It even won over the youths.
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**Pasta Piccata with Chicken: A Fast and Tasty Treat**

Pasta Piccata with Chicken offers a delicious variation on the traditional Chicken Piccata, showcasing a light and flavorful pasta dish in a piccata sauce crafted from butter, garlic, lemon, and capers. This recipe is ideal for hectic weeknights, providing a swift and simple meal that’s bursting with taste.

**Ingredients:**

– 8 ounces pasta (gluten-free for gluten-free)
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 tablespoon butter
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, diced
– 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or oregano)
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 small onion, chopped (optional)
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 pinch red pepper flakes
– 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (gluten-free for gluten-free) (optional)
– 2 cups chicken broth
– 2 tablespoons lemon juice
– 1 teaspoon lemon zest
– 2 tablespoons capers
– 1 tablespoon butter
– 1 tablespoon parsley, minced
– Salt and pepper to taste

**Directions:**

1. Begin boiling the pasta as instructed on the package.
2. In the meantime, heat the oil and melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Incorporate the chicken, seasoned with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, along with the onion. Sauté until the chicken turns golden brown, approximately 10 minutes.
3. Stir in the garlic, red pepper flakes, and butter, cooking until fragrant, about one minute.
4. Add the flour, stirring quickly and cooking for another minute.
5. Mix in the broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, and capers. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
6. Stir in the butter and parsley, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Combine with the cooked and drained pasta and savor!

**Options:**

– Mix in 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced, with the capers.
– Incorporate 1 cup artichoke hearts, quartered, with the capers.
– Fold in 2 cups baby spinach towards the end, mixing it into the sauce until wilted.
– Add 1/2 cup heavy/whipping cream (or milk, or half and half) at the end, blending it into the sauce.
– Sprinkle in 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano (parmesan cheese) near the end, stirring it into the sauce until melted.

**Nutrition Facts:**

– Calories: 437
– Fat: 14g (Saturated 5g, Trans 0)
– Cholesterol: 101mg
– Sodium: 329mg
– Carbs: 52g (Fiber 2g, Sugars 4g)
– Protein: 36g

This Pasta Piccata with Chicken is bound to impress with its deep flavors and swift prep time, making it a perfect option for a filling meal.

# This Chicken Shawarma is Going to Astonish You

Shawarma is a cherished meal that pairs crispy, charred spiced meat enveloped in a soft pita, alongside fresh veggies like lettuce, succulent tomatoes, and crunchy cucumbers. It’s an adaptable dish that can be savored any time of day, making it a favored selection for nocturnal hunger or a quick meal. The delightful tastes of shawarma have established it as a cornerstone in street food customs, particularly in the Middle East.

## How to Prepare Shawarma

Shawarma can be made using a variety of meats, including lamb, beef, chicken, or turkey. In this guide, we’ll concentrate on chicken thighs.

### Ingredients
– **Chicken Thighs**: 2 lbs, boneless and skinless
– **Olive Oil**: 3 tbsp, extra virgin
– **Lemon Juice**: From 1/2 lemon

#### Shawarma Spice Blend
– **Ground Cumin**: 2 tsp
– **Smoked Paprika**: 2 tsp
– **Garlic Powder**: 2 tsp
– **Ground Coriander**: 1 tsp
– **Ground Cardamom**: 1 tsp
– **Ground Ginger**: 1 tsp
– **Ground Turmeric**: 1/2 tsp
– **Aleppo Pepper**: 1/2 tsp (optional)
– **Ground Cinnamon**: 1/4 tsp
– **Ground Cloves**: 1/4 tsp

#### Shawarma Dressing
– **Greek Yogurt**: 3/4 cup
– **Garlic**: 4 cloves, crushed
– **Tahini**: 2 tbsp
– **Lemon Juice**: 2 tbsp
– **Salt and Pepper**: To taste

#### Assembly
– **Romaine Lettuce**: 2 cups
– **Tomato**: 1 cup, cubed
– **Cucumber**: 1, sliced
– **Red Onion**: 1/2, sliced (optionally pickled)
– **Fresh Pita**: 4-8 pieces

