It’s James Dean’s birthday today, so I wanted to cook something in his honour, from the brilliant Recipes For Rebels cookbook by Greg Swenson.  Sooooooo many recipes from Jimmy’s family, co-stars and favourite eateries to choose from though….

recipes for rebels

Until Greg’s book came out, I didn’t have a recipe for Rod Steiger, Greg has found two.  This one, and a pumpkin pie one.  Roll on Halloweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen!

Rod Steiger as Al Capone in 1959

I really liked Rod’s chicken recipe, it was super tasty and easy to pull together.  So here we go…  I followed the recipe exactly, except for the frozen orange concentrate.  We can’t get such a thing here in the UK, which grieves me, as I really want to try Yinzerella’s Fox Mulder’s Motel Cocktail

Rod Steiger’s Baked Chicken Grand Marnier

2 whole chicken breasts

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 teaspoon salt [this seemed a lot to me, I used slightly less]

1/4 teaspoon paprika (or white pepper to taste)

1 cup minced white onion

1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange rind

1/4 cup evaporated milk

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon frozen orange concentrate

1 egg yolk

1 tablespoon Grand Marnier (or Cointreau)

Cut chicken breasts in halves.  Spray vegetable oil lightly on Teflon-coated skillet.  Brown chicken breasts quickly on both sides, remove from heat.

Lightly grease bottom of oven-proof casserole.  Cover with half the miced onion, top with chicken breasts.  Season breasts with salt and paprika (or white pepepr).  Top with remaning onions,

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cover, cook in preheated 350 F [180 C / gas mark 4] oven for about 40 minutes.

Combine orange rind, milk, lemon juice, orange concentrate, beaten egg yolk and Grand Marnier (or Cointreau).  Spread over chicken.  Cook uncovered 15 minutes longer (or under broiler with flame set low to brown and crispen).  Serve with crisp green salad with diet Roquefort dressing.  Serve with good bottle of Beaujolais.  Each serving has about 260 calories.

Here’s the finished article, with some garlic smashed potatoes, mmmmmm!

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Zip over to Greg’s website for a FABULOUS post all about Schwab’s Pharmacy for James Dean’s Birthday

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I’m putting the Shwab’s Pharmacy’s Don’t Care Sundae on my to do list STAT, that looks fab Greg!

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