Jamie's Violent Video Chicken

Browsing for ideas on the Interwebs, I came across a fun little video on the NY Times Dining and Wine website of Jamie Oliver bashing the hell out of a chicken breast with the bottom of a frying pan.

Being an Oliver fan and intrigued by his violent attitude toward the seemingly blameless breast, I watched it twice and decided the recipe looked easy enough to try, bashing and all.

Cora ran for cover at the first WHUMP of the frying pan so My Beloved comforted her while I whaled away on the chicken. I can't find a link for the recipe any longer, but here's what Jamie did:

Bashed Chicken Parmesan (My title, not his)

Sprinkle a chicken breast with fresh, chopped rosemary, thyme and s&p to taste. Sprinkle with lemon zest to taste. Cover the breast with a generous handful of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, then lay a thin slice of prosciutto or Parma ham over it. Wrap the dressed breast between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound it with the bottom of a frying pan (I suppose you could use a meat mallet, but where's the fun in that?) until it is about 1/2 inch thick. This procedure sticks the cheese and herbs to the meat as well as flattening the breast so it cooks evenly.

Saute in olive oil for just a few minutes per side to keep it moist, drizzle with balsamic vinegar or fresh lemon juice and serve. A good-sized breast will feed two people.

This would be a good meal to make when you've had a frustrating day at work and a snarly commute. Bashing the chicken could save your sanity and the resulting delicious flavors will restore your sense of well-being.