Wow, this video is quite amazing!
This is my all pencil portrait of the President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama! Estimated completion time = ….still calculating.
R.I.P. Jerry LaVigne Jr. 1984-Present ….does realistic portrait artwork from photos.
myspace.com/jerrylavignejr
I love anything with gravy, I usually do smothered pork chops but I had a taste for some good smothered chicken. So I found this great recipe on FoodTV.com from Patti LaBelle, which I knew could only be great coming from Patti Patti! It came out yummmmmy! See my notes for a more novice chef approach.
One 3 1/2-pound chicken, rinsed and cut into 8 pieces
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 medium onions, chopped
2 medium celery ribs, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
3 cups chicken brothSeason the chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Place the flour in a large bowl. Roll the chicken in the flour to coat, shaking off excess flour. Transfer 3 tablespoons of the flour to a medium bowl and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, turning halfway during cooking, until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
Pour off all but 3 tablespoons of the oil from the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onions, celery, and garlic and cook, stirring often, until tender, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with the reserved flour and stir well. Gradually stir in the broth and bring to a simmer.
Return the chicken to the skillet. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and shows no sign of pink when pierced at the bone, about 35 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a deep platter and cover with foil to keep warm. Bring the sauce to a boil over high heat and cook, stirring often, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Season the gravy with salt and pepper and pour over the chicken. Serve hot.
Melody’s Note: I don’t cut and clean chicken… I just used packaged drumsticks and thighs. As for the onion, celery and garlic I use my PictSweet seasoning instead, it’s quick, less messy and is probably less costly than fresh. If you use onions just for cooking like me, then this is a great buy.
If you want to support Barack Obama in the most fashionable way, check out these newly added items! Now I know there are tons of people selling Obama shirts but I feel better going directly to his official store so that his campaign can get 100% of the profits.
Some of fashion’s biggest and most sought after designers has offered their Change inspired designs to help raise funds for the Obama Biden Campaign. From tees to scarves to totes, there are some fantabulous pieces in the “Runway to Change Project” that “I’D DIE” [a la Rachel Zoe] to have in my closet.
Pharrell Williams | Jay-Z | Beyonce
Tracy Reece | Zac Posen | Diane Von Furstenberg
I love love love the Diane Von Fuerstenberg “Obama 08 Love” tote, just a mere $75! I so want it.
Most of the tops will run you $60, but remember that the proceeds will go to the Obama Biden Campaign, you can look at it as a donation with a nice gift in return! I’ve already spent about 70 bucks on tees, buttons, and magnets…
See all the items at the Official Obama Store.