Tuesday, July 7, 2009

An Orange Fancy

I have been working back to back to back Paris trips and feel like I live in Paris more than at home in Massachusetts. Oh, what a tease life is! Upon arrival, the morning Parisian sun glowed a soft orange, giving a feeling of warmth and brightness. It has certainly been warm in Paris lately and according to the traffic, most Parisians were headed for holiday or just out of the city. I went shopping. The summer sales are going strong now,and I had planned to go to a store near the Madeleine that sells handbags. I needed to add to my Longchamp collection. And I did! And it was orange! It is such a happy bag that I had to use it immediately. I even found a companion, but it was just a fantasy! As dinner time approached, my friend and I decided to go to Chez Papa. I had never been, and after shopping, a bistro was in the budget. It specializes in the south west cuisine of France, which is spicier than other regional food. My friend and I both had duck. I had Duck Confit that came with sautéed potatoes. On the side was a spicy and sweet red pepper jam, and a dry pepper condiment to spoon on top. Wow, that really made the dish. I thought how nice it would be to have those spices with chicken as well.

After a short walk back to the hotel,
I managed to get a solid 8 hours sleep before my alarm went off. After the flight back home, I decided to give my idea for chicken a try. I marinated the chicken in orange juice, because I was in an orange state of mind, and herbs and spices. The chicken was marinating, the grill was firing up and I readied the plates. I then grilled the chicken, and served it with a red pepper jam mixed with orange zest. I think I have a new orange fancy...besides my new bag, of course!

Grilled
Orange Chicken With Red Pepper Jam

2 pounds chicken breasts, split or cut of choice

For the marinade:
3/4 cup orange juice
3 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon finely chopped rosemary, or 1/2 teaspoon dried
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano, or 2 teaspoons dried
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme, or 2 teaspoons dried
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil, or 2 teaspoons dried
4 fresh sage leaves, or 1/4 teaspoon dried
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Mix garlic, herbs, and cayenne pepper with orange juice. Put chicken in a covered glass pan or zip lock bag, and pour in marinade. Marinate 2 hours, drain and discard marinade. Grill until done.
Garnish with orange zest and serve with Red Pepper Orange Jam.

Serves 4.

Red Pepper Orange Jam

1/3 cup red pepper jam*
1 tablespoon grated orange zest, plus more for garnish

*I used a Red Pepper Jam with Ancho Chilies, by Earth & Vine Provisions, Inc.

Stir orange zest into red pepper jam and serve.

Makes 1/3 cup.

Written and photographed by Diane.

Grilled Orange
Chicken With Red Pepper Jam recipe (pdf)


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9 comments:

La Table De Nana said...

Apart from my not being physically in Paris.. we were on the same wavelength last night~ It will be my post demain..
I love the idea of an ORANGE Happy Post..The bag the food..the shops.. the art.. Oh lala quelle belle vie Diane..

Ry @ Sotto Il Monte Vineyards said...

Love the bag - I have just the shoes to go with it!
Will have to put one on my wish list.
How do you have the time to fly back and forth, cook and take such beautiful photos?
I'm in awe!

Pearl said...

love the new bag!

The Messy Baker said...

Amazing. I have all those herbs growing in my garden. Must be fate!

a quiet life said...

i so love your blog, the best of everything is here... and those pics, THEY always make me sooooo happy when i come here!

Karine said...

It looks great! I love the combination of orange and chickem MmM

Lori (All That Splatters) said...

The flavors of your recipe sound absolutely delicious. And love the bag!!

Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... said...

Fabulouse new Bag and the Chicken !!!! MMMMuah! Can't wait to try !!Just found you and have been checking you out...Great blog, xoxo~Kathy@ Sweet Up-North Mornings... Stop in for a visit anytime...

Pam said...

Can't decide if I need the handbag or the Vespa more! Just have to get both I guess. Date at Chez Papa in the fall?