I hate it when you think you have the ingredients to make something, but you really don't. The plan was to make Chicken Marsala for dinner, but we didn't have any Marsala wine. So I figured I would just run down to the store and get some, but this turned out not to be as easy as I thought it would be. When I got to the store where it should have been on the shelf was empty. So I asked the clerk and he told me that a restaurant had come in and bought all they had. So I went to another store and again the same story. I went to another store and they didn't even carry Marsala wine. Now it is about one hour past dinner time and I still have no Marsala wine.
When I got home I went to work preparing dinner. I went through the cabinets and found a small bottle of cognac and there was plenty of cream in the fridge. Here is what I came up with.
Chicken Linguine with Cognac Mushroom Cream Sauce
4 chicken breast halfs, boneless and skinless
1 lb crimini muchrooms, sliced
1 cup cognac
2 cups cream
2 garlic cloves, chopped
4 tbs fresh sage, chopped
2 tbs butter
2 tbs olive oil
flour, for dredging chicken
salt and pepper
Lightly pound the chicken breasts and season them with salt and pepper. Then dredge them in flour. In a large skillet over a medium flame add the butter and olive. When the butter is melted and the pan is hot brown the chicken breasts on both sides.
When the chicken is browned remove the chicken from the pan and set aside. Add the mushrooms, garlic, and sage to the pan and saute until the mushrooms are soft about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Then add the cognac to the pan and scrap up any of the brown bits on the bottom of the pan. If you are cooking on a gas burner turn the burner off while adding the alcohol for saftey. Cook the cognac until it has recuced by half. Then add the cream and bring to a simmer. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Return the chicken to the pan and allow to simmer for 10 minutes.
This was a very delicious meal. I'm actually glad I couldn't find any Marsala. I just wish I wouldn't have driven around for an hour looking for it.
42 comments:
I am willing to leave Mr. Martha if you will marry me. ;)
Don't you love those lucky accidents;) This sounds awesome....I seriously need you to cook for me, you are way talented;)
This looks VERY impressive. I'm sure it's delicious!
This happen to me all the time but I normally would give up after the 2nd shop. you dish looks fantastic and it is most satisfying when your plan B turns out this good!
Bunny,
I am sorry, I've already promised Bob if I get a divorce.
Steven,
Thanks bud
Michael,
It was delicious!
3 hungry tummies,
Plan b actually turned out to be better than plan a
Chicken, mushrooms, pasta....sage...ooooh my!!
I thats crazy about the wine being sold out but you came up with a wonderful recipe looks yummy
Rebecca
This is very smart! Looks yum!
Don't do this to me! I always happen to come to your page when I'm hungry and lunch is only due in approx. 4 hours! Looks delicious, my friend!
Fantastic and delicious, indeed!
Dude, should of knocked on my door!... hey, I needed an idea for dinner, thanx!.
Forget Marsala! Cognac makes it an spectacular meal~ Julia Child would have been proud!
YUM!
What about a small "foodie" fling?? lol
BTW, is that an All-Clad skillet? You are such the tease!
And I have some cognac and did not know what to do with it. Now I do.
Mmmmm....so delicious looking and sounding. Cognac - think I'm gonna have to go out and get some!
Yes, too bad youd rove around looking for marsala wine. teh cognac a little cream was a perfect creative solution. Your dish looks delicious.
Love that story. I FEEL you!
My biggest problem is herbs, always going back to the store for herbs.
ah this happens to me pretty much most of the time! i always tend to think that i have every ingredient and that i bought that essential ingredient. turns out that i forgot!
your plan B turned out perfect! very good and delicious! too bad you are half way around the world..i would loved of dropped by to have dinner with you lols
Chicken linguine with cognac mushroom cream sauce!!! Omg! Chicken -check! Linguine pasta - check! Cognac - check! Mushrooms - check! Cream sauce - check!! All of my favorite things!! In one meal!! Omg!
If you ever feel like being someone's personal chef, please consider me once I ahve enough money to afford one LOL
Chicken... Linguine... Cognac... Mushrooms... Cream sauce... *is drooling*
OH.MY.GOODNESS!!!Mouth started watering as soon as I saw the pictures. We have some Cognac, and I will be making this for hubby this weekend. Bravo!!
Danielle,
It was very delicious.
Chow and chatter,
I know...how was every store out.
Kenny,
Thanks!
Dieter,
Never look at this site when you are hungry...always have a snack first.
lehuutai,
Indeed!
Chrissy,
I know I wish I had a neighbor that I thought would have had it.
Taste of Beirut,
It was a spectacular meal full of calories and worth every one of them.
Miss Catlin,
Thanks!
Bunny,
Sure...I'm easy...
yes, It is All-Clad
Banu,
Yes, go get some...I love cognac.
Velva,
Thanks!
Lady Ren,
I have the exact opposite problem with herbs...because I buy to many...the fresh one wither up...and there are so many dried ones in the cabinet that I can never find what I need.
Ann,
I wish we were neighbors...then we could taste each others cooking.
Julia,
drooling is the best compliment you could give
Penny,
I'm sure you and your hubby will love it.
I made this tonight for dinner....super yummy!!
wow. guess I have to change my user name on here, certainly wouldn't want the 'Penny's' to get confused! ;-)
Bill,
I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
VineyardRoad AKA Penny,
I've got two pennies I feel rich...don't worry I will not get you two confused.
Cognac sounds a good idea. I am drunk already. ;p
Look at you gettin all fancy with the cognac! I am definitely trying this one out (as soon as I can get my hands on some cognac -- my county is dry!!!). I'm thinking I'm going to caramelize the mushrooms and add some cinnamon (you know, my most favorite of ingredients, lol). I feel like this recipe is very rich and delicious. Think I could cut some of the cream and use evap milk or something?
this is so so very delicious indeed!yummy!
hi
just came across your blog it is exteremly good.very nice collections
Nice job of improvising! We do it so often in cooking. I think the cognac sounds better anyway!
This looks fantastic!!
Tiger fish,
Thanks!
Jovan,
I would not use evaporated milk, but you might try using half cream and half half-and-half.
Preeti Kashyap,
Thanks, it was delicious.
Subhasini,
Thanks!
Lyndsey,
Thanks, I think the cognac was better too.
Mhel,
Thanks!
Wow!That looks amazing!The sauce sounds rich and delicious!
Just found your blog. This dish looks divine. I look forward to reading all the deliciousness to come. Being on a diet has never been harder!
Nice job on the substitution - I think it sounds like such an incredible meal!
Erica,
Thanks, It was rich and so delicious. I may have gained a couple pounds.
Logan,
Thanks! I promise my next post will be very diet friendly...just for you.
Kerstin,
Thanks!
hey come on don ot dare comaring cognac with marsala :: you were right !! cheers from Cognacland!!pierre
Another great looking recipe, welove chicken at our house and I am always looking for new and yummy recipes! P.S I always "think" I have everything on hand for a recipe too... Great improvisation!!
Pierre,
I love cognac!
Sharon,
We eat lots of chicken around here too...I hope you give it a try...feel free to improvise...you might come up with something even better.
Cognac and mushrooms are a classic combination for a reason! Delicious. I found your blog through Zook the Cook and am now a follower. Can't wait to see what you cook up next. Cheers!
Danielle,
They are a great combination...I will have to thank Sook for sending you my way.
One of the marks of a great cook is the ability to step back and punt when the ingredients list isn't cooperating. Hmmm. I think that makes you a great cook. And from the posts I've read thus far, I think I'm right.
Christine,
Thanks!
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