When in a culinary crisis, I can’t call my mother anymore, unless I am at a seance. However, she still helps me when I am in a quandary about menu planning.
How? I have a cookbook I made of her recipes, and I use it all the time.
In today’s case, I needed something for guests visiting from the East Coast (Susan from the Provence WineZine and her daughter Alex were here!). We were out all day wine tasting, meeting up with vintners, being consummate wine enthusiasts, and simply enjoying the beautiful Arizona countryside.
We got home late, and I wanted something quick to throw together. For some people, “quick” and “throw together” connote store-bought prepared food or, God forbid, a frozen meal.
But not if you were my mother. She could put an elegant meal together in no time flat, and you would never know it was so simple.
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| Susan and James after a rigorous day of tasting! |
We opened a bottle of 2016 Viognier by Rune Wines, an Arizona winery that is make Rhône-style wines; it was a terrific pairing. James Callahan, the owner and winemaker at Rune Wines, is a genius.
And Mom was a genius in the kitchen. This chicken dish is elegant and so easy; serving it to guests almost feels like cheating.
Prep time? Less than 5 minutes. Cook 20-25 minutes. Voilà! Dinner on the table.
Thanks, Mom!
~ David
Dijon Chicken
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, about 4-6 ounces each
freshly ground black pepper
5 tablespoons melted butter
¼ cup Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons minced shallots
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Frank
February 24, 2018 at 5:09 pmThis recipe is indeed genius! Your mom sounds like a truly remarkable woman.
Cocoa & Lavender
February 25, 2018 at 5:45 amThanks, Frank. She was indeed!
Sippity Sup
February 24, 2018 at 7:18 pmIve actually heard of the Verde Valley Wine Trail north of Phoenix but I didn't know there were wineries closer to Tuscon. But Tuscon and Tuscany are similar enough in spelling that there might be something going on there. Elegant meal. Intriguing wine info. GREG
Sippity Sup
February 25, 2018 at 2:24 amUgh. I meant Tucson… GREG
Sippity Sup
February 25, 2018 at 2:25 amI had my joke all set and that's where it went hay-wire. GREG
Cocoa & Lavender
February 25, 2018 at 5:45 amToo funny. We often tell people we ended up in a Tucson because we misspelled Tuscany. So… we aren’t the only ones!
The wine region south of Tucson (Sonoita, Elgin, and Willcox) is pretty impressive! Come visit – we’ll take you!
Liz Posmyk
February 24, 2018 at 11:02 pmThank you for sharing your memories of your beloved mom, David. (Apologies if I don't stop by as often… we are moving house). xx
Cocoa & Lavender
February 25, 2018 at 5:46 amThanks, Liz – you are so sweet! I hope the move is going well.
Nutmeg
February 25, 2018 at 3:44 amDinner in 30 minutes or less! Yes please. I love the fact that you made a cookbook from your Mother's recipes.
Cocoa & Lavender
February 25, 2018 at 5:47 amWith four boys, my mother had to think and cook fast!
The book was so much fun to do… my brothers and their families use it all the time, as do I.
Lois B
February 25, 2018 at 4:26 amI’m mesmerized by the fondant potatoes!😍
Cocoa & Lavender
February 25, 2018 at 5:48 amThey are quite good, Lois!
2pots2cook
February 25, 2018 at 8:50 amSo glad to find your new post today; it proves, as usual, that the best things are always those simple ones. Thank you !
Cocoa & Lavender
February 25, 2018 at 5:38 pmThat is what I truly believe, and so evident in Italian cuisine!
Gerlinde de Broekert
February 25, 2018 at 3:37 pmThis meal definitely beats the Chinese takeout . It looks lovely David. I am going wine tasting in Sonoma county today .
Cocoa & Lavender
February 25, 2018 at 5:38 pmHave fun today! We are sitting by the fire until it’s warm enough to sit in the garden!
Kirsten Honeyman
February 25, 2018 at 4:18 pmLooks delicious, David!
Cocoa & Lavender
February 25, 2018 at 5:39 pmThanks, Kirsten!
Unknown
February 25, 2018 at 4:51 pmwhat kind of cook was yr mum? I mean, better, what type of cooking dish she do? and what years are we talking about? Julia Child's time? (early 60s) – was it mainly American with french influences? lovely thing, the book. stefano
Cocoa & Lavender
February 25, 2018 at 5:42 pmMy mother was fairly traditional and did do a lot of French cooking based on Julia Child’s show. She also ready Gourmet Magazine and was fearless in the kitchen. She also made really good simple food to feed four hungry boys. She had some very nice Italian recipes, too, which she got from my uncle’s Sicilian family.
