A good old Italian-American meal..

As I was writing my shopping list today and making my weekly menu, I decided tonight would be the perfect night for an Italian-American classic, Chicken Parmesan with ziti. When Phil and I started dating, I always made him this dinner because he told me it was his favorite and that he especially like the spicy tomato sauce I made to go with it. I haven't made it for a while, but thought with the 30 degree weather a big dish of pasta and crispy chicken smothered in Parmesan cheese was what we needed. Here's my recipe for Chicken Parmesan....

For the Spicy Sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup chopped pancetta
2 garlic cloves
1 pinch oregano
1 pinch hot pepper flake
can plum tomatoes in juice, blended in a food processor
Salt and Pepper

In a medium saucepan heat the oil and then add the pancetta. Let pancetta render its fat, then add the garlic, oregano and hot pepper flake. Let season the oil, about 3 minutes. Pour in the tomato and season with salt and pepper. Let simmer about a half hour. This sauce is really quick, just cooked enough to thicken slightly. Set aside

For the Chicken Cutlets
4 boneless breasts, pounded thin about 1/4 inch thick
1 egg mixed with 2 tablespoons of water (for egg wash)
1 cup plain breadcrumb
1/2 teaspoon flat leaf parsley, chopped
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus 1/2 cup for the cutlets
salt and pepper
olive oil to fry the cutlets
Preheat oven to 35o degrees
Set up your chicken station by putting the egg wash in a wide mouthed bowl and in another wide mouthed bowl place the breadcrumbs, parsley, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper. In a saute pan, heat the oil and begin breading the chicken, by first dunking it in the egg and then the breadcrumbs. Place chicken in the pan and cook on each side about 4 minutes, until golden brown. Place cooked cutlets on a sheet pan with a rack. When all the chicken is cooked, top each one with 1/4 cup of sauce and then evenly sprinkle the parmesan cheese on each. Place in the oven and cook for 15 minutes. Serve along side your favorite pasta tossed with the spicy tomato sauce or with a fresh green salad. Enjoy