When the Farmers Hand You Italian Arugula...
Iceberg Lettuce is so prevalent when it comes to sandwiches and burgers that it has basically become standard issue. However, it really doesn't bring that much to the table, so to speak, besides some nutrition value. Arugula, on the other hand, is not only just as healthy but also adds much more flavor to your food. Italian Arugula in particular is especially peppery and strong in taste; once you try it you'll never have a sandwich or burger without it, I know I won't! Though it can sometimes be difficult to find Arugula at the grocery store, it is often readily available at the Farmer's Market. My favorite way to have Arugula is on a tasty chicken breast sandwich.
One of the great things about the Farmer's Market is you can learn invaluable information about your food straight from the experts: the people that grow them. One such tip I learned was the best way to store Arugula and other leafy greens like cilantro. The trick is to store them in a bag with dry paper towels. I had always heard that you should use a wet paper towel, but this will actually cause the greens to soak up bacteria and wilt sooner. Using a dry paper towel will help your greens stay fresh and crisp twice as long.
For the Chicken:
3-4 Frozen Chicken Breasts
Season both sides with:
Italian Seasoning
Salt
Pepper
Ground Red Chipotle
Pepper Jack Cheese, Sliced
On a baking sheet drizzled with olive oil, bake the seasoned chicken at 375 for 20-25 minutes per side. In the last few minutes of baking, add the slices of pepper jack cheese on top to melt. Let chicken cool about 5 minutes before serving.
For the Bread:
1 Seeded Baguette, cut into sandwich sized portions. (You could also use ciabatta rolls.)
3-4 Tbsp. Butter
1 Shallot, finely diced
2-3 Cloves Garlic, grated
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Cook 3-5 minutes or until the mixture begins to brown. Remove the shallots and garlic from the pan and reserve for adding to the finished sandwich, Use the remaining butter to pan toast the inside of the bread until crisp and golden. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
For the Toppings:
1-2 Cups Italian Arugula, rinsed and lower stems removed. Pat dry of moisture.
1 Cup Cherry Tomatoes, cut in half and seasoned with salt.
To Build the Sandwich:
On the bottom slice of bread, add the seasoned tomato slices and the reserved garlic and shallots. Next add the chicken breast. Then the Italian Arugula and top bun.
If you are trying something new on your sandwich, why not try something new with your cinema as well? Many people dismiss silent movies as too old or awkward to enjoy, but there are countless wonderful silent movies that they are missing out on. There was no bigger silent film star than Charlie Chaplin and every one of his movies is worth watching. 1921's The Kid is Chaplin's first full length movie and a great starting point when venturing into silent movies. Despite being 96 years old, The Kid will make you laugh as you enjoy your chicken sandwiches! -Z
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