friday senses

a little from our week......

Tasting:

Roasted Cauliflower, Almond and Chicken with Wild Rice

inspired by this recipe

I made this up in the early afternoon and then kept it in the fridge all day, so at dinner time I could put it in the oven for a quick dinner.

Ingredients

2 chicken breasts

2 cups chopped cauliflower

1/2 cup fresh sage leaves

1/4 cup chopped raw almonds

1 small onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

3-4 cups chicken stock*

1 1/2 cups wild rice

1 cup finely grated parmesan cheese

Season chicken breasts with olive oil and s&p. 

Bake at 350° until tender and done, and then shred

While chicken is baking, saute' onion and garlic in olive oil until tender. 

Chop 1/4c sage and add to onion and garlic.

Add rice and broth* to onions. 

*THIS is where you need to follow the cooking directions on your rice. Each blend of wild rice is a bit different--mine simmered for about 35 minutes in 3 cups of chicken stock. 

Follow the cooking instructions on your rice, and simmer until rice is tender. 

While rice is cooking, toss cauliflower with olive oil, s&p and roast on baking sheet for 15 minutes

Add almonds, and 1/4 cup whole sage leaves to cauliflower, and roast for 5 minutes more. 

In a baking dish, mix together cooked rice, shredded chicken, roasted cauliflower, almonds, sage, and 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese. 

Top with remaining cheese, and bake in the oven at 400° until heated through, 20-30 minutes.

enjoy!

Seeing: blue skies and sunshine....we are in for the perfect weekend.

Smelling: the oven.....it's always on! I love these cooler temps so we can make bread, treats, and roasted veggies.

Making: Sundried tomatoes! 

-slice tomatoes (or keep the tiny ones whole) and toss in a bit of garlic olive oil, thyme, and S&P

-spread on a baking sheet and bake at 200° for 4-5 hours, depending how thin you sliced them

Last year I made batches and batches and kept them in the freezer to use all winter

Watching: It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown

Wondering: What are your favorite Halloween movies?

Quoting: Thumper

Anticipating: A trip to the pumpkin patch!

Loving: that I can wear hats every day......no combing hair required

Feeling: wonderfully overwhelmed with all the best of emotions. 

After this week's big crazy topic, I have received so many emails from friends, family, and strangers (now friends) offering up their support to me, and even some "just checking in" or "hoping you are ok" notes.

I am more than ok. 

As much as I hate controversy and usually avoid hot topics at all costs, I absolutely loved hearing everyone's positive thoughts and words these past few days. I feel so blessed and happy to have the friends that I do, and to have met so many wonderful people through blogging.

Thank you all:)

Happy Weekend!!!