Eating visually.

Flax seed jar

  Believing food is enhanced by visual presentation, having ceramic artists in the family is a plus. Doesn't a morning cup of coffee feel more comforting, soothing and appealing in a hand thrown ceramic mug fitting your grip perfectly. Every morning my breakfast meal must include some flax seed.  I delight every time I open the home to my flax seed.  This is one of my favorite ceramic pieces and for some reason makes it's healthy  contents much more appealing.
  Tonight I am making orange flavored chicken breast, baked sweet potatoes, and a zucchini melody with garlic and tomatoes for dinner. This is another one of those cast iron fry and bake dinners that I love.  Preheat the oven to 350@.

Vegetable medley

Ceramic butter dish

  Place your sweet potato in the oven to bake. I always like to start my baked potatoes in the microwave and finish in the oven so the skin is nice and crisp. Next prepare the vegetables. A lovely melody of colors always increases desirability of vegetables. Especially in the winter months when produce is not as abundant.  I slice green and yellow zucchini, tomatoes and of course fresh garlic, then set aside while I start the chicken. Lightly flour the chicken breast to hold in the juices and saute with butter in a cast iron skillet until golden brown. When browned on both sides cut a fresh orange or lemon in half and squeeze over the chicken then  place in the oven. Now my sweet potato and chicken are in the oven finishing cooking. Time to cook the vegetables. In another cast iron skillet heat some olive oil and when it is warm stir in the fresh garlic. When the garlic starts to brown arrange the zucchini around the pan bottom. Let this slightly brown and then flip the zucchini and top with the tomatoes, put the vegetables in the oven. By now your chicken and sweet potato should be ready, so turn off the oven to finish the vegetables. To plate my dinner I choose a fine china plate and arrange the food in three visual sections. I enjoy butter and sour cream on my potato and now get to enjoy another ceramic treasure, a butter dish. This holds the butter nicely at room temperature so it in no way chills my steamy hot sweet potato. I enjoy another delicious meal albeit constant visual stimulation in the company of food.