Okay, so I just finished reading this book. It’s fiction, but one of the main characters is a chef, so any time she references food, the recipe is supplied at the end of each chapter.
Pretty pimp, eh?
The book itself is gosh darned good, if you’re into giggling like a school girl, weeping like a baby and having your heart ripped RIGHT OUT FROM ITS CAGE AND SMEARED ALL OVER I75 LIKE AN ARMADILLO WITHOUT A CHANCE.
So, this week I’m going to be cooking some of the recipes from the book to see if fiction chefs really know their beed-neez.
And no, I’m not cooking armadillo. Sick, you guys.
She calls this meal “pantry chicken and beans” which is rawk solid for someone who took the red-eye flight home (not really but I’ve always wanted to say that) after a weekend getaway and had zero idea or motivation to make anything that involved .1 ounce of energy.
I tweaked it a smidgeroo, but the overall results remained the same. IT’S AWESOME. It’s got a nice salty punch with the olives and anchovy paste (don’t be skeered) but also comforting with the tender pieces of chicken lightly covered in grated parmesan. I think next time I might top the entire thing with panko or breadcrumbs for some toasty crunch factor business.
And replace the chicken with armadillo.
(DID SHE JUST SAY THAT?)
Pantry Chicken and Beans:
What it took for 4:
* 1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
* 1 (14.5 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
* 1 (14.5 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
* 1 (14.5 oz) can navy beans, drained and rinsed
* 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, slightly drained
* 1 pinch crushed red pepper
* 1/3 cup chopped kalamata olives
* 2 tsp anchovy paste
* 3 cloves garlic, minced
* 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
* 12 chicken breast tenders
* 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan
* parsley, for garnish
Preheat oven to 350.
Oil the inside of a 9×13 baking dish.
Dump the beans in.
Then dump those tomatoes on top.
Then sprinkle with the crushed red pepper, followed by the anchovy paste dollops, the chopped olives, garlic and cherry tomatoes. Toss it about with your fingers to get it all combined.
Throw it in the oven for 25 minutes and bake until the cherry tomatoes start to soften and burst a tad. Top with chicken tenders, season with salt and pepper and throw back in the oven for 30 minutes. If you need to flip it to broil for a couple of minutes, das fine.
Sprinkle with grated parmesan and parsley. Serve her up and eat, eat!
Bev – looks good! This fiction chef also went to the French Culinary Institute, so kinda, sorta knows her beed-neez, although still working on keeping the mise en place organised… Sadly next book has no recipes, but who knows what cookbooks are in my future… Keep on cooking. j x
Wow, Jane! You’re sort of the LAST person I expected to hear from. Thank you for commenting! I looooved the book. And I still can’t get the story out of my mind. SO good. And yes, Steffi sure DOES know her beed-neez.
Hi Bev,
Love your blog, thanks for the funnies daily and for some awesome photos.
Please share the book title, I went to her site and cant figure out which one.
Thanks, Julie
Thanks so much, Julie! I’m so glad you read me. The book is called Promises to Keep by Jane Green. I’m so sorry, I thought my link went straight to the specific book. I’ll double check.
Thanks again!
I’m a tiny bit skeered of the anchovy paste. But honestly I’d try anything you make. I want your blog for dinner every night.
I’ve read a couple of books like that with recipes at the end and never really thought to try them out, just assuming they were no big deal kinda recipes. Maybe I should reconsider that because this one looks pretty darn good!
Oh, I really loved that book! I am just started another book called The Christmas Cookie Club that has cookie recipes in it. It’s definitely a light read but its been really fun so far.
Chicken and beans are seriously an awesome combination, love this!
You made beans look absolutely breath-taking!
Whenever I make beans and try to take pics of them…they look like….a pile of…beans. Yours are gorgeous!
Thanks for telling me about this book! I need to pick it up! This dish looks amazing!!! I have never seen a baked chicken dish that looks this good. Thanks!
I love anchovy paste (and your writing
). You can maybe tell your writer I’m not TOTALLY sure I consider fresh grated parmesan a pantry ingredient – but thats possibly because Im so greedy I nibble it off the actual cheese hunk as soon as Im within 10 feet of it! SO, it never lasts long in this house… Thats probably unique to me though. I think I’d love this. I do love beans so much!
I mean the writer or your book! I think my comment came out a little unclear there…
This looks amazing! I hope you’re doing well and having a good December so far! Miss ya
Mmmm….I love just how simple and easy this is!
This looks simple, delicious and oh so good! Love the combination of ingredients and the the variety of beans!
Yay! I’m so glad you liked it. I knew you would. I listened to the audio version and hearing the recipes read aloud made my mouth water. I’m counting on you to work your way through and then pick out the easiest one for me.
Damn, this is so pimp! How cool is this recipe?
Oooh I like recipes that can be packed into one dish like that. I’m on it.
I also like good books…so thanks for that, too!
Perfect pantry meal! YUM! And how cool that Jane commented?!
yum! looks so easy & delicious! not to mention, high protein! yay
I think I’m going to read the book and make the recipe! Thanks for sharing!
xo
http://www.fromthefirstbite.com
Love the simplicity of this. The colors are gorgeous!
What an interesting recipe this is, with anchovies and all?! I’d definitely like to try it though! I am also going to check out this book, always looking for great reads and this sounds like one. Thanks for sharing!
I’m a total sucker for pantry meals – can’t wait to try this. Bookmarking now!
I’m a bean girl, through and through. Never met a bean I didn’t like! Especially with a can of diced tomatoes!
Making this today!
What a yummy combo of chicken and beans! Loved the flavours!
Mmmm, armadillo…
I’m all about a meal that can come from the pantry. This looks fab!
Yum! So easy, love it!
Love recipes that can be made with pantry items – makes it so easy to throw dinner on the table in a hurry. And I do love a good book with a recipe or two (that work!)