Something about this meal stuck with me…maybe it was the good company, or maybe it was just how good and fresh it tasted. I specifically remember our friend squeezing the canned whole tomatoes with his hands to make the sauce…you would think this would not be new to me…but apparently it’s taken me 8 years to actually make sauce this way on my own. Something about using whole tomatoes in your homemade tomato sauce…once those tomatoes get broken up, the smell of freshness is so overwhelmingly delicious. You’ve got to try it yourself.
We enjoyed this meal with some Summer Vegetable Gratin and of course some good Chianti…
Recipe from Aggie’s Kitchen
3-4 chicken breasts
olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
2 large cans whole peeled tomatoes
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
bunch fresh basil leaves
shredded mozzarella cheese
freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 pound whole wheat pasta
Cook pasta according to directions on box.
Season both sides chicken with olive oil, salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. Place over hot grill over medium heat. Cook for approximately 4-6 minutes on each side, depending on thickness. You can tell chicken is cooked through when juices run clear when pricked with fork or knife. Or cut through thick portion of chicken to check. After you take chicken off grill, cover with aluminum foil and let rest, chicken will continue to cook on its own for a few more minutes.
Pour canned whole tomatoes and their juices into a large bowl. Using your hands, gently squeeze tomatoes until crushed. Continue to crush until it reaches a thin, but still chunky, consistency.
In medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes till fragrant. Carefully add crushed tomatoes to garlic and olive oil. Bring sauce to a boil, then lower to simmer. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 20-25 minutes. Add torn pieces of fresh basil to sauce and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
Serve grilled chicken and whole wheat pasta with chunky tomato sauce, sprinkled with shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Last week I was contacted by a representative from Carrabba’s to tell me about special event they are hosting this next week at their restaurant. It benefits the Muscular Dystrophy Association and sounds like a nice night out for a good cause. While you’re there…stay for dinner and order my favorite things on the menu…Calamari Ricardo and Chicken Bryan with a side of pasta with garlic and oil….mmmm.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill “Mix it up for MDA” Event
What: “Mix it Up for MDA” Event, a fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association
When: Thursday, July 30thfrom 5 p.m. to close
Cost: $15 a person
Admission includes a sampling of four food items from the new Mr. C’s Bar Menu and, for guests 21 years and older, one of three signature cocktails (Blackberry Lemonade, the Italian Lemon Drop or Blackberry Fields Martini) or another drink on the Mr. C’s list. In addition to monies raised from event admission, Carrabba’s also will donate $1 to MDA for each of the three signature drinks sold from July 30 – August 6.
Where: To find Carrabba’s locations near you, visit http://carrabbas.com/locator.aspx
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
Yummy recipe Aggie. I wish I had a good memory like that. I cant even remember what I ate for lunch much less 8 years ago!!!LOL
Yummers!!! I'm definately gonna have to give this one a try. Also, I love the summer gratin & make it often!! It's a wonderful way to use summer squash.
Tiff
The good times always seem to be food realted especially when travelling.
I don't eat chicken, but summer vegetable gratin with fresh pasta sauce? I'm in!
Looks fabulous, Aggie. It is true there are some meals you never forget.
Yum. All of it! Yum.
YUM – this looks awesome!!
This looks delicious! I typically make a similar version of this – with grilled or broiled chicken instead of a breaded cutlet – but this is definitely a fresh twist on the sauce that I will have to try.
Your vegetable gratin looks absolutely amazing, so does the chicken…. light and fresh.
It all looks fabulous but with gardens spilling their bounty I'd have to give the gratin my vote for favorite. As to food and memory…
it's possible to have memories without food but impossible to have food without memories.
Looks delicious Aggie! We were kind of along the same minds…chicken, pasta, tomato sauce! The gratin looks delish too!
Aggie,
This is my kind of meal. I like that the chicken is grilled instead of breaded and pan-fried. And I love that summer gratin. I need to make that again…actually I will be making the whole meal. Thanks (as usual) for a great looking meal.
This looks like a gorgeous and delicious meal. Right up my alley!
Yup,those look very unforgettable..
Oh yummy! This looks like something I could make once a week and never get sick of it!
Nice addition of tomato slices & chianti!
Both those dishes look wonderful..I'll have to check out the vegetable gratin too!
I think I might be the same way with my memory. Sometimes things just hit home for you, and just stay for a while… a long while.
Chicken parm is an instant classic, and I love how you summer-ized it
Wow that recipe looks amazing Aggie. I'm the same way remembering food or clothes or something but I can't find my diaper bag anywhere in my little house! So silly.
Aggie – you've got a really great memory! It was a nice night for certain and I hope that we can do it again some day. The distance is a little greater now but the sauce hasn't changed in about 12 years. You are close with your recipe. I will gladly send you the details of the sauce and you can let me know if its worth the effort.
Thanks for the the memories – Joey
Love the veggies and pasta! Great meal!
Aggies this look like an unforgetable meal for sure!
Wow Aggie, everything looks really delicious. I love how you include a pic of the wine that went along with the dish. Cheers!
Joey…what a wonderful surprise to find your comment on here! I didn't even know you knew about my blog! I would love for you to tell me how you really make your sauce! Hope your family is doing well!
Aggie
The Chicken Parmesan looks absolutely delicious and I love the sides you served with it!
It's cool that you blogged about Carrabba's MDA event… I blogged about it, too!
Yum. So fresh and light!
Egads, what a good memory! Looks yummy.
Aggie, I will type it up and send it via email to your boy. With all this cooking, I hope you have him eat on a treadmill
Hope we can get to the kids together at some point to start some trouble. The stories they will hear… Enjoy the summer – J
I too remember different meals I have eaten over the years.
This looks like one fantastic dinner – I love everything about it!
I have had meals like that too – where I remember EXACTLY what I made and who I was with! This looks delish!
Oh that looks so tasty. The vegetables look wonderful too!
This looks amazing, and that vegetable gratin? wow!