Make Chicken While You Ponder Dreams

Many times we sit at the breakfast table with a cup of coffee in hand and wonder about that dream we had the night before. The dreams don’t always make much sense to us.

Since eating and drinking are basic to life, both are fodder for dreams. “10,000 Dreams Interpreted,” by Gustavus Hindman Miller (Element Books Limited, 1996), offers insights into some of the many aspects of food dreams (which may or may not apply to you).

Dreams of eating alone signify loss and melancholy spirits. Eating with others, by contrast, denotes personal gain, cheerful environments and prosperous undertakings. It is good to dream of a banquet; friends will want to do you favors.

Breakfast dreams are positive for people engaged in mental work. To see a breakfast of fresh milk and eggs and a well-filled dish of ripe fruit indicates hasty but favorable changes.

Dreams of seeing fruit ripening among its foliage foretells a prosperous future. Nut dreams mean successful enterprises and much favor in love. Soup dreams indicate good tidings and comfort.

And what about dreams of that morning cup of coffee? Disagreements and frequent quarrels are implied.

Here’s a chicken recipe that’s delightfully tasty with herbs. And in dreams, spices foretell that you will probably damage your own reputation in search of pleasure.

Broiled Herbed Chicken Thighs

From “Weekdays are Quick Meals” (Time-Life Books, 1996).

8 small skinless, bone-in chicken thighs (about 1-3/4 pounds total)

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1-1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1-1/2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

Preheat broiler. In a shallow baking dish large enough to hold the chicken thighs in a single layer, combine the lemon juice, butter, oil, Worcestershire sauce and herbs. Add the chicken and turn to coat.

Broil the chicken thighs, bone side down, 4 to 6 inches from the heat for 6 minutes. Turn them over, brush with some of the herb mixture and broil for 6 more minutes. Turn them over again, brush with more of the herb mixture and broil for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the juices run clear when the meat is pierced with the tip of a knife near the bone.

Transfer the chicken thighs to serving plates and top with any remaining pan juices.

Yield: 4 servings.

, DataTimes MEMO: The goal of Five and Fifteen is to find recipes where you can do the shopping in five minutes and the cooking in 15. Merri Lou Dobler, a registered dietitian and Spokane resident, welcomes ideas from readers. Write to Five and Fifteen, Features Department, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210.

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