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Mediterranean Melody Cod with Tangy Tomato-Olive Relish

Mediterranean Melody Cod with Tangy Tomato-Olive Relish

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Delicate fish, umami tomatoes and a briney contrast with capers + olives — a beautiful balancing act of satly, sweet and savory. It is a celebration of bold mediterranean flavors, kissed by excellent olive oil and bright lemon juice. It’s also just beautiful. A feast for the eyes and the palette.

Here I serve it over cod but any flakey mild fish works. The relish can be enjoyed many other ways too: on crusty toast with a fried egg on top, as ingredients for a savory omelette with added feta or as a spread to make an ordinary sandwich burst with flavor.

Note — this is a forgiving recipe so feel free to adjust tomato, garlic, caper and olive quantities to your liking.

I especially like the combination of Kalamata and Castelvetrano olives, but feel free to add your favorite olives to the mix.

You can double and triple the recipe for a dinner party. It’s a show stopper on the table and an all-time favorite of my dinner guests.


Ingredients —

For the Fish:

1 1/2 – 2 pounds cod
1 tablespoon olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt & Pepper to taste

For the Tomato-Olive Relish:

3 tablespoons high quality olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
4-5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons capers, dried and roughly chopped
Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
3 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half
2 cups kalamata & castelvetrano olives, sliced
Drizzle of balsamic vinegar
Juice of 1 lemon
Handful of fresh parsley, chopped
Salt & pepper to taste

Preparation —

For the Cod:

  1. Place cod in a parchment lined baking dish.
  2. Squeeze lemon juice and a drizzle of olive oil on the fish and using your hands spread to coat the fish, then season with salt and pepper.
  3. Bake for 12 minutes on the top oven rack under broil until slightly golden on top and cooked through.

For the tomato-olive relish:

  1. Heat olive oil in a medium skillet on medium-high heat.
  2. Saute onions in olive oil until translucent but not browned, 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add garlic, capers and pepper flakes (if using) and saute for another minute until garlic is fragrant. Do not let garlic brown.
  4. Add tomatoes and stir to combine everything in the pan. Cook until tomatoes have softened and some have burst, creating a sauce. About 5-8 minutes.
  5. Season with a pinch of salt and drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
  6. Add olives to the pan and mix to combine and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
  7. Remove from heat, then add lemon juice and fresh parsley. Taste and adjust salt and lemon as needed.
  8. Serve the relish on top of the fish with a final drizzle of olive oil and lemon wedges on the side and enjoy!


Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

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Thanksgiving — my favorite holiday — is around the corner and I can’t wait to start preparing warming fall flavors to celebrate with friends and family.

I’ve been cooking a thanksgiving meal for my people for 15 years, and it brings me much joy every time. I wrote about the joy and thrill of this holiday here . I look forward to building on that and creating new memories each year. Whether cooking for 25 people or 5 people, I’m simply thankful for the privilege to indulge.

My favorite way to begin the holiday meal is with this decadent and relatively healthy butternut squash soup. The key to the depth of flavor is roasting the vegetables. I often serve this as an appetizer while the mains roast and sizzle away and everyone is gathered in the kitchen enjoying wine, light appetizers, and each other’s company.

In Farsi, butternut squash is called lazy pumpkin (kadoo tanbal), which is hilarious. Butter-nut is the perfect name for this tender, sweet and nutty gourd. I simply roast the squash along with red bell peppers, onion and garlic in the oven, then blend everything together with a bit of broth and a touch of cream for a luscious end result. You can skip the cream for a dairy-free option. I serve it with toasty bread and a garnish of thyme. It’s delicious and warming – A foreshadowing to the rest of an amazing meal to come.

Ingredients:
2-3 medium butternut squash, sliced in half and seeds removed
3 medium white onions, quartered
2 red bell peppers, cut in half and seeds removed
4-6 cloves garlic (adjust to taste)
1/2 cup olive oil, add more if needed
3-4 cups vegetable stock or water, as needed
1 teaspoon salt, adjust to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Fresh lemon juice to taste
1/4 cup cream (optional)
4-6 spring of Thyme for garnish (optional)

Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment pape
  2. Slice squash in half, remove seeds, leaving skin on- it will be easier to remove once roasted.
  3. Place squash, skin side down along with onions, bell peppers, and garlic on two baking sheets. Generously coat the vegetables with olive oil, season with salt and pepper.
  4. Bake for about 40 minutes or until squash is golden brown.
  5. Roughly half way through, remove the garlic from the oven to avoid burning.
  6. Let the vegetables cool, then use a spoon to remove flesh of the squash from its skin.
  7. Working in batches, place roasted vegetables and stock in a blender or food processor and purée until smooth. Note- Be careful not to fill the blender to the top with hot vegetables as it will erupt. Leave roughly ¼ of the blender empty.
  8. Continue blending in batches, adding all the purred portions to a large pot. Then adjust the thickness of the soup by adding more stock or water until you get the desired consistency. Alternatively you can use an immersion blender in a pot.
  9. Add enough liquid to thin out the soup to your desired consistency.
  10. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if needed, and a squeeze of lemon for balance, if desired.
  11. If using, add the cream to the pot and stir until fully incorporated into the soup.

The soup will be naturally creamy at this point — the cream adds yet another level of indulgence and more luxurious, velvety texture to the mix

Serve with homemade crostini:
Cut sourdough or baguette of choice into  ½ inch thick slices. Drizzle bread with olive oil and season lightly with salt, pepper and dried oregano. Toast in the oven at 325 for 10 -15 minutes, or until golden brown.

Roasted Zucchini Salad with Parmesan and Balsamic Greens

Roasted Zucchini Salad with Parmesan and Balsamic Greens

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Sweet grilled zucchini is a delight and while wonderful on its own or as a side dish, on this salad it holds the starring role. It’s simple to make, healthy and qiuet delicious once caramelized after roasting.

Ingredients

2 large zucchini, sliced in 1/2 inch thick, 4 inch long pieces

1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus more for serving

4 cups fresh arugula

Good quality Parmesan cheese

A handful of fresh mint

3-4 radish, thinly sliced

1 Tablespoon good quality Italian balsamic vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

Preheat oven to 425 degrees

Slice zucchini and dress with olive oil, salt, pepper, mixing to coat evenly

Arrange zucchini slices on a baking sheet, taking care not to overlap them (this will cause them to steam instead of getting golden brown).

Roast until the zucchini is tender and nicely browned and caramelized, 13 to 15 minutes.

Remove from the oven and let cool while you assemble the salad.

In a large serving plate, spread the arugula and some fresh torn mint leaves. Drizzle greens with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.

Layer cooked zucchini, shaved parmesan cheese, radish. You can also add or substitute crumbled feta or ricotta cheese.

Drizzle the salad with more olive oil and balsamic vinegar and season to taste with salt and fresh cracked black pepper.

Garnish with more mint leaves and serve.

The Winters of Our Lives

The Winters of Our Lives

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There is a chill in the air, but I can still sense spring. The days feel longer, the birds seem chirpier, and there is a whisper of optimism in the air accompanied by hope. Can you feel it? Of course this year’s springtime aspirations are deeper than winters past, with heavy hopes of collective healing from the pandemic trauma for our global village.

These days, this winter, I reflect often on the hibernation the pandemic has forced us into. Some, unfairly, into far more difficult circumstances than others. In these moments of quiet reflection, I cook, I read, and I listen to NPR . This New York Times Cooking recipe of Lemony beans with turkey and greens by Melissa Clark is brilliant, and perfectly warming for said cold winter nights. Recently as I cooked and listened to the soulful voice of Krista Tippett on the On Being podcast interviewing the brilliant Katherine May on her book “Wintering” and “how “wintering replenishes,” I was left in awe of this perspective. That winter is not the death of us, but a time of regeneration.

“Plants and animals don’t fight the winter; they don’t pretend it’s not happening and attempt to carry on living the same lives they did in the summer. They prepare. They adapt. They perform extraordinary acts of metamorphosis to get them through. Wintering is a time of withdrawing from the world, maximizing scant resources, carrying out acts of brutal efficiency and vanishing from sight; but that’s where the transformation occurs. Winter is not the death of the life cycle, but it’s crucible…“

“…It’s a time for reflection and recuperation, for slow replenishment, for putting your house in order. Doing these deeply unfashionable things- slowing down, letting your spare time expand, getting enough sleep, resting- is a radical act now, but it’s essential.”

That winter is a necessity with rewarding opportunities for growth was a paradigm shift for this lover of nature. I had never thought of winter that way. This profound lesson from nature humbled me. So often we are taught that life and self-growth consist of a linear movement through time. I’m realizing more and more that is not the case. Life is cyclical. It has seasons. Like nature’s Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, so go our lives. Some winters are bigger than others, some Springs may carry more joy and better new beginnings that the ones past. But onward we go, through the winters and the seasons of our lives, hopefully learning and building new and meaningful connections along the way.

