Quick Chicken Piccata, Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes, and Oven-Roasted Asparagus

Ingredients

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• cayenne pepper, or to taste
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• all-purpose flour for dredging
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 tablespoon capers, drained

• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup water
• 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut in 1/4-inch slices
• 2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, chopped
• water + cornstarch for thickening                                

Directions

1. Place chicken breasts between 2 layers of plastic wrap and pound to about 1/2-inch thick.
2. Season both sides of chicken breasts with cayenne, salt, and black pepper; dredge lightly in flour and shake off any excess.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken in the pan, reduce heat to medium, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side; remove to a plate.
4. Cook capers in reserved oil, smashing them lightly to release brine, until warmed though, about 30 seconds.
5. Pour white wine into skillet. Scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Cook until reduced by half, about 2 minutes.
6. Stir lemon juice, water, and butter into the reduced wine mixture; cook and stir continuously to form a thick sauce, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low and stir parsley through the sauce.
7. Return chicken breasts to the pan cook until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve with sauce spooned over the top.

Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

• 5 pounds red potatoes, cut into chunks
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic, or to taste
• 3 cubes chicken bouillon (I use Better than Boullion) 
• 1 (8 ounce) container light sour cream

• 1 (8 ounce) package light cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. In a large pot of lightly salted boiling water, cook the potatoes, garlic, and bouillon until potatoes are tender but firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, reserving water. In a bowl, mash potatoes with sour cream and cream cheese, adding reserved water as needed to attain desired consistency.
2. Transfer the potato mixture to a slow cooker, cover, and cook on Low for 2 to 3 hours. Just before serving, stir in butter and season with salt and pepper to taste

Oven-Roasted Asparagus

Ingredients

• 1 bunch thin asparagus spears, trimmed
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese                            
• 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)

• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
2. Place the asparagus into a mixing bowl, and drizzle with the olive oil. Toss to coat the spears, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper. Arrange the asparagus onto a baking sheet in a single layer.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until just tender, 12 to 15 minutes depending on thickness. Sprinkle with lemon juice just before serving.