Could it be true?
Is it possible? The sun has been out and the temperature has been warm. I am almost afraid to say that spring is here. Maybe this is just a short teaser. Or, maybe this is like test driving a car; we have to decide if we like how it feels before we commit 100%. The reason I have so much doubt is because it went from 0 to 60 in like two days. I wish that wasn’t just further usage of my car metaphor. The truth is, it snowed last week and now we are walking around in sundresses and free of our coats and sweaters. It might be possible that we completely skipped over spring and went straight to summer. I should probably hold that thought.
It seems fitting to talk about the changing seasons. For some reason (probably because the universe is a wondrous place) there happens to be a lot of change going around. I wouldn’t say it is good or bad change. It is just the kind of change that requires adjusting to, or the kind that makes you take a second look at things and determine if the strategy you had in place is a good one. It is the kind of change that keeps you on your toes. I think it ultimately wakes us up and helps us to focus on why we do what we do and how we do it.
As we have been going through these changes I found myself coming to the kitchen and looking for something familiar. I was coming back to those dishes that I cooked long ago but made on a fairly regular basis. The dishes that were simple and satisfying, the dishes I didn’t think were necessarily worthy of being featured here. I realized that these dishes bring me comfort and their simplicity is exactly why I love them. I also realize that these are dishes that other people will love for the exact same reason.
As we experience change I am glad to have an arsenal of recipes and meals that are simple and uncomplicated. I need life to be less complicated at times and especially when I am standing in the kitchen looking for peace of mind. I am curious what other people make when they are experiencing a lot of change. What are the dishes that bring you back to center? What is the one thing that you could make in your sleep (but shouldn’t, obviously) that makes the world seem calm if only for those few moments?
This apricot chicken recipe is a dish that my mother in-law shared with me when the hubby and I were only dating and living in a one bedroom apartment in Philadelphia. It is a dish that we always make for Jewish holidays like Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah or Passover. This is a great dish for an Easter dinner if you want to go in a non-traditional route. I have made this dish enough that I know it will taste the same every time and it will be everything I need for that moment. That little piece of familiar when we are going through unfamiliar times.
Apricot Chicken
Notes
If you do not have an ovenproof skillet you can transfer everything in to a glass or metal baking dish. Cover the dish in foil before making in the oven.
For extra touch you can sprinkle in slices of dried apricot before serving.
Ingredients
- 1 Whole Cut-Up Chicken (I used thighs and breasts but you can use any pieces you like)
- 1/2 Sweet Onion thinly sliced
- 1 10oz. Jar Apricot Preserve
- 1 Pkg. Dry Onion Soup Mix
- 1 8oz. bottle of French or Russian Dressing
- 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
- Salt & Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375.
- Heat an ovenproof skillet over medium heat, add 1 tbsp. olive oil and coat pan.
- Add onion slices to pan and saute until softened and starting to brown. Remove onions from pan and place in a bowl until ready for use.
- Sprinkle chicken pieces with salt and pepper on both sides, place each piece of chicken skin side down, sear chicken until browned, flip chicken and cook on the other side to brown.
- In a small bowl combine apricot preserves, dressing and onion soup mix, stir to combine.Pour dressing mixture over chicken.
- Sprinkle the cooked onion on top of the chicken pieces
- Place lid on skillet and place in the oven, cook for 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