A couple of years ago we had a series of tough storms in New York. One icy storm was particularly intense and sadly took down mighty trees. We were certain the sole rose which had miraculously made it to November would not make it through the icy cold attack on the garden. But somehow it did. Once the storm had passed, it stood majestically against the blue sky, rebellious, laughing at destiny. And while the rose is only a metaphor, I love how it represented getting through the storm with beauty and grace. Even if the flower had not been there, it’s roots would have been- replenishing deep within the soil and preparing for spring.


زندگی کوچه سبزی است
میان دل و دشت
زندگی حس شکوفایی یک مزرعه در باور بذر
زندگی رسم پذیرایی از تقدیر است

Life is a green pathway.
Meandering through love and Fields and deserts.
Life, is the plantations dream of blossoming in the imagination of the seedling.
Life, is the tradition of entertaining and welcoming destiny.

Above is a poem by beloved Persian Poet Sohrab Sepehri, which I humbly attempted to translate to English. I love it’s meaning and it’s promise. It beautifully captures the notion of the constant movement of life, the power of surrending to the seasons, and the infinite potential of imagination while tending to the gardens of our inner selves.

For further discovery on Wintering: Resilience and how trees illuminate the art of self-renewal in difficult times, read this incredible piece from Brain Pickings– one of my favorite corners of the world wide web, where Maria Popova shares wisdom drawn from literature, nature, science, art, philosophy, and the various nuance of the human experience.

I know I can be sentimental, and at the risk of being too cloying I had to share my sentiments on the literal and figurative winters of our lives. I’m grateful to the creators, writers, poets, recipe developers, and podcast engineers who provide ideas to support my season of self-renewal.

While restoring the spirit and nurturing the mind, nourishing the body also helps. Homemade feel-good food is an important part of self-care. You may want to try my Chicken & Rice Soup with Glorious Garlic Chili Chips. Rich and brothy with familiar flavors of home, this is a good-for-the-soul kind of delicious soup.

Or this creamy, dreamy butternut squash soup for a vegetarian option.

Meanwhile in the garden, Spring perseveres with it’s underground revolution…

Chicken & Rice Soup with Glorious Garlic Chile Chips

Chicken & Rice Soup with Glorious Garlic Chile Chips

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Rich and brothy with familiar flavors of home, this is a good-for-the-soul kind of delicious soup. It’s a simple and comforting recipe that I go back to repeatedly- a personal favorite which I’m excited to share with you.

This recipe is chicken soup for the soul. Earthy, filling and nutritious, it tastes like home. Like something grandma made. The soup has body and richness. And the finishing drizzle of chile oil with garlic chips will make your taste buds dance!

The flavor combination of ginger and dill is unique, and equally heavenly. The union of all the other ingredients create several layers of flavor. It starts with the punch of the sweet and spicy garlic chili chips in the first spoonful. Hello! A delightful top note, followed by the heart of the flavor accomplished by the unique harmony of ginger and dill. Finally, the lasting base notes of the magic created by the marriage of chicken and rice. All of the flavors thrive on this foundation of flavor, resulting in something great.

This soup is nutrient-rich- garlic, onion, ginger, kale, broth, and dopamine-spiking garlic chile oil. The garlic chips take a simple soup to an entirely new level. The aroma and textural contrast of the garlic gives complexity to the soup while the heat balances with the otherwise mellow flavor of the stock made velvety by the natural starches of rice. It is garliky, but, I love that, and hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Fair warming, its addicting and you may find yourself coming back to it over and over again too.

“Only the pure of heart can make good soup” — Beethoven


INGREDIENTS

  • 8-10 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 3 tsp. crushed red chile flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large white or yellow onion, chopped
  • 4-5 inches fresh ginger, chopped
  • 1 cup white rice, preferably basmati for added aroma
  • 1 1/2 – 2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs
  • 3-4 big handfuls kale or spinach
  • 8 cups water, chicken or vegetable stock
  • 1 lemon
  • Handful of fresh dill
  • 2 tsp. kosher salt

    ~Note this is a large batch soup which makes about 8 servings. Opt for a half recipe if you desire a smaller portion. I like to make a big pot, enjoy it for dinner and have leftovers for a couple of days after. You can also adjust the heat levels and reduce chili flakes for less spicy results.

