October 2023 – Cooking from Books

After hearing so much about “Marry Me Chicken” both from friends and on the internet, I decided to join the crowd of its admirers and take a stab at it. After reviewing several recipes on line, I opted for the New York Times version, which had been the first one I encountered. Like Ina Garten’s famed “Engagement Chicken,” the dish has garnered a reputation for ensuring a marriage proposal for those who share it. So, if you’re one of those thinking of preparing it to ensure a walk up the aisle, go ahead and give it a whirl. Even if your dinner companion doesn’t pop the question, you’ll nonetheless wind up enjoying a delicious dinner.

I first enjoyed this focaccia thirty years ago while I was staying with friends after I moved back east from California and started to look for a house. Since my search took far longer than expected, I enjoyed many dinners with them and their two children, both of whom often requested what they called “Spinach Pizza” from a local deli, aptly named “The Best of Everything.” We enjoyed one at least every other week. It was a thick rectangular pizza, with a layer of melted mozzarella covered with garlicy sautéed spinach and topped with marinated artichoke hearts and marinated roasted red pepper.