Recipe(tried): A Victory Garden and a Recipe.... Grecian Chicken Breasts, Florida Sunshine Glazed Carrots, Roasted Potatoes with Herbs and Garlic, Banana Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Good Morning,

On our last day in Georgia, Mom and I took a drive around one of the many beautiful neighborhoods they have. We came upon 2 old chairs that had been thrown away and the owners encouraged us to take them as they had no use for them. I knew right away what I wanted to do with them, a chair garden!! They no longer had seats on them and when I got home I went straight to Home Depot.

There I purchased some chicken wire, moss and a bag of soil. I stapled the chicken wire all around the perimeter of where the seat used to be, making an indentation to hold the moss and soil and planted some herbs in them. Then I sat those two chairs in a garden I have on the side of my house. The full sun hits that spot.

When tragedy befell our nation, we wanted to do something to show that we cared. We created a Victory Garden there this weekend in honor of rescue workers and those who have lost their precious lives in the WTC and Pentagon. We planted red spike, white and red petunias, red pentas, blue porterweed and a variety of other blues to create a patriotic hue of colors. It is a beautiful spot and one in which we can go a say a special prayer for those lost.

How has the events that transpired on September 11th changed your life? Share some of your inspirations and ideas with us.

Tonight for dinner we will enjoy Grecian Chicken, Glazed Carrots, Roasted Herb Potatoes and Banana Cake.

Gina

Grecian Chicken Breasts
serves 6

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, split
1 pkg. (10oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1 pkg. (8oz.) feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp. paprika
12 strips bacon

Preheat oven to 325. Cut a pocket into each breast, salt and pepper to taste and set aside.

Thoroughly drain and squeeze any liquid from the thawed spinach. Do not cook. Combine with feta cheese, mayonnaise, and garlic. Stuff into the pockets.

Combine the flour and paprika and lightly coat the stuffed chicken breasts. Wrap 2 strips of bacon around each breast and place on a baking sheet. Bake uncovered at 325. for 1 hour. Unbelievably delicious!!!

Florida Sunshine Glazed Carrots
Serves 6

6 carrots, peeled and sliced large chunks
2 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground corriander
1/4 tsp. allspice
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) butter
salt and pepper to taste
2 Tbsp. fresh orange or tangerine juice

Place the carrots in a saucepan, cover barely with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Rinse under cold water and drain.

Stir the sugar and spices together and set aside.

Melt the butter in a skillet, stir in the carrots and the citrus juice. Sprinkle with the sugar mixture and cook over med. heat till carrots are glazed and sauce is slightly thick. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

ROASTED POTATOES WITH HERBS AND GARLIC

2 lbs. small red potatoes, cleaned and quartered
2 large cloves of garlic, sliced thinly
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. savory
1/2 tsp. thyme
1/2 tsp. marjoram
salt and pepper to taste

Toss the potatoes with the other ingredients. Salt and pepper to taste. Roast in a large baking pan at 500 stirring one or twice for 30 mts.

BANANA LAYER CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

2 1/4 cups cake flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon plus pinch of salt
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large)
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon plus 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/3 cups sugar
2 large eggs

2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

2 large bananas, peeled, sliced

Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly butter three 8-inch-diameter cake pans with 2-inch-high sides; dust pans with flour. Combine cake flour, baking soda, baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt in medium bowl. Mix mashed bananas, buttermilk and 1 teaspoon vanilla in another medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat 1/2 cup butter and sugar in large bowl until blended. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating to blend after each addition. Add dry ingredients alternately with banana mixture in 3 additions, beginning and ending with dry ingredients and beating just until blended after each addition. Divide batter equally among prepared pans.

Bake cakes until tops are just beginning to color and tester inserted into center comes out with a few crumbs attached, about 20 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on racks 10 minutes. Using small knife, cut around cakes to loosen; turn cakes out onto racks and cool completely.

Beat cream cheese and remaining 1 cup butter in large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in remaining 1 tablespoon vanilla and pinch of salt. Gradually beat in powdered sugar. Cover and refrigerate frosting until firm enough to spread, about 15 minutes.

Place 1 cake layer on platter. Spread 1/2 cup frosting over top. Place half of sliced bananas evenly over frosting, leaving 1/4-inch border at edge. Place second cake layer on work surface. Spread 1/4 cup frosting over top. Place cake layer, frosting side down, atop bananas. Spread 1/2 cup frosting over top. Place remaining half of sliced bananas evenly over frosting, leaving 1/4-inch border at edge. Place third cake layer on work surface. Spread 1/4 cup frosting over top. Place cake layer, frosting side down, atop bananas. Spread remaining frosting over sides and top of cake. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Let stand 1 hour at room temperature before serving.)

Serves 8 to 10.

Bon App tit
October 1997

R.S.V.P.
Gabrielle Restaurant, New Orleans LA