Roasted Veggies with Chicken Tenders (Renaissance Blend Olive Oil)

This multi-step process of roasting root veggies and then immersing them in a deglazed broth with wine produces the most tender and flavor filled side to chicken tenders. The renaissance herb blend complements poultry well and adds English garden essence to the vegetables.

What you will need (dinner for four)

1. enfuso Renaissance Blend Infused Olive Oil

2. Two large chicken breasts

3. 1 cup flour seasoned with salt and pepper

4. 1/2 cup vegetable broth

5. 1/2 cup dry white wine

6. A selection of root vegetables (carrots or parsnips, red or golden beets, rose or purple potatoes, radishes, onions). Note, if you elect to use red beets (as we did) your vegetables will all have a reddish tint. To avoid this use only golden beets.

7. Additional salt and pepper “to taste”. We like kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper.

8. Italian parsley finely chopped for garnish

Instructions:

Roast Root Vegetables

• Preheat oven to 365 degrees.

• Peel parsnips, carrots, and/or beets. Cut all vegetables into large bite sized pieces. Toss vegetables liberally in Renaissance Blend Infused Olive Oil and season with salt and pepper.

• Spread vegetables in a roasting pan and place in the oven. Roast until just barely fork tender, about 30 minutes. Stir vegetables 2-3 times for even roasting.

Cook Chicken Tenders

• Start this step when the root vegetables are almost done.

• Cut chicken breasts in 1/2 the long way and then cut each long piece in 1/2. Please each piece between two pieces of Saran wrap and pound until about 1/4 - 1/2 inch thick.

• Preheat a heavy duty skillet (cast iron or All-Clad or something similar) over medium heat.

• Cover the bottom with a thin layer of Renaissance Blend Infused Olive Oil.

• Dust chicken tenders in seasoned flour and lay in the heavy pan. You can cook in batches. Cook on both sides until crispy and golden brown adding oil as needed. When chicken is cooked place in a warm oven to hold.

Simmer Root Vegetables

• After removing the last batch of chicken, turn down the heat on the pan and add 1/2 cup of broth to deglaze the pan, scraping the sides and bottom of the pan.

• Bring liquid to a low simmer and add 1/2 cup of wine.

• As the sauce begins to thicken, add the root vegetables and simmer on low for about 5 minutes until sauce is viscous and reduced.

Plate

• Place two chicken tenders on a plate with vegetables.

• Drizzle with more Renaissance Blend Infused Olive Oil.

• Top with chopped Italian parsley

Take a bite!

Mix chicken and veggies for the best flavor.

Creamy Tomato Cheese Pie (Renaissance Blend Olive Oil)

Tomato pie is an old Southern recipe used as solution to the glut of tomatoes that result from a good harvest. I found quite a few versions and variations allowing the opportunity to take a classic and make it your own.

What you will need:

1. enfuso Renaissance Blend Olive Oil

2. A baked pie crust. I used a pre-made crust. This recipe does not include the recipe for the crust. Choose your favorite or take a shortcut. You can buy ready to make crusts that are pretty flaky and good.

3. Ripe tomatoes. I think any will do but make sure they have lots of flavor. If you do not grow your own, choose store bought hot house for better flavor. And if you can find a variety of color, it makes for a prettier pie. It will take about 4-5 medium sized tomatoes to make the pie.

4. One large shallot finely diced

5. One 8 oz box of cream cheese - softened

6. Grated sharp cheddar cheese, about 1/2 cup

7. Cooked crumbled bacon bits, about 1/4 cup

8. Salt

9. Fresh ground pepper

10. Diced green onion, one large or two small

Instructions:

Prep the Tomatoes: Pre-salting the tomatoes helps to remove some of the liquid and produces a less mushy pie. Layer a large surface (like a cutting board) with paper towels. Slice the tomatoes and lay them out on the paper towels. Lightly salt them and allow them to sit about 45 minutes.

Pie Crust: If you are making your own or baking a pre-made crust, you can do this while the tomatoes are sitting.

Filling: While tomatoes are sitting, it would be good to put your cream cheese out on the counter so it is softer when you start to make the filling. Once the crust is made and tomatoes are done sitting, you can start the filling and start pre-heating your oven to 365 degrees.

Place the package of cream cheese in a mixing bowl and add 2 tablespoons of enfuso Renaissance Blend Olive Oil. Beat the mixture until creamy and fully blended. Then fold in the diced shallot, cheddar cheese and bacon bits. Note: The shallot, cheddar cheese and bacon bits were all options added from the traditional recipe.

Pie:

• Dab the tomatoes with a paper towel to remove an excess moisture.

• Place a layer of tomatoes on the bottom of the baked pie crust.

• Spread the cream cheese mixture over the tomatoes.

• Top the cream cheese mixture with the remainder of the tomatoes layering them as you like for a decorative look.

• Drizzle on more enfuso Renaissance Blend Olive Oil

• Bake the pie at 365 degrees for 40 minutes.

• Remove the pie and turn up the heat to 385 degrees.

• Top the pie with fresh cracked pepper and the green onion.

• Return the pie to the oven for a few extra minutes to slightly crispen the top layer.

Eat: Allow the pie to cool slightly to firm up. It is delicious warm or cold! It works as a main dish or a yummy side with some Southern ham or sausage.