Honey-Roasted Chicken w/Herbs de Provence Gravy

Serves 4

Honey and the herbs found in this French Mediterranean blend make for an ideal partnering. Add in fresh, tender chicken breasts, coat them in the silky, herbaceous, and subtly sweet gravy, and be prepared to be smitten.

2 whole chicken legs
2 bone-in split chicken breasts
4 TB. butter, melted
3 TB. honey
2 tsp. sea salt
2 tsp. Herbs de Provence
Several grinds of black pepper
1 cup white wine
2 TB. all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chicken stock

1. preheat oven to 420 degrees
2. rinse chicken under cold running water. pat dry.
3. whisk the melted butter, honey, sea salt, Herbs de Provence, and black pepper in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
4. place chicken pieces in a large cast-iron skillet. pour sauce over the chicken, and toss with tongs to coat.
5. leave chicken skin side up. pour white wine into the pan.
6. place skillet in oven. cook for 45 minutes.
7. remove pan from oven. using tongs, transfer the chicken onto a separate plate.
8. return skillet to stovetop. cook remaining juices over medium high heat for 3 minutes until some of the liquid is cooked off.
9. add flour to the skillet; stir constantly for 1 minute.
10. add the chicken stock; stir constantly for a couple minutes until it reaches a thickened gravy-like consistency.
11. Drizzle gravy over the reserved chicken pieces and serve.

Today I am thinking of Barcelona

From "The Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria", often simply referred to as La Boqueria to Espai Sucre which serves you the most gastronomical experience for a sweet tooth lover, I am remembering my past travels to Spain. Spaniards are food lovers! Experience this for yourselves. Every corner is filled with sidewalk cafes and restaurants and this is the place where they like to gather. Young and old alike enjoy conversation and spirits until the wee hours of the evening.

Some day I hope to go back to this place where I learned not just what I love about Catalan and it's many flavors, but also because it was a time when I was experimenting with who I was. I could not imagine a time and place of any other for this experience.

Today I am remembering it: beaches, boquerones, boats, La Sagrada Familia, Paseo de Gracia, Desigual, tapas, tapas, tapas..............

I have not deciphered yet what changed in me or how I wanted to change, but somehow it did. It was a type of redemption or some sort of spiritual awakening. I was not there just to explore the sights, but it was a place where I believe that only God had could have sent me. Wow!!! Did I really say that!!! I am at least going to fake sleepiness and continue this tomorrow.....Good night!!