A Taste of Italy

My mother’s southern Italian cooking is rustic and fiery, with recipes often calling for sweet tomatoes and hot peppers, the perfect ingredients for an authentic sauce. Since one of my mom’s favorite dishes is baked Chicken Parmesan in a marinara sauce, I decided to wow her for Mother’s Day with a modern take on this nostalgic dish that is light and healthful. I keep it simple with grilled chicken breasts topped with my version of an Italian salsa. The combination of a poblano pepper with grape tomatoes, kalamata olives and extra-virgin olive oil makes for a colorful and vibrant presentation. Plus, this uncomplicated dish will give you a chance to mingle with your guests and not wish someone would help you wash the pots and pans — because there won’t be any!