Hope in a Jar and at the Door

When something painful or difficult happens, life starts to feel like a see-saw.  You go about your work day, hit the gym, have a drink with a work colleague and you feel fine. Suddenly, you fall apart and can't seem to talk. Today I mainly kept myself together and functioned. It would not have been possible except for one of my best friends who offered to come over for dinner.  We hadn't seen each other in a while. She too has been through some tough stuff recently. It was wonderful to catch up and comforting to be reminded that friends are close by.  She knew that I was upset about this break with the boyfriend. So she picked up a tiny sample of Hope in a jar from Sephora. Hope is what I need right now. She also brought tulips.  It was perfect. Our friends know how to take care of us. At least I could cook her dinner.


We had a wonderful evening talking and listening to Bebel Gilberto. Her album Tanto Tempo is full of jazzy sambas with a hint of electronics. Her deep, smooth voice creates music that is soothing, and in no way not sad or uplifting.  It's easy to listen on repeat because, in the most beautiful way, the music just hangs there and lets you be. There's a beat, but its subtle and comforting. One of my favorite songs is "So Nice (Summer Samba)." In the end, don't we all just want someone to samba though life with?

Someone to hold me tight  
That would be very nice  
Someone to love me right  
That would be very nice
 
Someone to understand  
Each little dream in me 
Someone to take my hand  
To be a team with me
 
So nice, life will be so nice 
If one day I'd find  
Someone who would take my hand  
And samba through life with me

Chicken with Prosciutto and Sage from Everyday Food: Great Food Fast (page 276)
Serves 4
Total Time 30 minutes

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
Coarse salt
Fresh ground pepper
4 fresh whole sage leaves
4 minced sage leaves
4 chicken cutlets (6-8 oz each)
4 slices (3oz) thinly slices prosciutto
4 tsp olive oil
3/4 cup dry white wine
1/3 cup reduced-sodium canned chicken broth
1 Tbsp cold butter

In shallow bowl stir together flour, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Set aside

Lay 1 sage leaf lengthwise on each cutlet, wrap a prosciutto slice around the middle of each cutlet, encasing the sage. Flatten with the plam of your hand to help the proscuitto adhere to the chicken.
Dredge cutlets in flour, tap off excess

In large nonstick skillet, heat 2 tsp of olive oil over medium-high heat
Cook cutlets 2 at a time until golden brown and cooked through 3 - 4 minutes per side
remove and keep warm

Add wine and broth to the skillet, cover over high heat until reduced by three quarters, about 2 min
Remove from hear let cool 1 min
Add the butter and minced sage stir until the butter is melted, about 30 secs
Spoon the sauce onto plates top with the cutlets
Serve immediately

Another easy chicken recipe that looks and tastes a little fancier than the prep time would lead you to believe.  I reheated the spinach salad from last night in a skillet and it still tasted good.  It was healthy comfort food. So Nice.