Sharing meals with loved ones is not only timeless, but as essential to the human spirit as the quality of the food itself. For connoisseurs of cuisine, exploring new dining trends is a favorite pastime. Whether the trend is farm to table, alfresco, formally plated or casual, family or friends breaking bread together never goes out of style.
Deeply rooted in cultures across the globe, family-style dining serves up a relaxed pause any time of day the meal is enjoyed. A later lunch tends to be the biggest meal in many cultures, yet here in the states, since the 1800s, dinnertime is still held as a high priority. During WW2, the family dinner was even part of propaganda to help preserve hope, tradition, and stability in the home. This was especially valuable for young families, helping children keep a sense of predictability and routine.
When family and friends gather, the opportunity for practicing many virtues presents itself. Perhaps the original dining experience, family-style, served center-table on large platters, offers all guests at the table an opportunity to communicate and share. If the table is shared with kiddos, the opportunities to model and practice essential life skills, in the safe arms of a family, is sprinkled throughout this engaging, and sometimes messy meal. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends can model healthy choices and portions, lovingly guiding the littles in evolving their agency around their own nourishment. Passing the plates teaches patience and essential manners when saying please and thank you, while encouraging each member at the table to pay attention to one's own needs as well as the needs of the group, actively listen, and take turns. It can also be a valuable time to learn the essential skill of laughing at corny jokes, negotiating, and resolving conflict over the last meatball.
Some restaurants include this style of dining as an option over individually plated meals, and for good reason. With the evolution of our economy and culture to include gigs, side hustles, and evening classes, eating out this way offers the same relaxed vibe to our shared community beyond the traditional 9 to 5. Having a meal delivered on an especially hectic weeknight? Setting it up around a crowded table, to bring the people together with food, perhaps al fresco (outdoors in the cool air, which heightens the senses), creates a nourishing moment that’s hard to top. The hardest part of this lovely style will be deciding who does the dishes.
Our recipe this month features briny olives and farm tomatoes, still sweet and abundant in early fall. As the season cools, this warm and comforting dish is perfect for a family gathering together.
Rustic Fall Chicken
Sweet tomato, garlic, and briny olives, create an irresistible recipe simple enough for weeknights, or a family style dinner party.
Ingredients:
3 chicken breasts split lengthwise
2 pints cherry tomatoes
Pint olives
3 peeled garlic cloves, smashed
Italian seasoning
Salt & pepper
Fresh thyme sprig
fresh basil leaves
Olive oil
Cut some tomatoes in half. Toss with fresh basil, olive oil, salt & pepper. Roast at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and italian seasoning. In dutch oven on medium high, heat 5 tbsp of olive oil. Cook chicken for 5 minutes per side. Remove. To the same pot, add thyme, olives, garlic, and roasted tomatoes. Cook for 5 minutes. Nestle chicken back in, cook for another 3 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve alongside your favorite pasta, or a simple salad and crusty bread to sop up the mouthwatering sauce.