12.07.2008

Pesto Bruschetta Chicken and French-Cut Green Beans

When I started on my natural / non-processed foods kick in September, this was the first meal I made. Everything is natural and as good as it can get, short of growing it all myself!

French-cut green beans are a favorite, simple side dish of mine; until recently, I've always gotten them from a can. Why not try to make these fresh, too?!



Pesto Bruschetta Chicken

For Pesto:
Ingredients
  • 2 cups packed home-grown basil (or fresh as you can get)
  • 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts, cooled
  • 1 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese or romano cheese (either or both)
  • 3 cloves crushed garlic
  • 1/4-1/2 cup EVOO, depending on how creamy you want it (I used 1/4 cup)
Directions
  1. Put into a food processor first 4 ingredients.
  2. Pulse to blend.
  3. Slowly add oil through feed tube to make a nice paste.

For Chicken:
Ingredients
  • 1 lb all-natural or organic chicken breasts (boneless, skinless) - I cut them lengthwise for this
  • 1/2 cup homemade basil pesto
  • 2-3 plum tomatoes, sliced (optional)
  • 1/2 cup freshly shredded skim mozzarella cheese
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Line baking sheet with foil.
  3. Place chicken and pesto in medium bowl; toss to coat. [or spread the pesto on top of each piece like I did here]. Place chicken on prepared baking sheet.


  4. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in center.
  5. Remove from oven; top with tomatoes (if desired) and cheese.

  6. Bake for an additional 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
French-cut green beans:
Ingredients
  • Fresh green beans from produce section (I used organic)
  • Splash of extra-virgin olive oil
  • Seasonings to taste (I use dried onion, minced garlic, black pepper, and a touch of salt)
Directions
  1. Wash green beans.
  2. If the beans are long, first cut them at an angle into lengths of about 2 inches.
  3. Cut them in half lengthwise, running the knife down the flat part between the seams of the bean.
  4. In small pan, heat oil; add beans and seasonings
  5. Toss over medium heat until until desired softness.

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