CELEBRATING FATHER’S DAY!
Honoring your father on Father’s Day doesn’t require his physical presence. I feel what is more important is just the act of doing it. I am very grateful to have had a father who was such a strong role model in my life. Everything he did was driven by his commitment to provide and care for the family he loved.
My father passed away in 2005 and Brion’s in 2011. Both our dads loved to talk and tell stories from their lives. We often wish we could retrace that time and hear their voices again. It seems you never fully appreciate your parents until they are no longer on this earth. It is so important to appreciate every hour they are in your life.
Brion & I eat a lot of chicken, so I’m always interested in another way of serving it. This recipe gives you not only crispy chicken but a flavorful tomato bacon relish to compliment it.
If you’re a bacon lover, it probably goes without saying, but bacon goes well with everything. Tomato bacon relish sounds like it would be savory, but it’s actually pretty sweet, just like other fruit jams! However, it does have a lot more complexity thanks to the bacon and spices.
The concept may sound strange, but it tastes like caramelized tomatoes–richer, sweeter, and more mellow than their fresh counterparts, balanced by the savory and smoky flavors of the bacon and smoked paprika. A little vinegar and mustard add a subtle tang, and you’ll get a hint of heat at the end from red pepper flakes.
It’s perfect spread on toast, in an omelet or a grilled cheese sandwich, on roasted veggies, next to cheese and crackers on a charcuterie board, or spread over cream cheese or brie for a party appetizer, etc. etc.
My special meal in honor of our dad’s on this Father’s Day is baked chicken tenders with bacon tomato relish.
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- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 Tbsp PLUS 1 tsp fresh thyme, minced, divided
- 1/2 tsp salt, divided
- 1/2 tsp pepper, divided
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 454 gm chicken tenders
- 250 gm bacon, diced
- 1/4 cup onion, diced fine
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups ripe tomatoes, cored & chopped
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp veg salt or to taste
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- pinch of red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp ground mustard
Ingredients
Chicken
Bacon Tomato Relish
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- Preheat oven to 425 F.
- In a shallow bowl, mix bread crumbs, 2 Tbsp thyme & 1/4 tsp each salt & pepper. Place flour & egg in separate shallow bowls. Dip chicken in flour; shake off excess. Dip in egg, then in crumb mixture, patting to help coating adhere. Place chicken on a greased rack in a 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Bake about 15 minutes or until no pink remains.
- In a skillet, over medium high heat, fry bacon until crispy. Remove bacon to plate. Drain all but 1 Tbsp bacon drippings.
- In the same skillet, sauté onions in reserved bacon drippings until onion starts to soften, about 4 minutes. Add garlic during last minute of sautéing.
- Add bacon & all remaining ingredients; stir to combine. Increase heat & bring mixture to a boil.
- Decrease heat & simmer, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes are tender.
- Serve over baked chicken tenders.