Cocoa & Lavender
February 25, 2018 at 5:43 pmI would give anything to have a day in the kitchen with her now! She will be gone for 30 years in July.
Susan Manfull
February 25, 2018 at 7:41 pmIt was so delicious that I went right home and made it for my husband! And I can also attest to the fact that David made the whole meal while I was in the shower! And the wine was a terrific match as well!
Cocoa & Lavender
February 25, 2018 at 11:18 pmI love testimonials like this, Susan! People think I am making all this up!
Andrea_TheKitchenLioness
February 25, 2018 at 7:58 pmDear David, what a lovely hommage post to your mother! Love all about it and I know that the cookbook that you so lovingly put together is amazing, filled to the brim with wonderful memories, food and photos!
Love, love your post and all those thoughtful comments above…
Andrea
P.S.: You asked about the cutlery I used in my latest post – it is from "Sissy Boy" in Antwerp, Belgium. One of my favorite stores. I accidently deleted your comment and had to paste it from another account…sorry, about that, my friend!
Cocoa & Lavender
February 25, 2018 at 11:19 pmThanks, Andrea. You are so sweet, and I did love putting it together.
Thanks for the information abuot the fork… I guess I will have to love without it if I can’t find it online!
Eha
February 26, 2018 at 12:22 amOne of my standbys also but your recipe is even a tad faster . . . and it only takes a few heritage carrots to make the plate look elegantly inviting!
Cocoa & Lavender
February 26, 2018 at 1:48 pmThanks, Eha – it is amazing how the plate looks better with those carrots!
John | heneedsfood
February 26, 2018 at 2:02 amDavid, you've sorted my dinner plan for tonight. I was going to make a chicken dish I tried in Naples, but yours has one of my favourite condiments – Dijon mustard!
The pollo alla sorrentina will have to wait!
Cocoa & Lavender
February 26, 2018 at 1:49 pmBut now, John, we are all waiting for the pollo alla sorrentina!
Valentina
February 26, 2018 at 4:29 amDavid, I love that your still get so much inspiration form your mom. My mom had that same skill of throwing things together quickly, but they'd seem so elegant and elaborate. So great you had the book of her recipes! I think my family will love this recipe. I'll think of your mom when I make it.
Cocoa & Lavender
February 26, 2018 at 1:50 pmEven after these thirty years without her, I still find Mom in my kitchen all the time. (Dad is in my checkbook!) I hope you and your family like the chicken – and thanks for thinking of my mother! 🙂
Fran @ Gday Souffle
February 26, 2018 at 9:27 amMy mom has been gone now for 20 years, but it's amazing how her memory still lives through the food she taught me to prepare. One funny memory: after she was confined to a wheel chair, she used to put her medications in the oven (turned off) where she could easily access them. I didn't realize this, so one day I turned on the oven to warm up some buns and after a few minutes I started to smell the plastic melting from the capsules! That memory will always stay with me!
Cocoa & Lavender
February 26, 2018 at 1:51 pmThat is a funny story, Fran – although I am sure it wasn't so funny at the time… How did you explain that to the pharmacist??
Chef Mimi
February 26, 2018 at 4:17 pmThat's really nice. I mean the book of your mother's cooking. Really sweet.
Cocoa & Lavender
February 27, 2018 at 2:42 pmThanks, Mimi! It was really fun to do.
And your potatoes are getting a lot of attention! Much more than the chicken! 🙂
Emma - Bake Then Eat
February 27, 2018 at 4:35 pmMum’s recipes are always the best. I never worked out how my mum could create such wonderful meals from seemingly nothing.
Cocoa & Lavender
February 28, 2018 at 2:32 pmThey are, Emma – such wonderful memories!
Marcelle
March 3, 2018 at 10:37 pmI will definitely try your mom's Dijon chicken, David. It looks and sounds wonderful and you know I love that it's a quick meal! That cookbook is such an incredibly sweet tribute to your Mom!! 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
March 4, 2018 at 10:03 pmI have had several friends make this already and all report back that it was a hit! So I hope you think so, too, Marcelle!
Christina | Christina's Cucina
March 4, 2018 at 8:47 pmHow lovely! I'm sure your mother is smiling about this post! The chicken sounds wonderful, as I'm sure it is!
Cocoa & Lavender
March 4, 2018 at 10:03 pmThanks, Christina! I miss her a lot!
Inger@Art of Natural Living
March 7, 2018 at 4:25 pmNow we know where you got your great taste David!
Cocoa & Lavender
March 7, 2018 at 7:07 pmI always credit my mother, Inger!