### Directions
1. **Prepare the Spice Blend**: In a small bowl, mix together cumin, paprika, garlic powder, coriander, cardamom, ginger, turmeric, Aleppo pepper, cinnamon, and cloves.
2. **Marinate the Chicken**: In a bowl, combine the spice mixture with olive oil and lemon juice. Add the chicken thighs, season with salt and pepper, and let marinate for a minimum of 2 hours.
3. **Make the Dressing**: While the chicken is marinating, combine yogurt, crushed garlic, tahini, and lemon juice in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper, cover, and chill in the refrigerator.
4. **Cook the Chicken**: Heat a cast iron or heavy-bottomed frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side until caramelized and fully cooked.
5. **Serve**: Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces. Present on a platter with shawarma dressing, salad, and pita, or fill the chicken into pita with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions. Optionally, char the sliced chicken in the pan for extra flavor before serving.

### What is Shawarma?
Shawarma is a classic Middle Eastern delight that entails marinating thin slices of meat, stacking them in a cone on a vertical rotisserie, and grilling them. The word “shawarma” means “turning,” representing the cooking technique. It is commonly offered as an economical street food, usually accompanied by garlic paste, pita bread, and fries.

### Tips for Crafting Shawarma
– **Spice Substitutes**: If you are missing some spices, think about getting a pre-made shawarma spice mix. While it may not taste exactly the same, it will still produce a delicious outcome.
– **No Vertical Rotisserie Necessary**: You can achieve shawarma flavors without a spit. Marinate your meat thoroughly and consider charring it in a pan for extra richness.

### Cooking Techniques
– **Stovetop**: Cook chicken in a cast iron pan for 3-4 minutes on each side.
– **Oven**: Bake at 425°F for 20-30 minutes, turning midway.
– **Air Fryer**: Air fry at 360°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway.
– **Grill**: Grill on medium-high for 3-4 minutes on each side.

### Serving Suggestions
Present shawarma inside a pita or on a plate with rice and salad. Don’t forget the dressing, as it elevates the dish’s overall flavor.

### Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)
– **Calories**: 641
– **Fat**: 28.4g (44% DV)
– **Cholesterol**

There’s a catch.
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**Blood Orange Juice: A Lively Variation on Classic Citrus**

Blood orange juice presents a charming and visually captivating substitute for conventional orange juice, delivering a distinct twist to drinks with its vivid red shade. This lively juice not only boosts the visual allure of beverages but also offers a comparable citrus flavor profile to that of freshly squeezed orange juice. Whether you prefer the rich red of blood orange juice or the traditional orange hue, both choices provide a refreshing and zesty taste that enhances a variety of cocktails and mocktails.

**Inventive Rim Ideas for Your Beverages**

Enhance your drink presentation with inventive rim ideas that contribute both flavor and style. For a tangy and savory edge, think about using margarita salt infused with orange and lime zest. This mix amplifies the citrus flavors of your drink while delivering a classic margarita sensation. For those who appreciate a bit of heat, a Tajin rim supplies a robust and tangy punch that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of blood orange juice. Alternatively, superfine sugar can be applied for rimming to highlight the sweet flavors in amaretto-based cocktails, creating a delightful contrast with the citrusy background.

**Scaling Up with a Pitcher Variation**

Planning a gathering or looking to make drinks ahead of time? The pitcher variation is an efficient way to increase your favorite blood orange juice cocktails. To accomplish this, multiply all ingredients by eight, effectively converting ounces to cups. This technique enables you to create a larger batch while preserving the ideal flavor balance. Once combined, chill the pitcher until you are ready to serve. When it’s time, add three handfuls of ice to the pitcher and stir well. For a customized touch, rim the edges of individual glasses before pouring about 5 ounces of the prepared drink into each glass. This method guarantees that every guest enjoys a perfectly chilled and elegantly presented beverage.