NEXT FOOD NETWORK STAR!!

So my sister turned me on to this show and of course like any other reality show I see I became addicted. Well I made the Four Step Chicken and the Individual Gratin Potatoes from the finale and they were so delicious. I can't even tell you how good and my whole family loved it. It was so easy to make too!




Flexible 4-Step Chicken for Family and Company - Rustic Lemon-Onion Chicken

* 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, sliced in half crossways (butterflied, cut all the way through)
* 1 teaspoon dried thyme, plus 1 small bunch fresh thyme, leaves chopped
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 4 tablespoons olive oil
* 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
* 1 red onion, thinly sliced
* 1/4 cup white wine, optional
* 1 cup chicken broth
* 3 lemons, juiced
* 1 to 2 tablespoons butter
* Spinach "bed", recipe follows

Directions

Season chicken with dried thyme and salt and pepper. Heat a large saute pan over medium heat and add the oil. Dredge the chicken in flour, add to the hot oil and saute until cooked through. Set chicken aside to rest on plate tented with foil.

In same saute pan, over low heat, add onions and fresh thyme and cook until aromatic.

In a measuring cup, measure out wine, if using, and broth, and add the lemon juice. Turn the heat up to high, and deglaze the pan with the broth mixture until starting to reduce.

Remove the pan from the heat and finish the sauce by whisking in butter. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Place a bed of cooked spinach on a serving platter, top with the chicken. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and serve.

Spinach "bed": I didn't make this but I bet it would be great with the meal.

* 1 bag pre-washed fresh spinach
* 3 tablespoons water
* 1 tablespoon butter
* 1 lemon, juiced
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Microwave spinach in a microwave-proof dish with a few tablespoons of water on high for 5 to 6 minutes, or until hot. Drain, and toss with butter, lemon juice, and salt and pepper, to taste.

5-Minute Individual Potato Gratins

* Vegetable spray
* 2 large russet potatoes, roughly peeled and thinly sliced
* 1/2 cup grated Swiss cheese
* 2 green onions, finely chopped
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 3/4 cup heavy cream
I also added a little bit of cheddar to the mix!

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Spray 8 muffin tins with vegetable spray. Layer potato slices, cheese, and onions into each muffin cup. Season with salt and pepper and top each gratin with 1 or 2 tablespoons of heavy cream. Cover with foil and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, removing the foil halfway through cooking time. Invert gratins onto plate and serve.