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SUMMER CHICKEN STIR FRY

Steps:

• Melt the butter with the olive oil in a large skillet over a medium-high heat. Add the chicken and garlic, then sauté until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate.
• Increase the heat to high, then throw in the zucchini. Stir it around for about 45 seconds, then scoot the zucchini to the edges of the pan. Throw in the corn and cook it for a minute, then push it to the edges of the pan. Throw in the grape tomatoes, stir them around for a minute, then sprinkle on some salt and pepper to taste.
• Next, throw the chicken back in. Stir everything around for about 45 seconds, or until it's all combined and hot. Pour it onto a big platter.
• Sprinkle on the fresh basil and some Parmesan shavings then ... this is the best part ... squeeze the lemon all over the top. This adds a wonderful, indescribable freshness.

BUTTER PECAN FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat and melt 2 tablespoons of the butter.
• In a large bowl, combine the milk, eggs, 1/4 cup of the brown sugar, the cinnamon, and vanilla. Whisk together until everything's combined and smooth.
• One by one, dunk the slices of bread into the egg mixture and place them on the buttery skillet.
• Fit as many slices in the skillet as you can, cooking them until golden on the first side, about 2 1/2 minutes. Flip to cook them on the other side for about 2 minutes. Remove them to a plate. Add 2 tablespoons of the butter to the skillet and repeat with the rest of the bread slices until they're all cooked.
• To the same skillet, add the remaining 4 tablespoons butter, the remaining 1 cup of brown sugar, and the salt. Stir and cook over medium heat until the butter and sugar are melted and bubbling, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off the heat completely, pour in the bourbon and stir, allowing the fumes to dissipate for about 1 minute. Turn the stove on medium heat and continue to stir and cook for another minute, or until the mixture is starting to thicken. Add the pecans, stir to combine. Keep cooking the sauce, stirring constantly, until the mixture is deep golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Be careful not to cook it too long as it will become chewy, you want a nice caramelly sauce. Turn off the heat.
• Serve two pieces of French toast with a little butter. Sift over some powdered sugar.
• Spoon on a generous amount of the sauce then top with whipped cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon.

MARINATED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450˚ F. Put the peppers on a parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Roast until the skins are charred in spots and the peppers are tender, 20 to 30 minutes (the Italian peppers may be done before the bell peppers). Remove the peppers to a large bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let the peppers steam so the skins loosen, at least 20 minutes.
• Carefully peel the skins off the peppers, scraping away any stuck bits using a paring knife. Lay the peppers flat on a cutting board and tear them open like a book; remove the stems and scrape away the seeds, then tear the peppers into long strips, about 1 1/2 inches wide. Transfer the strips to a medium bowl.
• Add the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil, the vinegar, oregano, basil, garlic and a big pinch of salt to the peppers; toss. Transfer to a small jar and refrigerate at least 3 hours or up to 1 week.

SUNNY'S LOBSTER TAIL "NEWBERG"

Steps:

• For the lobsters: In a medium pot, add the lobster tails in one layer and cover with about 1 inch of water. Remove the lobster tails from the pot and set aside. Add the paprika, garlic, onions and a nice pinch of salt to the pot and bring to a boil over high heat. When the water begins to boil, turn the heat to medium low. When the bubbles subside, add the lobster tails to the pot. Cover and poach until the tails are bright red and curled, about 6 minutes for smaller tails, 8 minutes for larger. Transfer the tails to a plate until cool enough to handle. Strain and reserve the poaching liquid. Remove the meat from the shells and chop into bite-sized chunks.
• For the mushrooms: In a large pan with straight sides, heat the butter and olive oil over medium-high heat until the butter melts. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly dehydrated and cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate and season with salt and pepper. Reserve the pan.
• For the sauce: Add 3/4 cup of the strained lobster-poaching liquid to the mushroom pan, bring to a simmer over medium heat and reduce slightly, about 3 minutes. Add the cream and simmer until thickened, 10 to 12 minutes. Taste and add vinegar or lemon juice to brighten. Remove from the heat and add the lobster meat to warm in the ambient heat of the pan.
• For the toast and serving: Preheat the oven to low broil. Lightly butter one side of each slice of bread and place on a baking sheet or directly on the middle rack, buttered-side up. Broil until the edges are golden and the centers are toasty. Cut into halves on the bias.
• Arrange 2 toast halves on each plate or shallow bowl. Spoon the lobster and sauce onto the toasts. Top with the mushrooms and sprinkle with chives.