The Beauty of a Blank Slate by Bittman

[elleng]

The boneless, skinless chicken breast is as simple to prepare as a burger, nearly as ubiquitous and generally seen as both classier and “healthier.” But in the kitchen, it has two major shortcomings. First, its intrinsic flavor is minimal, more akin to pasta than to even an egg. (An egg is exciting by comparison.) Second, preparing a burger isn’t that simple: unless you’re looking for well done, you have to get the timing just right.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/05/magazine/the-versatile-chicken-breast.html?_r=1&ref=dining

Recipes:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/02/05/magazine/simple-chicken-recipes.html?ref=magazine

[Whisp]

1. a bit off topic, but do people still eat burgers other than well done?

I never have my burgers/ground beef other than well done because of ecoli.

I used to go to a place called Fudruckers that made your burger custom like a steak, rare, medium, well done. I usually ordered the medium and it was heaven on earth. yum.
but that was a long time ago.

[Lucinda]

4. I may go with a very pale center if I cooked it myself

but if I am eating out, I ask for medium well.

[HappyMe]

7. It depends on the restaurant and the quality

of the beef they are using. Burgers made of high quality meat, I order med rare.

[maddezmom]

2. thanks for this

I love chicken and the recipes are great to build on.

[elleng]

3. You're welcome, maddez.

I like chicken, prefer thighs, but thought folks here would like to see this.

[Lucinda]

5. Some great ideas at the second link!

Thank you!

I have found that I prefer chicken pre-roasted or simmered in stock and either shredded for use in Chinese or Mexican food - or less often - cut into chunks and quickly sauteed with veggies and splash of some soy. I just cannot sit and eat a hunk of chicken on it's own much anymore. But the ideas at the second link make me want to try again! At the very least it gives me new ideas for the pan fried chunky bits.

[elleng]

6. Glad you like it, Lucinda. Me, I prefer thighs with veggies+.