Antipasti Stuffed Chicken Food

ANTIPASTI-STUFFED FLANK STEAK

Steps:

• For the flank steak: Set the flank steak on a cutting board. Starting at the thin, narrow end of the steak, slice it in half horizontally to within 2 inches of the opposite wide end. Open it up like a book so you have one long piece. Pound the steak with a mallet to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch.
• Whisk together the oil, vinegar, honey, red pepper, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Combine the marinade with the meat in a large resealable plastic bag and flip over several times to make sure the meat is well coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours, flipping several times.
• For the herb paste and sauce: Combine the basil, parsley, red pepper, garlic and 1 teaspoon salt in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. With the motor running, slowly pour in 1/4 cup of the oil. Remove 2 tablespoons of the herb paste from the processor and mix with the remaining 1/4 cup oil in a small bowl; reserve this sauce for finishing.
• Prepare an outdoor grill for direct and indirect grilling. (If your grill has a thermometer, aim to keep the temperature at about 350 degrees F throughout grilling.)
• Remove the steak from the marinade and pat dry. Spread it flat on a work surface. Cover the steak with the remaining herb paste, leaving a 1-inch border along the edges. Layer with the ham, mozzarella and salami, then sprinkle with the mushrooms and roasted peppers. Arrange the hot peppers in a line along the edge of one of the short ends (when you roll up the steak they will be in the middle). Roll up the steak like a jelly roll, starting at the short end with the hot peppers. Tie the roll closed around the circumference with butcher's twine at 2-inch intervals. Tie one more piece of twine lengthwise around the meat.
• Put the steak on the direct heat side of the grill and cook, turning, to brown all 4 sides, about 2 minutes per side. Move the steak to the indirect heat side of the grill, cover and cook, turning occasionally, until the very center reads 115 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer for a steak that is well done on the outside and medium rare in the center, 25 to 30 minutes more. (Test frequently; the time will vary based on the temperature of your grill.) Let the steak rest 5 to 6 minutes.
• Untie the steak and cut it into 6 thick slices. Serve with the reserved herb sauce for drizzling.

INVOLTINI DI POLLO (STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS)

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place each chicken breast half between two sheets of waxed paper.
• Using a meat mallet or the dull side of a cleaver blade, press down and then push out from the center of each breast half, flattening it out evenly. Do not overpound or the breasts will break apart.
• To make the stuffing: soak the bread in the stock until it is softened, two to three minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a skillet melt the butter over medium heat.
• Add the green onions and sautee, until softened but not browned, about three minutes. Place the green onions in a mixing bowl.
• Squeeze the excess stock from the bread; discard the stock.
• Add the bread to the bowl, along with the sage, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste and mix well. Taste for seasoning.
• Place a slice of ham on each of the flattened chicken breast halves.
• Divide the bread stuffing between the two breasts, spreading it over the ham.
• Roll up each breast from a narrow end; the opposite end should remain uncovered and slightly overlap the roll.
• Tuck in any stuffing that may have leaked out of the ends; the ham slice will prevent stuffing from leaking out of the center of the chicken roll.
• Using cotton kitchen string, tie the rolls closed in the same fashion that a roast is laced. Toothpicks can be used to fasten the ends securely.
• Melt the butter with the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
• Meanwhile, dredge the chicken rolls in the flour and set aside.
• When the skillet is hot enough to make the chicken rolls sizzle, add them.
• Brown on all sides for no longer than five minutes. Prolonged sauteing will toughen the delicate breast meat. To turn the rolls, gently slide a spatula under them to prevent rupturing.
• Transfer the sauteed breast rolls to a casserole just large enough to accommodate them, but with enough room to keep them from touching.
• Set the skillet aside for later deglazing.
• Pour the stock over the breasts, cover tightly, and place in the preheated oven.
• Bake until the breasts are just cooked through but still juicy, 20 to 25 minutes (it took me 40 minutes for the chicken to be fully cooked).
• Remove from the oven, and transfer the rolls to a cutting board, reserving the liquid in the casserole.
• Remove the string and toothpicks and let stand for five to ten minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the pan drippings that remain in the skillet in which the breasts were sauteed.
• Add 1/2 cup of the stock from the casserole and bring to a simmer, using a wooden spoon to dislodge any bits stuck to the pan bottom.
• Add the wine and continue to simmer to evaporate the alcohol.
• Taste for salt.
• Cut each of the stuffed breasts crosswise into five or six slices and arrange on a serving platter. Pour the hot pan juices over them.

TRADITIONAL ANTIPASTI PLATTER

Steps:

• Use your favorites.
• Sliced meats may be rolled up into tubes.
• Platter can be prepared a couple of hours in advance, covered and chilled.
• Bring back to room temperature 10 - 15 minutes before serving.
• Serve Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Vinegars on the side.