Happy Monday to you! What was the highlight of your weekend?Â
My Mom, Lincoln and I started our Saturday by bundling up then heading off to the downtown farmers’ market. No weekend is complete without a trip! (Baby hoodie from American Apparel – I dress him in it everyday for at least a minute no matter the temperature because I just can’t get over how cute it is – BAH!)
It was a cool and beautiful FALL morning (I’ve come to terms with it – summer is officially over!) and the late-season flowers were really knocking my socks off. I just love mums, and who can resist sunflowers – especially mini ones?
After an hour and a half at the market, we found ourselves nearly produce-less, as we kept running into people we knew. At one point I was having a conversation with three different groups! Lincoln loved all the attention. ; ) (Chest strap loosened for comfort at the market – don’t chide.)
Before the baby reached hangry status, I swooped up a truck-load of kale from one of my favorite vendors to make a double batch of Kale Fried Rice later this week. I’ve been whipping it up a lot lately as Ben and I both adore it, and it’s rare we find a dish that we both like so much. I’m rolling with it as a weeknight staple for as long as I can.
I was also tempted to pick up a few festive pumpkins to decorate the house with, but decided to wait as we still had another stop to make later that afternoon…
Berry Patch Farm!
Annual apple and pumpkin picking at Berry Patch Farm in Nevada, IA is one of my favorite fall activities. The farm is 30 minutes north of home and the drive through the country to get there is nice and relaxing. The fact that we get to pick all the fresh apples we want at a bargain price once we get there is a huge bonus!
There are a lot of orchards in town that have mazes and activities for kids, which I suppose we’ll get into in a few years when Lincoln’s old enough to play around, but the quaint and quiet, family-run-factor of this farm is what we really love. Plus it’s free to get in, which is hard to find anymore.
Ben and I parked then headed out past the pumpkin patch, where we picked out a mini pumpkin for Lincoln, then arrived at our final destination…
Honeycrisp lane!
If you’ve been reading IGE for any length of time then you know that I, like many of you, am next-level obsessed with Honeycrisp apples. Thus, the wide-open rows of packed apple trees just ripe for the picking may have elicited a very excited squeal from this Iowa girl.
I mean!
Ben set off filling our sack with the best HCs he could reach… (Tip:Â if you go to Berry Patch Farm yet this year, head to the Honeycrisp rows that are in the back of the farm. Those are the most ripe/untouched so far!)
While I tended to the little man, trying to convince him that apple picking is so much fun. (FYI – I have an ERGObaby Carrier with an Infant Insert that I use for longer walks/activities like this. The back support for Mom is awesome!)
He did not think apple picking was so much fun! We had a brief meltdown mid-pick, but luckily Dad was able to save the day.
20 minutes later we walked to the front with cough, 10lbs of Honeycrisps and a pumpkin that totaled – get ready for it – $19.95. The Honeycrisps were only $2.25/lb – unbelievable! Get ready for some apple recipes in the next couple of weeks!
Normally we’d head to nearby Ames for lunch at our favorite BBQ/homestyle joint, Hickory Park, but the interstate was absolutely slammed with traffic for Iowa’s biggest football game of the year, University of Iowa vs Iowa State. Instead we headed home to watch it at home with my parents and, I won’t gloat, but the right team won… ; )
Sunday was rainy and blissfully lazy. Ben and Lincoln watched football, while I grocery shopped then made a yummy dinner of Honey and Balsamic-Onions Chicken Skillet in a new saute pan that I am so, so impressed with.
This skillet dinner has a base of balsamic-glazed caramelized onions which get sticky-sweet while cooking with garlic-seasoned chicken breasts. The chicken is removed from the saute pan once cooked through then honey, more balsamic vinegar, and chicken broth is added to make a quick, 1-minute pan sauce. This dish is not that cute, but so good nonetheless.
Start by slicing 1 large sweet onion. This was a vidalia onion and was HUGE! Cut it in half, then slice each half into thin slices.
Heat 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat then add the onions and saute until they’re just starting to turn golden brown, about 20 minutes. You don’t have to babysit these onions, by the way. Unload the dishwasher, pay some bills, etc, while they’re cooking and just give ’em a stir every once in awhile.
Next add 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar. I saw a Barefoot Contessa episode recently where Ina, my hero, roasted sliced red onions tossed with balsamic vinegar as a burger topper, which gave me the idea. The vinegar gave the sweet caramelized onions an even more intense sweet flavor, with just a hint of tang.
Stir the onions so every slice is coated in the vinegar, then scooch ’em to the outside edges of the pan and turn the heat up just slightly. Next add 2 chicken breasts that have been pounded out and cut in half then seasoned with garlic salt and pepper into the center.
Saute the chicken for 4-5 minutes a side, or until cooked through, then remove them to a plate and set aside. I loved how none of the onions stuck to the pan as they got more and more caramelized around the chicken. This nonstick coating is serious biz.
To finish up and make the 1-minute pan sauce, turn the heat to low then add 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1/4 cup chicken broth, and 1-1/2 Tablespoons honey and stir until thickened.
YUM!
Spoon the sauce over the chicken, which I placed over cooked egg noodles, then dig in – and enjoy!
