Ingredients for Parmesan Crusted Chicken:

• 1 1/2 lb chicken breast, (2 large), patted dry with paper towels
• 1 Tbsp olive oil , to sautee
• 1 Tbsp parsley, to garnish (optional)
• 1/2 lemon, sliced for garnish (optional)

For the Egg Mixture:

• 2 large eggs
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

For the Parmesan Breading Mixture:

• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour

Ingredients for Lemon Butter Sauce:

• 8 Tbsp butter
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

• Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise. Lightly beat with a meat mallet until even in thickness.
• In a bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the egg mixture. In another bowl, combine the ingredients for the parmesan mixture. Dip chicken into the egg mixture, then dredge chicken in the parmesan mixture. Allow any excess ingredients to fall off from each bowl.
• In a large skillet, heat enough oil to cover the bottom of a skillet. Once hot, add the chicken and cook 4-5 minutes per side, or until crispy, golden and cooked through to 165˚F. Reduce the heat if chicken browns too quickly.
• In a separate saucepan, melt butter and garlic, cook until fragrant. Add the chicken broth, lemon juice and pepper. Allow the sauce to cook for about 2 minutes. Pour the sauce over the cooked chicken, turning to coat. Garnish with lemon slices and finely chopped parsley if desired, enjoy!

Que Si! Priorat Pairing: Steak au Poivre

Adapted from Once Upon a Chef | Serves 4

Ingredients:

• Four 6- to 8-ounce filet mignons
• 1 heaping teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon whole peppercorns
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup finely chopped shallots, from 1 medium shallot
• 1/2 cup Cognac or other brandy
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Instructions:

• Pat the steaks dry and, if they are thick, gently press them down so that they are about 1-1/2 inches thick. Season the steaks all over with the salt.
• Seal the peppercorns inside a small plastic bag and place on a cutting board. Using a meat mallet or the bottom of a frying pan, pound the peppercorns until they are coarsely crushed. Press the crushed pepper evenly onto both sides of the steaks.
• In a large stainless steel or cast iron skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot and shimmering, add the steaks and cook about 4 minutes on each side, turning only once, for medium-rare (or about 5 minutes per side for medium). Transfer the steaks to a plate and tent with foil.

• Pour off the excess fat from the pan but do not wipe clean. Lower the heat to medium-low and add the butter and shallots. Cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon and scraping up the brown bits, until the shallots are golden brown and softened, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Carefully add the Cognac (it may ignite) and boil, again stirring to scrape up the brown bits, until the liquid is reduced to a glaze and mostly absorbed by the shallots, a few minutes. Add the cream and mustard and gently boil until thickened, about 3 minutes. Stir in any meat juices that accumulated on the plate. Transfer the steaks to plates and spoon the sauce over top.

Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Merlot Pairing: Pan-Seared Duck Breast With Blueberry Sauce

Adapted from Allrecipes | Serves 4

• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
• 1 ½ tablespoons dried thyme leaves
• 1 tablespoon crushed dried rosemary
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 potatoes, cubed
• 2 pints fresh or frozen blueberries
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup apple juice
• ½ cup white sugar
• 1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
• 3 slices pancetta or bacon, cut into thin strips
• 6 shallots, thinly sliced
• ½ cup sliced shiitake mushrooms
• 2 pounds bok choy, sliced
• 4 (8 ounce) boneless duck breast halves
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). In a small bowl mix together the salt, ground black pepper, thyme, and rosemary; set aside. This will be your spice blend for seasoning the roasted potatoes and the duck breasts.

• Place cubed potatoes into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle 2 tablespoons of your spice blend over the top of the potatoes. Toss the potatoes in the pan until they are evenly coated with oil and seasonings. Spread into a single layer across the bottom of the baking dish and bake for 35 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven.
• While the potatoes are roasting, stir together the blueberries, water, apple juice, sugar, and jalapeno in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low, and simmer until the mixture has reduced to the consistency of syrup, about 10 minutes.

• Cook the pancetta in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove the pancetta to drain on a paper towel, leaving the drippings in the skillet. Add the shallots and the mushrooms to the hot skillet; stir and cook them until soft and just beginning to brown. Remove the shallots and mushrooms and set aside. Increase heat to medium-high and place the bok choy in the hot skillet. Stir and cook the bok choy until the leaves are wilted and the white stalk pieces are tender, about 5 minutes. Return the shallots, mushrooms, and pancetta to the skillet, turn off the heat and set aside.
• Rinse the duck breast halves and pat dry. Rub the remaining spice blend onto both sides of the duck breasts. Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat, when the pan is hot put in the vegetable oil and butter. Immediately place the duck breasts in the pan, skin and fat side down. Do not move the duck breasts until the skin is deep brown, about 5 minutes. Turn the breasts and cook until the internal temperature of the thickest part is 160 degrees F (71 degrees C) for well done. Remove the duck from the pan and place on a plate, covered with foil to rest for 5 minutes. While the duck is resting, place the skillet with the bok choy mixture onto a burner over medium heat to warm through.
• Slice each duck breast diagonally into 1/2 inch strips. Divide the bok choy mixture among four plates and drizzle each serving with 1/2 tablespoon of aged balsamic vinegar. Arrange the sliced duck breasts on top of the bok choy mixture; ladle on blueberry sauce. Serve with oven-roasted potatoes on the side.