Trading Oil for Democracy – Garlic Cheese Baked Chicken

Mechanism of determining and implementing priorities is rather a curious phenomenon of human mind. Honestly, how do you, personally you, decide what provides you with the higher satisfaction and marginal value of the dollar – cheap gasoline or democracy in some country from the middle of nowhere? I mean, it’s so nice (cool, right, glamorous, trendy – choose for yourself) to say that “it’s our duty to care for every human on the planet and to change this world for better”. But when it comes down to everyday choices – please, answer two simple questions. First – who was searching the Amazon and eBay for the cheapest deal possible on that last model of BlackBerry. Second – when government says “Starting from tomorrow on gasoline will cost $2/gallon!” do you, instead of saying “Damn, that’s why I voted for this president”, seriously ask at which cost do those prices come?

Those were rather rhetorical questions. And it is so comforting that there are actually conscious people on the planet. EU government, for example. No kidding, seriously determined pals. If it weren’t for them, we would have probably gone back to medieval times (don’t say that USA are human- and democracy-oriented as well – they were actually spotted caring for its’ national interests every now and then). And now, these very days, they help Iran at cost of their people’s welfare. “You’ve got no democracy left in your country? Don’t come around hoping that we’ll buy your oil!” (I only wonder if they were elected to fight for a better planet or for a healthier national economy). And hell yeah, they are right in doing so! I mean, who cares that the largest consumers of Iranian oil are Italy and Greece, right? Since they’ve got crisis going on, they don’t need any more petroleum – such an interesting adult-like timeout. “See what happens when you fool around? Crisis happens! No more oil for you! Now think about your behavior, and I’ll be busy in my office working on the optimizing innovational strategy of approached to creating better future”.

And speaking of Italy, I’ve got great chicken recipe for you today.

Garlic Cheese Baked Chicken

You will need:

2                           Chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)

¾ cup                    Bread crumbs

5 oz                       Cheddar

5 cloves                 Garlic

5 oz                       Butter

                              Mix of dry Italian herbs

                              Ground black pepper

                              Salt

Method:

1. Cut each breast lengthwise into two equal pieces.

2. Grate cheese.

3. Chop garlic.

4. Place butter into small pan, melt it over medium heat.

5. Add chopped garlic to butter. Cook for 5 minutes occasionally stirring.

6. In a big bowl or shallow dish combine bread crumbs, Cheddar, salt and spices. Mix them well.

7. Dip each chicken breast half into garlic butter to cover one side, then into cheese mixture to coat evenly.

Place on a baking pan.

8. If there is some leftover garlic butter or cheese mixture, sprinkle the on top to cover every breast evenly.

Note: you might have noticed that there are 5 chicken breast halves. It’s not because I try to trick you – sometimes neighbors show up unexpected, for example, when they lose their keys. That’s why I had to throw in one more piece to feed everyone.


9. Preheat oven to 370 F. Put chicken into oven. Bake for 40 minutes until chicken is soft, cheese melts and crust becomes golden-brown.

10. Garlic Cheese Baked Chicken is ready to be served. Bon appétit!

Since I remember that I am not a politics or international relations blogger, I’ve got couple of chicken-related gossips stored for you. There is this nice little village in Italy with nice little tavern in it. The owner is extremely well-hearted charming chap, and his biggest pride is one day in 20st century when Great Mussolini Himself was having dinner at his place right before conquering Europe. He is so proud that he still keeps all utensils from those times. And if you ask him nicely, he’ll let you drink a glass of wine from “That!” cup. Moreover, if you pay him nicely, he’ll sell you “That!” cup, only for you (my husband got one for me, as well as I did). I wonder how much must have Mussolini drunken that evening… Why did I tell you this story? Because Mussolini is rumored to have enjoyed this very chicken that evening. So enjoy your dinner and never forget to draw reasonable conclusions.

Sincerely yours,
Mrs Lovett