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Wash basmati rice 2-3 times until the water runs clear. Prep your veggies.
  2. For the garlic chile chips- Heat 1/3 cup olive oil to medium-low heat in the same large pot you’ll be making the soup in. Add garlic, stirring often, until light golden brown, 3–5 minutes. Pay attention to avoid burning garlic (it can happen fast!). Garlic will continue to cook in the hot oil after removing from the pan. Transfer to a bowl, leaving a bit of oil in the pot. Stir 2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes into garlic oil and set aside.
  3. Add ginger and onion to oil remaining in the pan. Add a bit more oil if pan is dry. Stirring occasionally, cook over medium heat, until onion is a light golden brown, 4-5 minutes. The kitchen will smell heavenly at this point.
  4. Pour your cooking liquid of choice into the pot. Add chicken thighs, rice and 1 teaspoon of salt to the cooking liquid and bring to boil. Then lower to a temperature to maintain a gentle simmer.
  5. Cover the pan partially and cook for about 15-20 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
  6. Once chicken is cooked through, transfer to a plate and shred the meat using two forks. In the meantime keep simmering soup uncovered to continue building flavor. The natural starch of the rice beautifully thicken the broth for silky and full bodied richness.
  7. Add shredded chicken back into the pot. Follow with adding a few generous handfuls of chopped kale into the liquid. Be even more generous if using spinach and stir to mix all ingredients. It will look like a lot of greens but they wilt down quickly.
  8. At this point add more broth or water if liquid has reduced too much. You can adjust based on the desired consistency you want. I prefer soup to be dense (not watery) for a rich end result.
  9. Continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced to the desired thickness, 4-5 minutes.
  10. Finally give the soup a nice squeeze of fresh lemon juice  and season to taste with more salt if needed. Stir to combine.
  11. Serve soup in bowls, drizzle with garlic-chile chips and fresh dill (it’s heavenly and “dill-licious,” trust me!).

Around the Table in 365 Days

Around the Table in 365 Days

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The departure of a year welcomes many new memories. As we near the end of this year, I like to take a moment and reflect on the last twelve months; the challenges faced, the lessons learned, the new friendships built. And of course for the epicurean-hearted, the delicious meals shared with loved ones, breaking bread together, in style.

Seneca, the Roman Stoic philosopher said “every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” Who knew what to truly expect a year ago today? We all had specific hopes and plans of course, but alas the best laid plans… And though the year may have had it’s challenges, and the Oxford dictionary word of the year is “toxic,” I like to believe there was more good than ugly. More nourishment than toxicity. More magic than madness.

Call me an eternal optimist but the world is filled with wonder. Science advanced, new planets were discovered, more women were elected into government, friendships were fortified, people in love found each other, new skills were learned, music was heard, and flowers bloomed. We made it through life’s ups and downs, and came together around tables in New York, Tehran, Tokyo, and beyond.

Around those tables live my favorite memories of the last 365 days. Arguably, there is nothing more precious than those moments shared with friends and family, old and new. In that spirit, here are some of our favorite recipes… cook them for someone you love.

So Happy New Year, friends! Or as Charles Dickens said, “May the New Year be a happy one to you, happy to many more whose happiness depends on you!”

Naz

Basil & Roses Favorite Recipes

Skillet Chicken Thighs With Shallot, Lemon & Herbs

https://basilandroses.com/2018/02/01/skillet-chicken-thighs-with-shallot-lemon-herbs/?preview_id=2589&preview_nonce=cb6da79281&preview=true&_thumbnail_id=2606

Spicy tomato shakshuka with spinach, feta, jalapeno & za’atar.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Brv40T8DcIQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Healthy & Gorgeous Tuna Salad with Mint

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpezBbzHR5Y/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

20 Minute Roasted Butter Salmon

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn-JT5wH0Jl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Taco Tuesday Chicken Tacos with Salsa Fresca

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlwDJvtHT0H/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Roasted Cauliflower with Schug

https://basilandroses.com/2018/06/29/roasted-cauliflower-with-schug-a-quick-trip-around-the-world/

Nani’s Decadent But Healthy Butternut Squash Soup

https://basilandroses.com/2017/11/22/nanis-decadent-but-healthy-butternut-squash-soup/

Spicy Thai Basil Beef

https://basilandroses.com/2017/10/26/spicy-thai-basil-beef/

Pretty Pickled Onions

https://basilandroses.com/2017/10/03/pretty-pickled-onions/
Happy Hanukkah from Basil & Roses!

