Chicken Laurentana | My Thoughts from an Italian Wedding

“Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty” is one of my favorite quotes by Adair Lara. It came to mind as I was in the middle of this beautiful, but long ceremony.
Weddings in Italy, or anywhere in the world, are always a beautiful occasion- not because of the fashions, the limousines, or the food, but because it brings family and friends together to celebrate a happy occasion.
The ceremony had finally come to an end. It was beautiful, but ohh so long… The priests in Italy tend to like being on stage- as everyone else there. Their speech usually starts out with a wonderful message, but by the time you hear the end of that message you have lost that train of thought.
Outside the church doves were released into the air by my niece and nephew, Ilaria and Alessandro (7 and 9 yrs old). This is a custom at many weddings in Italy- the releasing of doves. We took photos and caught up with friends and family we hadn’t seen for awhile, and those we’d never met.
Then it was onto the reception at a vineyard at the olive grove- Villa Chiara. The olive groves dotted the hills as we drove up to the Villa Chiara. Olive oil production is rampant in this area. It dates back to the ancient Romans who produced olive oil here using ancient extraction methods.
The ancient Romans inhabited this region and then later destroyed it. But because of them its’ soil is rich for olive trees and grapes for its’ wines. The taste of history here runs deep, and from this area we get some of the most wonderful Montepulciano D’Abruzzo wines.
Try out a special dish from this region in your home.
Pollo alla Lauretana (Chicken Lauretana).
This makes 5 servings.
Ingredients
2 lbs of boned, cut-up chicken (washed and cleaned)
2 tbs olive oil
2 cloves garlic (whole)
1/4 cup pitted green olives
1 cup dry white wine
1 dry small hot pepper
handful fresh rosemary
pinch of salt to taste
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in frying pan, add chicken cut in pieces and sauté until golden.
2. Add salt, garlic, rosemary, hot pepper, and cover.
3. Let cook for about 20 minutes, or until chicken is done.
4. Add in olives and cook for another 2 minutes, then serve immediately.
Buon Appetito!!