The apartment in Burlingame was my first home in the Bay Area. Up until then I had been room-mates with a friend named Bob. The thing that sold me on this apartment was the nice large size, the big floor to ceiling windows in the living room and that big gas range in the kitchen.
So, over the years that apartment was the home of many happy events: Christmases, Thanksgivings, birthdays, friends visiting, and my mom visiting. I have fond memories of my four and one-half years of living there.
The first winter of living there was an exceptionally rainy winter and I do believe it was a record breaker in the amount of rain received. Frequently at the end of a long work day, a long commute from the Silicon Valley, I would arrive home wet and tired. The first thing I would do was turn on the heat and if I had chicken in the fridge, I would make "Chicken Italian." There was something about pre-heating the oven on that big old gas range...and then browning the chicken in a frying pan before putting it in the oven that was comforting. The cares and concerns of the work day would ease away, the oven would give off a gentle warmth that would fill the kitchen, and basting the chicken while it cooked would be one of those simple and pleasurable chores...while the rain poured outside tap-tapping against the windows.
Now I have lived here for over 30 years and as I look back I smile fondly at the memories...especially when like last night...I was once again making "Chicken Italian."
p.s. If you want the recipe for "Chicken Italian", go to "recipes" and/or type in "chicken" on the search bar.