Cooking with Astrid and Hiccup Season 2

Episode 4: Chicken Parmigiana

Episode 4: Chicken Parmigiana

"Hello everybody and welcome back to another episode of cooking with Astrid and Hiccup. I'm Hiccup and this is my lovely co-host and girlfriend Astrid." Hiccup introduces from behind the counter, but Astrid simply stomps on the stage, a literal thunderstorm above her head.

Ruffnut could be heard screaming from backstage. "Can someone get that thunderstorm prop out of my set!!!"

Soon the thunderstorm was hoisted away but Astrid's mood didn't lighten.

"Hello everybody." Astrid said in a monotone voice. "Today we will be showing you how to make Chicken Parmigiana."

"Astrid what's wrong?" Hiccup asked. The audience had already taken out their buckets of popcorn waiting for whatever it was to be revealed.

"Nothing is wrong Hiccup." Astrid said as she got behind the counter. "I was just binge eating a cheesecake last night, and I think I ate too much."

"That's not it, and now I owe our producer a cheesecake. She was very upset when she didn't get a taste. Now spill." Hiccup said while crossing his arms.

Astrid let out a sigh. "Okay, fine. If you must know. Your mom doesn't like me." Astrid grumbled out.

"Astrid I think you might be overreacting. Dad loved you, and yes mom ask some questions, but I don't think she hates you." Hiccup said trying to soothe Astrid.

"Oh she hates me alright. It was after you and your dad went into the living room. Apparently, she seems to think that I'm not good enough for you." Astrid commented as she started sharpening her knives.

"I'm sure mom will come around." Hiccup said quickly as he was eyeing the large butchers knife that Astrid was sharpening to keep herself busy. "Why don't we do today's recipe, and then we'll think of something."

Astrid nodded and Hiccup proceeded to place the ingredients on the counter. "First we'll be making the tomato sauce. We'll need 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 large Spanish onion, finely chopped, 4 cloves garlic, smashed with some kosher salt to make a paste, 2 (28-ounce) cans plum tomatoes and their juices, pureed in a blender, 1 (16-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, 1 small can tomato paste, 1 bay leaf, 1 small bunch Italian parsley, 1 Cubano chile pepper, chopped, Salt and freshly ground pepper."

As Hiccup summed up the ingredients Astrid was vigorously preparing them. Mainly she was scaring the hell out of the audience with her chopping, smashing, and grounding.

Ruffnut who stood next to her brother whispered. "At least she isn't taking any frustrations out on us."

Hiccup let out a nervous chuckle. "For the tomato sauce, heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook until soft. Add pureed tomatoes with their juices, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, 1 cup water, bay leaf, parsley, Cubano pepper, and bring to a boil. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Reduce heat and cook until slightly thickened, about 30 minutes."

Astrid suddenly stopped what she was doing as if a light bulb went off. "Hey Hiccup, what do you think if your mom and I cooked Thanksgiving dinner?"

Hiccup paled and nearly dropped the saucepan. A look of absolute horror on his face. The audience wasn't any better as shouts of 'Thor no!!" were being screamed.

"Psst Fish." Snotlout whispered while elbowing Fishlegs in the stomach. "Look at Hiccup's face. It looks like he'd rather run into the arms of flesh eating zombies before he'd let Astrid and aunt Valka be alone in a kitchen."

"T...That's o..okay Astrid. Dad and I usually cook Thanksgiving dinner, 'and any other meal'" Hiccup added under his breath. "It's a tradition... yes, tradition..."

"Nice save." Fishlegs whispered back to Snotlout who nodded. "I know. I have to be there for Thanksgiving and if those two cooked I'd join my cuz and the zombies." Snotlout whispered as quietly as he could but the dragons in the audience had amazing hearing and began sniggering to themselves.

"We'll be back after these short words from our sponsors." Hiccup stated and Tuffnut nodded and Snotlout cut off the feed.

When the show returned we see a nervous looking Hiccup behind the counter together with Astrid who had a meat tenderizer in her hand.

"For the next part we'll need 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded thin." As Hiccup said this a 'WHAM' rang out through the studio. Hiccup turned to look at Astrid who had a satisfied look on her face.

"Not that thin." Hiccup murmured but he wouldn't dare say anything out loud. He was still too close to Astrid.

"We'll also need salt and freshly ground black pepper, 2 cups all-purpose flour, seasoned with salt and pepper, 4 large eggs, beaten with 2 tablespoons water and seasoned with salt and pepper, 2 cups panko bread crumbs, 1 cup vegetable oil or pure olive oil, the tomato sauce, 1 pound fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced, 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan, and fresh basil or parsley leaves, for garnish." Hiccup summed up and the entire crew let out a breath of relief as Astrid put the meat tenderizer away.

"First preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Season chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Dredge each breast in the flour and tap off excess, then dip in the egg and let excess drip off, then dredge on both sides in the bread crumbs." Hiccup said while he helped Astrid with the chicken. So far everything was going well.

"Divide the oil between 2 large sauté pans and heat over high heat until almost smoking. Add 2 chicken breasts to each pan and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a baking sheet and top each breast with some tomato sauce, a few slices of the mozzarella, salt and pepper, and a tablespoon of Parmesan. Bake in the oven until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the oven and garnish with basil or parsley leaves." Hiccup said and the entire crew was relieved that nothing went wrong. Astrid must have worked out her frustrations.

Ruffnut came running on stage holding a cell phone just as they plated the dish. "It's your dad." Ruffnut said as she handed Hiccup the phone.

Hiccup took the phone and listened to his dad. "ehuh.........ah.........wait......SHE DID WHAT!!!!!!" Hiccup shouted suddenly. The call lasted a minute longer. Afterwards Hiccup groaned morosely and then laid his head in his hand.

"Hiccup what's the matter?" Astrid asked as she edged closer.

"Mom tried to make kidney beans and somehow she managed to burn a hole through my countertop. My new marble countertop!!!"

Everyone was silent at that. 'How does one burn a hole through marble?'

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Producer's note: (Lets out a relieved breath)......Astrid is finally learning to control her frustrations. (Note to self) Make sure all meat tenderizing is handled by Hiccup.