Beth F´s last blog ..From Biologist to Author: A Visit with Sneed B. Collard III
Well, there’s my weekend menu already planned for me. Thanks!
Lisa´s last blog ..Thanks, Ladies!
I love this feature — it’s a great idea! How fun that we both launched features for each other!
Julie P.´s last blog ..Review: Devil in Winter
Oh my goodness. Being on a diet really sucks. Both of these recipes are right up my alley. Risotto just happens to be my all-time favortie food – I could eat it daily (hence why I am now on a diet). And there is something very comforting to me about tomato sauce. I made a tomato sauce-smothered baked pork chop recipe last night that should have fed 10 people, but was completely GONE after 4 adults and 2 kids had their way with it.
Sandy´s last blog ..Cemetery Dance – Lincoln Child and Douglas Preston (audio)
MMM that pasta looks delicious!
Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)´s last blog ..Government Girl Stacy Parker Aab Hits the Booksigning Circuit
Those look yummy! I have never tried to make risotto because it has to be so exact, I’m afraid I will mess it up. I love to eat it though.
bookmagic´s last blog ..Cozy Mystery Saturday: Murder is Binding by Lorna Barret (Booktown Mysteries)
I would think that risotto would be a little bit forgiving to cook since you can slowly add water and check the texture and seasonings, but I have never made it before. Will try this recipe at some point.
what great recipes and photos! nicole, i always enjoy listening into THIB but can’t always make it because of a standing commitment.
i usually listen to the re-plays, so thanks for posting them!
I am glad that you enjoy the re-plays, that’s what they are there for. I go back and listen to them too since it’s the only way I have any idea of what happened. So much goes on behind the scenes.
Yummy! Any dish with pasta and chicken has got to be good. nice picture too!
jennygirl´s last blog ..Review: Island of the Swans by Ciji Ware
I love chicken with pasta. It is a fantastic combo!
looks yummy! now youve got me hungry
bookworm´s last blog ..The Boleyn Inheritance
Isn’t it great! I’m so glad that Julie shared her recipe.
I came to find your Wondrous Word instead I find all these delicious recipes. Yummy!
http://readwithtea.blogspot.com/2010/02/wondrous-words.html
Tea, Wondrous Words is a great meme. I love reading those posts. I am so glad that you are enjoying the recipes and plan to stick around. How fun!
I am going to follow you. Love your blog.