OREGANO OLIVE CHICKEN and CAPER ROSEMARY SALMON

Even though they are both pickled and Mediterranean, olives and capers are not part of the same family.
Fruit and flower bud are featured in these flavorful recipes, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

OLIVE OREGANO CHICKEN

4 chicken breasts
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 cup chopped pimiento-stuffed olives
1/4 cup capers, drained
2 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped

Sprinkle chicken with pepper. In a large nonstick skillet, brown chicken on all sides in oil. Remove and keep warm. Drain drippings from skillet.
Combine remaining ingredients, pour into skillet, stirring to loosen browned bits. Bring to a boil. Carefully return chicken to pan. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 20 to 25 minutes or until chicken juices run clear.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Readers Digest
www.rd.com/food/

CAPER ROSEMARY SALMON

6 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons drained capers
4 teaspoons liquid from capers in jar
4 teaspoons finely grated lemon peel
2 teaspoons finely minced fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon sea salt
large pinch of dried crushed red pepper
pinch of sugar
1 small onion, diced
6 salmon fillets

Whisk first nine ingredients in a large bowl. Stir in onion. Transfer mixture to resealable plastic bag. Add salmon and seal bag, let marinate for one hour, turning occasionally.
Prepare grill, remove salmon from bag. Grill until just cooked to the center, about 3 to 4 minutes per side.
Pour marinade into small saucepan, bring just to simmer.
Place one salmon fillet on each plate, spoon warm marinade over. Serve with a green salad.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit, August 2008
www.bonappetit.com