Happy Hanukkah from Basil & Roses!

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Ah, ’tis the season for celebrations and merriment. I love this time of year. No matter which holiday you celebrate, which customs and folklore you subscribe to, and regardless of which heritage and ritual is the wellspring of your origin story; the themes of gratitude, gathering, tradition, family and love are universal.

I especially love being invited to friend’s homes with different cultural and religious backgrounds and learning about new customs, legends and wisdom. And of course, I love to share mine with you.

The Hanukkah story is the story of an oppressed people triumphing over the tyrants who sought to take away their freedom. It is the story of light triumphing over darkness, of a people overcoming seemingly impossible odds. That’s beautiful. Later this month we will celebrate the Persian holiday of “Shabeh Yalda” which carries a similar theme of light overcoming darkness. Yalda , the first day of Winter (Winter solstice), marks the longest night of the year. From there, the days start getting longer, so, culturally it represents the symbolic victory of light over darkness.  The symbolism is incredible! And  what better way to celebrate than with a festive meal! Below are some of our favorite recipes to inspire your Hannukkah menu and beyond.

“Nothing can dim the light that shines from within,” said Maya Angelou.

Wishing you all light and love today, this holiday season and always!

Homemade Falafel with Herb Tahini Sauce and Shirazi Salad

Beer + Basil Braised Brisket

Green Garden Herb Basmati Rice with Basil, Mint, Chive + Rosemary (and an unexpected virtual trip home)

Skillet Chicken Thighs With Shallot, Lemon & Herbs

Persian Stuffed Peppers (Dolmeh)

Persian Cucumber Salad with Red Onion & Thai Basil

Roasted Cauliflower with Schug & A Quick Trip Around the World

Happy Thanksgiving from Basil & Roses!

Happy Thanksgiving from Basil & Roses!

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Happy Thanksgiving, friends! We’re in full swing here planning our feast at the Basil & Roses kitchen and wanted to take a moment to thank you for coming along this amazing culinary ride with us! The Persian poet Rumi says ” Wear gratitude like a cloak and it will feed every corner of your life.” I’m grateful for you, and for the opportunity to share my art, which is my cooking, with you and the world every single day. I hope the recipes I share with you,  feed your spirits, your families, your friends and your hearts.

Our full menu will be up on the blog soon. In the mean time, I wanted to share some our favorite side dishes, which may inspire you as you plan your own celebration.

Happy Holidays!

Your dedicated happiness maker,

Nazanin

 

Roasted Cauliflower with Schug

Nani’s Decadent But Healthy Butternut Squash Soup

I’ve served this earlier when everyone arrives on Thanksgiving and it’s always a hit! It’s a warming, feel-good dish that nicely captures the flavors of fall. The trick is in roasting the vegetables first.

 

Roasted Veggie Quinoa Medly

 

Fragrant Mediterranean Salad

 

Persian Cucumber Salad with Red Onion & Thai Basil

 

Cauliflower Parmesan

 

Red Cabbage Slaw with Honey-Lime-Cumin Vinaigrette

 

Rosemary & Sea Salt Baked Potato Chips

 

Green Garden Herb Basmati Rice

 

Persian Stuffed Sweet Peppers (Dolemh)

 

 

 

 

Cauliflower “Parmesan”

Cauliflower “Parmesan”

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Oh glorious cauliflower, how we love you so. A blank canvas which you can do so much with- from roasting, to sauteing, to ricing and beyond. Because of the relatively mild flavor, cauliflower works nicely with vibrant flavors like lemon, caper and herbs, as in our favorite Chimichurri sauce or our golden roasted recipe with a tangy tahini sauce.

On any given week, roasted cauliflower is on the dinner menu as a side dish in our home. But this humble vegetable can be the star, especially all dressed up in spicy tomato sauce and bubbly, melty cheese.

One of my personal favorite recipes, I present to you the Basil & Roses Beautiful Cauliflower Parmesan! It’s our healthy take on an eggplant or chicken Parm. Flavorful and satisfying with a lovely presentation for a feast for your eyes.

The presentation of this dish is simple but stunningly beautiful. Pair with a lovely Italian red wine like a Chianti Classico or Montepulciano and enjoy with someone special- or just make it for your own fabulous self and relish in the simple elegance of perfectly paired ingredients.

