About The Red and Black (Athens, Ga.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 6, 2014)
AMPERSAND | FEB/MAR 2014 13 PRUNES In Elizabethan times, prunes were commonplace where we would now least expect them and lacked their current “bowel-shaking” connotation. Often offered freely at brothels across the U.K., a dish of stewed prunes was well-advertised as a preventative measure and cure for venereal diseases and considered by many to be a potent aphrodisiac. Having garnered such a reputation for doing more than just keeping you regular during the time of “The Virgin Queen,” the association of stewed prunes with prostitution even seeped it’s way into the works of Shakespeare. In the bard’s classic way of creating an insult out of thin air, Falstaff in Henry IV (Part 1, act 3, sc. 3, 1.12-3) slanders the Hostess by denouncing, “There’s no more faith in thee than in a stewed prune.” Adding further insult to the reputation of prunes, Dr. Pepper circa the 1930s worked hard to dispel the rumor that prune juice was one of its 23 famous flavors. In short, many have and continue to read more into prunes than see them for what they really are— dried plums. Casting this wrinkly fruit’s history with bowel movements, sexual potency, venereal disease management and soft drinks aside, we challenge you to make this goat cheese, walnut and prune stuffed chicken breast and call it anything but delicious. If chicken is not your fancy, try the decadent chocolate prune cake instead. WALNUT PRUNE, AND GOAT CHEESE STUFFED SPLIT CHICKEN BREASTS Start to finish: 45 minutes Servings: 2-4, dependent on size of breast 2 split chicken breasts, with ribs and skin 3 tablespoons walnuts, chopped 1/4 cup goat cheese 6 prunes, chopped Olive Oil Salt and pepper Heat the oven to 450 F. In a small bowl, mix walnuts, goat cheese and prunes. Cut an incision into the chicken skin of each breast and stuff with walnut, goat cheese and prunes. Drizzle olive oil over each breast and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Put chicken breasts in a greased or aluminum-foil-lined casserole pan. Bake for 30 minutes and check for doneness. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes. 196 Alps Rd Beechwood Center 706.354.6655 buffaloscafe.com/athens 10% OFF STUDENT DISCOUNT W/COLLEGE ID Brewer’s Inquisition Live HOW SMART ARE YOU? EVERY SUNDAY 7-9 PM MARKER SEVEN COASTAL GRILL SQUARE one $10 buckets of domestic bottle _ fish co. beers and $.75 oysters... ALL THE TIME OUTDOOR PATIO FRIENDLY STAFF FUN ATMOSPHERE 414 N Thomas St./Downtown | squareonefishco.com DINNER FOR TWO ON TUESDAYS $40/COUPLE +tax & tip. A bottle of chef selected wine, an appetizer, two surf & turf dinners and dessert. - A little bit of the Gulf Coast comes to Athens Seasonal Seafood Menu, Fun Coastal Cocktails, Oysters, Land Lovers Options, Scenic Porch. Plenty of Parking. At the corner of Lumpkin & Milledge MARKER7COASTALGRILL.COM | 706.850.3451
