Thyme!

After bringing home some fresh thyme, I looked up some recipes. I wonder how many we'll actually make. Let's start with some chicken and zucchini. And some Beef Cacciatore as well.

Creamy Thyme Chicken

• 3 pounds boneless chicken thighs
• flour, salt, pepper, olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms, optional
• 4 chili pods or 1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup cream
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Dip the chicken in seasoned flour, then sauté in olive oil. Add onion, garlic, mushrooms, chili and thyme. Cook until just about cooked through. Remove chicken and deglaze pan with wine, then chicken broth. Stir in cream, then lemon juice and return chicken to pan. Heat through and serve plain, or over rice. Garnish with additional minced thyme.

Honey-Thyme Butternut Squash (recipe here)

• 1 large butternut squash (about 5 pounds), peeled and cubed
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 3 tablespoons half-and-half cream
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon minced thyme
• 1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper

In a large saucepan, bring 1 in. of water to a boil. Add squash; cover and cook for 10-15 minutes or until tender. Drain. Mash squash with the remaining ingredients.

Garlic Thyme Roasted Butternut Squash

Drizzle 1 butternut squash, peeled and cubed, with some olive oil and minced garlic. Place on baking sheet and sprinkle with fresh thyme, salt and pepper. Roast at 400 degrees for 30 minutes, stirring once or twice.

Roasted Carrots (recipe here)

• 3 pounds medium carrots, halved lengthwise
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh thyme or 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 400°. Divide carrots between 2 greased 15x10x1-in. baking pans. In a small bowl, mix thyme, oil, honey and salt; brush over carrots. Roast 20-25 minutes or until tender.

You can also simply sauté zucchini and season with salt, pepper and thyme. Here's a recipe if you want actual measurements.

Heirloom Tomato Pie - here

Thyme Crackers (recipe here)

• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
• 1 to 2 tablespoons minced fresh thyme
• 3/4 teaspoon sea or kosher salt

Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, whisk flours and salt. Gradually add water and 1/4 cup oil, tossing with a fork until dough holds together when pressed. Divide dough into 3 portions.

On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 1-1/2-in. round cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Prick each cracker with a fork; brush lightly with remaining oil. Mix thyme and sea salt; sprinkle over crackers.

Bake 9-11 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned.

Shrimp Tortellini (recipe here)

Chicken Biscuit Potpie (recipe here)