Everything is coming back to life and I am so happy to see that Spring has sprung! The rain is coming down and everything is so green along with all the trees and flowers in bloom. I can see Mom out on the lawn mower, with curlers in her hair, flying around the yard at full speed. She was a maniac on the mower and we knew not to get in the way. Momma Said, “No use piddling around when you have a job to do, just do it and get it done.”
She had the most mowed lawn in town it seemed she was mowing every other day. She never let it get ahead of her. She took pride in her home inside and out. Everything had a place and that is where it should be. She was so organized, she knew where everything was and didn’t have to look far to find what she needed. I try to be like that but sometimes I put something where I think it belongs and then can never find it again.
I still think I have gnomes or house elves or something living with me. I can have something in my hand, place it down on the counter, turn around and I can’t find it. Then I find it in the refrigerator or in another room. I was sure I placed it on the counter but that is not where I find it. It really aggravates me when I think I know where something is and I can’t find it.
I try really hard to be organized, especially with my tools. When I need something I like to be able to go to the right shelf and find what I need. I guess some things that you learn as a child stick with you throughout your life. Little things that you learned through watching other people do the same things. I like to think that Mom tried to teach us things in many ways and I hope I do justice to some of that knowledge.
30 Minute Chicken Puttanesca
Ingredients
- 4-5 Chicken Breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup onion – halved and sliced
- 3 garlic cloves – rough chopped
- 1 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- ½ cup pitted olives
- ¼ cup fresh basil – chopped (plus a handful for garnish if desired)
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in large skillet.
- Rinse and pat dry chicken. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Brown chicken on both sides – about 3-4 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside. (It won’t be completely cooked. You will finish cooking with sauce).
- Saute onion until translucent.
- Add garlic and cook for one minute.
- Add crushed tomatoes and basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Nestle chicken breasts on top of sauce.
- Spread cherry tomatoes and olives on top.
- Simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
- Top with additional basil for garnish