A Writer's Dream

Nothing like being handed a topic that's way too easy to write about! This weeks' FaithWriters contest topic was just announced this morning. It's "Telephones." If you know anything about my family, you know the only problem with that topic has been keeping it down to 750 words!

John is going for a blood test tomorrow. He had a physical recently, and his bloodwork showed elevated sugar and triglycerides. So he's going for a follow up. He has to fast as of 8:00 tonight, so he's rushing to make the chocolate chip cookies as fast as he can...

Tonight's dinner was Balsamic Chicken with Thyme. I'll include the regular recipe, but since I made it quite differently tonight, I'll include that, too. (For side dishes we just had plain old peas and applesauce.)

Balsamic Chicken with Thyme

3/8 cup flour
1-1/8 teaspoon salt
1-1/8 teaspoon pepper
6 halves chicken breast (boneless)(I use 12 of the little tenderloins instead)
3 tablespoon olive oil
1 large red onion
1 1/2 cup chicken broth
3 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
3/4 teaspoon thyme

Mix flour and only 3/4 tsp EACH of salt and pepper on a plate. Add chicken;
turn to coat. Shake off excess. In a large heavy skillet, heat oil over
medium heat. Add chicken and cook, turning once, 10 minutes or until
browned and cooked through. Remove to a plate; cover to keep warm. Halve
onion lengthwise and slice. Add onion to skillet and saute 1-2 minutes
until lightly browned. Add broth, vinegar, thyme and remaining salt and
pepper. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring often, 7 minutes or until onions
are soft and sauce is syrupy. Place chicken on serving plates and spoon on
onions and sauce.

That's delicious as-is, but here's the slightly easier variation that I used tonight:


12 Chicken breast tenderloins
1 large red onion, finely chopped
3-1/3 cup chicken broth
6 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon thyme
1-1/2 cups Long-grain rice

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 25 or 30 minutes, until liquid is absorbed and chicken is fully cooked.