Monday, May 2, 2011

Pesto Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes




It's a cold, dreary and rainy day in Dallas.

I work for Dallas Independent School District in Central Staff. (Which means that I'm not on a school campus.) In Texas, education is facing major budget cuts and on Friday we had over 200 people laid off in Central Staff.



It's a cold, dreary and rainy day. And it seems to be very fitting.

It was represented by empty spaces in the parking lot. Office doors closed that are usually open and inviting. Words of sympathy and encouragement spoken softly to those who lost someone close to them.

Those of us left, walking around in a daze. Asking questions of the unknown to come. Wondering how to make it without our colleagues. Trying to figure out how to pick up the pieces of the jobs left behind.



But we are the lucky ones. There are over 200 people who are left to pick up the pieces of their lives. On this cold, dreary and rainy day, they did not have the option to come to work.


Pesto Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes
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1 1/2 lbs. chicken breast, split in half
Salt and pepper
1/4 c extra virgin olive oil, divided
2 c fresh basil
1/4 c walnuts
1 large garlic clove, minced
1/4 c chicken broth
1 lemon, juiced
2 Roma tomatoes, cut in half, lengthwise

Coat tomato halves with 1 tablespoon oil. Season with salt and pepper. Roast in a 375 degree oven for 45-50 minutes, or until most of the liquid is cooked out. Put basil, walnuts, garlic, salt, pepper, chicken broth, lemon juice and 2 tablespoons oil in a food processor. Process until smooth. In a large skillet, heat 2-3 teaspoons oil over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Saute chicken for 4-5 minute per side. Slice tomato halves. Top chicken with pesto and roasted tomatoes.

2 comments:

  1. Glad to hear you still have your job. I have been so worried for all my friends that work for schools here Texas and all these school job cuts. (And seriously where did all this cold and dreary weather come from... it was like 95 last week).

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  2. Hey Leah. It's Travis Ross -- from Greenfield. I've been on Blogger for about a month now, and I randomly remembered getting an e-mail a while ago where you talked about your food blog. I searched and found it. Nice blog. I'll steer my wife this direction, as she's always looking for new healthy stuff. Anyway, just wanted to drop by and say hi. Hope your family is doing well. Check out my blog at http://simplemanssurvivalguide.blogspot.com

    Look forward to hearing from you.

    Best,

    travis.

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