food and movies

So, its been a while since I've written anything about food here. In the summer, between the heat and humidity, and just not wanting to do a lot or eat too heavily, cooking big lovely meals tends to get shelved temporarily. We've been eating a lot of lighter meals and leftovers, or if we are cooking then its stuff thats from a box or something that can just be microwaved. However, sometimes you just have to cook something from scratch! The body craves a complete dish made with fresh ingredients... its good for body and soul. I've been having that urge for a while now, but seeing as I'm walking a bunch, plus I had that doc appointment on Tuesday, I decided to live through Trav, and suggested an amazing looking chicken recipe for him to cook last night while I was out pounding the pavement. He came through with flying colors.

Chicken Francaise
(from Simple, but Delicious)

4 chicken breasts, skinned and boned and seasoned with garlic salt
1 cup flour
3 eggs, beaten (he used two because that was all we had!)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1/4 cup wine (dropped this slightly to make up for lack of egg)
3 cloves garlic, pureed
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (upped this, because, uh... yummy. lol.)

Sauce:
1/2 cup margarine or butter
1/2 cup white wine
1/4 cup lemon juice

Directions:
1. Pound your chicken until 1/4 inch thin. Dip the chicken in the flour then set aside.
2. Make the batter by beating the eggs briskly, then adding in the lemon juice, parsley, wine, garlic, and Parmesan.
3. Coat a heavy skillet with margarine, butter or olive oil and place over medium-high heat.
4. Dip the floured chicken pieces generously in the batter and place in the heated skillet. Cook until golden brown on each side, about 5 minutes each side. Remove chicken from the pan and drain excess oil.
5. Make the wine sauce by melting the margarine in the pan, then stirring in the wine and lemon juice.
6. Return the chicken pieces to the pan, spooning the wine sauce over all and cook 1 minute longer.

This chicken was so lovely and tender and flavorful! My first bite I thought it was a bit lemony... but after that initial flavor surprise, it was just so damn good. The chicken was cooked so nice, the breading was absolutely delish, and the sauce was good on both the chicken and the peas we had to go with our chicken.

This was my dish about 15 minutes later:

:-) It was gooood.

While we enjoyed our fabulous meal, we also enjoyed the next of our movies: The Bucket List. And I mean really really enjoyed it. Even if you don't read my review, know that I really loved this movie and recommend it highly! Tuesday night we had watched Children of Man, and I'll review that one below also.


::START SPOILERS::
Children of Man
I had really high hopes for this one as it was one I had wanted to see for a long time... one I had wanted to see in theatures. I wasn't disappointed, but I don't think it met all my expectations. In COM we are in the future, 2027, when for reasons unknown the population has lost its fertility and can no longer bear children. Anarchy has exploded around the globe, and England is one of the few places of order left. Refugees from around the world flock there in hopes of a better life, but are not welcome in Britain, where they are rounded up and stored in camps or deported. When the youngest citizen of the world dies (at 18), the future seems very bleak indeed. One man, Theo, finds himself in a life or death struggle to save a young woman who has found herself about to have a child. A child is always a blessing, but in this world it is truly miraculous and Kee (the mother) is put in the position of being both the possible savior of humanity, and an outcast, being a refugee. This movie takes a look at the tenuous nature of human existence, at what would happen if we no longer had another generation to worry about or preserve/persevere for. With no children, there is no future... nothing to hope for. The movie is fast paced, with plenty of violence and blood. There is one scene when the police are fighting with the "terrorist" group The Fish (who want to use Kee and her baby to further their political agenda of freeing the refugees), but for a few moments all fighting stops, all is quiet except for the baby crying, while Theo, Kee and the baby walk down the stairs... such is the amazement of all involved at seeing a baby again. It's a pretty powerful scene. The end isn't predictable from the beginning necessarily, but once we hit a certain point, we knew what was going to happen. All in all, I would recommend this movie... it really is good.

The Bucket List
I don't even know where to start on this movie... it is so great, I really loved it. For the most part its a comedy... and a damn good one, Jack Nickelson and Morgan Freedman are a well matched pair... but its also a serious move at the end, and leaves you feeling like you really got something from it. I laughed my ass off, and I cried too. It was sweet, funny, heart-wrenching. Just the fact that the movie ends with both of the main characters being dead tells you that its an unusual movie. And its definitely a must see.
::END SPOILERS::

I also took a quick shot, for prosperity sake, of Trav's ankle.

It's healing up so nicely!! He has his second PT appointment today, which means one step closer to getting his strength and range of movement back.

Well, its time for me to get back to work. Have a great day!