Ingredients:
1 whole head cauliflower
1 1/2 cups of your favorite tomato sauce ( I like Dave’s Gourmet Spicy Heirloom)
2-3 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 cup shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1/4  cup grated Parmesan cheese
1-2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried garlic powder
1-2 teaspoons red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
Kosher salt + pepper to taste

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425°.
Carefully cut cauliflower into 3 thick pieces, holding carefully so florets don’t crumble.
Lay flat on cookie sheet and drizzle with olive oil.
Sprinkle with salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, oregano and garlic powder.
Roast for about 30 minutes or until slightly golden.
Remove from oven.
Sprinkle a thin layer of Mozzarella cheese.
Generously cover with Marinara sauce.
Sprinkle with a pinch more dried oregano.
Sprinkle remaining shredded Mozzarella cheese on top of sauce.
Place back in the over until cheese melts and is nice and bubbly.
Remove from oven, serve with grated Parmesan cheese and freshly gated black pepper.

Skillet Chicken Thighs With Shallot, Lemon & Herbs

Skillet Chicken Thighs With Shallot, Lemon & Herbs

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A sophisticated yet humble approach to cooking is all you need for this recipe. It is about technique. A simple one which delivers results fabulous enough for a gathering, yet quick enough for a weeknight dinner.

I have always enjoyed the down-to-earth-ness of cooking with cast iron skillets. But in the past few months, I’ve learned it is more than a look or a feel. This tool delivers fantastic results- mainly because it retains heat within the metal, cooking food uniformly at hot temperatures, and leading to superior flavors.

They are heavy in weight and require small maintenance (mainly to avoid rust), but the minor care is well worth the end results. I became a believer after making our “Best Steak of Your Life” recipe in a cast iron skillet. I’ve made many fantastic recipes since and my favorite go-to dish is Skillet Chicken Thighs! Regardless of what aromatics you use, the technique of cooking the chicken skin side down to render the natural fats, make the skin crispy and draws out phenomenal flavor!

In this rendition I use shallots, rosemary, thyme and caramelize lemons. But this recipe is infinitely customizeable. Swap the rosemary for oregano, add mushrooms or sweet tender peas. Zucchini and squash take well to this rustic recipe as well. Get creative with your favorite veggies and herbs, you can’t mess this up!

Note- My favorite skillet is the Lodge Seasoned 12″ pan found here. The supplier Quiverr provides excellent customer service on how to best care for your cast iron.

Ingredients:
6 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs (approximately 2.5 pounds)
1 large or 2 small lemons, sliced
1-2 small shallots, sliced
1 small garlic clove, roughly chopped
1/2 teaspoon crushed red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
4-5 sprigs fresh rosemary and thyme (if you don’t have fresh herbs, dried oregano works well too)
1/2 cup dry white wine
1-2 teaspoons vegetable oil
Kosher salt + freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 425°.
Pat dry chicken with a paper towel (any water will cause messy splatter).
Season chicken generously with salt + pepper on both sides.
Slice the lemon, reserving some juice for later.

Heat skillet to medium after coating with 1 teaspoon of grape seed oil or any vegetable oil with a high smoke point. You can use olive oil, it only means you’ll have more smoke while cooking.

Add chicken skin side down and listen to the sizzle as the skin browns while the natural fat is rendered.
Cook chicken this way for 8-10 minutes or until halfway cooked through.
Transfer chicken from skillet to platter.

Layer 1/2 the lemon slices on bottom of skillet, add chicken back on top of lemons (skin side up), and add remaining lemon slices among chicken thighs.
Lemons on the bottom will beautifully caramelize while top lemons soften.
Transfer skillet to oven, allowing chicken to cook through (approximately 8 minutes).
Remove skillet from oven and move caramelized lemons and chicken to a plate.

On medium heat, add shallots, garlic, herbs and red chili flakes to the soft lemons in the skillet.
Stir frequently for 1-2 minutes. The aromas will we wonderful at this point.
Add the wine to skillet to de-glaze the plan, scraping flavor-packed brown bits from bottom of pan.
Squeeze remaining lemon into sauce and season with salt + pepper.
Return chicken to skillet and nestle in the delicious sauce you just created.
Make sure thighs are not submerged in sauce to maintain crispiness.
Top with caramelized lemons and serve!