Man-Pleasing Chicken

Andy's new "Man Room"

After having dated for two years, Andy and I took the plunge in 2012 and moved in together.  In addition to saving money (from having two places), saving gas (from driving back and forth to spend time at each others' places), and time, we felt we were ready to take the next step in our relationship.  After my throat/sinus surgeries in February of 2012, Andy had practically been living at my house anyway, so why not make it "our" house?

Andy's new Man Room- I prefer to call it the "Sports Room"

Living with a boy takes some time to adjust.  When my friend, Keri, married her husband, Bradley, she had a "Things Every Bride Needs" shower.  I wrote Keri a note that said I didn't know what every bride needed, but I had learned a thing or two about what every woman living with a man needed.

1. Febreeze Room Deodorizer: cause living with a boy can be stinky.
2. Positive Affirmations (a dish towel from Francesa's that says, "When I count my blessings, I count you twice"): cause sometimes we girls forget to look on the bright side of things.
3. Wine Opener: cause nothing is more frustrating than not having one when you really need want a glass of wine.

Andy's Sports Room

We moved Andy in the Summer of 2012.  It was a muggy summer day, but we were able to get most of Andy's things over in a day or so.  He sold a lot of the big furniture items on Craig's List or to friends, so there wasn't a ton to move.  Since I have been cooking for two for a while now, I figured "Man Pleasing Chicken" was a good place to start for the new man in my home.  I saw the recipe on Pinterest, and it sounded like an interesting title, so I gave it a go.  It was really juice & moist, and the rosemary was picked from from our garden.

Andy's Sports Room

I'm happy to report that Andy and I have been successful roommates for a few months now.  I was quick to hang up his super cool Texas map in the living room and put a "J" on the wall in replace of my "K"s.  Andy wanted to turn the front office room into a "man room," which I agreed to on two conditions: 1) We would call it the "sports room" and not "man cave" and 2) I could turn the closet in said "sports room" into a craft closet.  Fine by Andy- that just means less glitter & wreath bobbles laying around without a place to be stored. 

My craft closet in the sports room

As it turns out, living together is pretty great.  He makes fabulous baked potatoes to go with my Katherine in the Kitchen meals, and he doesn't mind sweeping or doing yard work.  I think I'll keep him around ;-)

Man-Pleasing Chicken

Servings: 2

Man-Pleasing Chicken and Rosemary Red Potatoes

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp fresh rosemary (I have PLENTY if you want some!)

1. Put the chicken thighs into the oven, and let them bake for 40 minutes at 450° 
2. Baste the tops of the chicken with more sauce half way through. 
3. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. 
4. Plate the chicken, making sure to spoon some extra sauce over the top. 
5. Sprinkle some fresh rosemary on top.

Keep on cookin'!

-Katherine