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Honey and Balsamic-Onions Chicken Skillet
Description
Honey and Balsamic-Onions Chicken Skillet is made in just one skillet, and ready in no time!
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large sweet onion, cut in half then sliced
- 3 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar, divided
- 2 chicken breasts, pounded thin then cut in half
- garlic salt
- pepper
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1-1/2 Tablespoons honey
Directions
- Heat extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions then saute until just starting to turn golden brown and caramelized, about 20 minutes. Add 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar and stir to coat then push onions to outside edges of skillet.
- Turn heat up slightly then brush chicken breast halves with extra virgin olive oil and season both sides with garlic salt and pepper. Add to center of skillet then saute for 4-5 minutes a side, or until no longer pink in the center. Stir the onions once or twice along the outside edges while chicken is sauteing. Remove chicken to a plate then set aside.
- Turn heat to low then add remaining 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar, chicken broth, and honey to the skillet. Simmer for 1-2 minutes or until sauce is thickened then spoon over chicken and serve. I plated the chicken and sauce over cooked egg noodles.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
A little sweet, a little tangy, and a little garlicky, this chicken is totally out of the norm. I really, really loved it. Enjoy!
Alyssa 09.16.2013
What a cutie in that hoodie! If you ever want to venture to another orchard, Appleberry Farm in Marshalltown (about an hour from Des Moines) is fantastic! The pick-your-own Honeycrisp are only $1.25/lb right now, which is a crazy good deal. No fee to get in and a cute gift shop to boot!
ALi 09.16.2013
That American Apparel hoodie is awesome! I want one for my little guy too. And, how nice is the Ergo. Love that thing too.
Tiffany 09.16.2013
Yea for honey crisp! My son and I visited the orchard just up the road and got a great big bag of sweet ones this weekend! They are such a great juicy, crunchy and filling snack. App,D&S are the best part of fall! Can’t wait for the recipes?
ColleenB. 09.16.2013
Thank you for sharing your wonderful photos with us along with that wonderful looking recipe as well as the opportunity of winning that great looking skillet.
One thing I miss since moving out of Iowa some years ago was going to the Fort Dodge orchards. I don’t even know if they are still around but always remembering having a good time picking apples. What fond memories. Thank you
ColleenB.
Texas
Heather@ The Soulful Spoon 09.16.2013
Lincoln is so beautiful! I am so glad you’re enjoying fall as much as I am. I just adore seeing pumpkins everywhere this time of year! Great recipe and thanks for the giveaway!
Jess 09.16.2013
What a perfect early fall weekend. Love this, Kristin!
nancy 09.16.2013
I don’t know how to follow on widgets/facebook/twitter, etc. but I hope you get this note. I cannot believe how much your Lincoln has grown — already a little guy with such a personality. You can just see it in his expressions. Lovely little baby – and growing so fast. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! The chicken recipe sound luscious! Thanks for posting such delicious recipes and, of course, Lincoln.
dmc 09.16.2013
so stinkin cute!
Kate 09.16.2013
What kind of balsamic do you use ? There’s too many to pick from and I always end up with awful stuff.
Iowa Girl Eats 09.16.2013
Mine’s actually just from Trader Joe’s!
Jamie @lifelovelemons 09.16.2013
Love all your pictures, and love this recipe! Looks so yummy! And what a cute little guy :)
Vera Lily 09.16.2013
This sounds so delicious, and it looks good too! Can’t wait to try out this recipe!
molly 09.16.2013
If you love honey crisp you have to try Sweetango! You will love them.
Monica C 09.16.2013
I just love following your adventures. Looks like a wonderful day at the orchard
elizabeth 09.16.2013
call me crazy but i’ve tried honeycrisp and wasn’t impressed However not an Iowa honeycrisp. may that was the problem :-) i prefer gala & pink lady. super cute IOWA fam though.
Jen and Emily 09.16.2013
Lincoln is beyond cute! You’re pictures made me want to go apple picking so bad that I think we are going next weekend… it’s one of my favorite fall activities. Where I go apple picking they have they AMAZING Apple Cider Doughnuts… have you ever tried them?! They are to die for!
Meg 09.16.2013
In the picture where Lincoln is smiling he looks just like your hub! What a beautiful baby!!!! Those onions look delish!!!!
Loren 09.16.2013
Those apples look delicious! Looks like a fun family activity!
Tracy 09.16.2013
Lincoln is one adorable baby!!!
OMG honey crisp heaven!
Jamie 09.16.2013
Honecrisps are my second fave after Fujis – I’m so excited apple season is back! And Lincoln is soooo cute in that hoodie. What is it about babies in grown-up clothes? = )
Lisa 09.16.2013
Lincoln looks so adorable!
I need to go pick some Honeycrisps…I have never been to Berry Patch Farm before.
Our little guy was 2 or 3 months old last year when we took him to Center Grove Orchard, which I highly recommend. Okay, so yes, he is too little to really enjoy it, but the baby carrier was perfect. We got some pumpkins, some apples, a pie, and enjoyed the hay ride and activities ourselves! And I LOVE the photos I took of him at all the photo opp places…cherish forever! Not to mention, you should try the “apple nachos”; I guarantee you will recreate them at home all fall!