Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Lemon

Lemony Brussels sprouts make an easy side dish that's pleasantly surprising.

Prep: 15 minutes
Total: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

Serves 4

• 12 ounces Brussels sprouts, halved lengthwise, or quartered if large
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, plus lemon wedges, for serving

Directions

1. In a skillet, combine sprouts and 1/2 cup water; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium. Cover; cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the water has evaporated and sprouts are crisp-tender, 5 to 8 minutes (add cup more water if skillet becomes dry before sprouts are done).
2. Increase heat to medium-high; add oil to skillet. Continue to cook, uncovered, without stirring, until sprouts are golden brown on underside, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. Serve with lemon wedges.

From Everyday Food, October 2008

Sage Pork Chops

 Served with caramelized Brussels sprouts with lemon and spinach and feta rice.

With little effort, you'll get big applause for 15-minute pork chops.

Prep: 15 minutes
Total: 15 minutes

Ingredients: serves 4

• 4 boneless pork loin chops (6 ounces each)
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 medium shallot, minced
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh sage or 1/4 teaspoon dried
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• 1/2 cup dry white wine

Directions:

1. Season pork generously with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat oil and butter over medium; add pork. Cook until browned and opaque throughout, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate, and cover loosely with aluminum foil to keep warm.
2. Make sauce: Add shallot to skillet; cook over medium, stirring until softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Add sage, thyme, and wine. Simmer until sauce is reduced to about 1/3 cup, 2 to 3 minutes; stir in any accumulated juices from plate with meat. Transfer chops to plates, drizzle with sauce, and serve.
   
   From Everyday Food, March 2007

Sauteed Chicken with Spinach

Prep: 15 minutes
Total: 30 minutes

A tangy mustard sauce is used to dress the spinach and top the chicken. The mustard sauce can also be drizzled over steak or tossed with boiled potatoes.

Ingredients
Serves 1.

1 teaspoon white-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon minced shallot
1/2 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast half (6 to 8 ounces)
Coarse salt
Ground pepper
4 cups (about 2 1/2 ounces) baby spinach

Directions:
Season chicken with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook until browned, turning once, 8 to 10 minutes.
Add 1/4 cup water. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover, and simmer until chicken is cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate; cover to keep warm.
Make mustard sauce: Add minced shallot to same pan; cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 3 minutes. Stir in mustard and vinegar; cook 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add butter; swirl pan until incorporated. Stir any accumulated chicken juices into sauce.
In a medium bowl, toss spinach with half the mustard sauce. Place chicken on a serving plate; drizzle with remaining sauce. Serve spinach on the side.

From Everyday Food March 2005

Helpful Hint:
This recipe can be easily altered for four people. In step 1, cook 4 chicken breast halves in 1 tablespoon oil. In step 2, add 1 cup water. In step 3, use 1/4 cup minced shallot, 1/4 cup mustard, 1 tablespoon vinegar, and 2 tablespoons butter. In step 4, toss half the sauce with 10 ounces (1 large bag) spinach.

I just love this method of cooking chicken breasts.The sauce is ok.

Steamed Broccoli with Garlic Oil

Ingredients:

• 1 head broccoli (about 1 1/2 pounds), broken into florets, stalks reserved for another use
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 3 strips lemon zest, removed with a vegetable peeler and thinly sliced
• Coarse salt and ground pepper

Directions:

1. Place a steamer basket in a saucepan filled with 1 inch water. Bring to a gentle boil. Add broccoli. Cover, and cook until crisp-tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a serving bowl.
2. In a small saucepan, heat oil over medium-high. Add garlic and lemon zest; season with salt and pepper. Cook until garlic is golden, 1 to 3 minutes. Immediately remove from heat, and drizzle over broccoli.

From Everyday Food, January 2008