Baked Chicken And Pumpkin With Herbed Cream Sauce Food

CREAMY CHICKEN & PUMPKIN

Steps:

• Soak porcini in 300ml/1⁄2 pt hot water for 30 mins. Skin chicken and rub the cut side of the lemon over them. Heat oil in a pan large enough to hold chicken in one layer. Add chicken and brown on both sides. Transfer to a casserole.
• Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Melt the butter in a medium pan. When it stops foaming, add onion and 1 tsp salt, then sauté until pale gold.
• Meanwhile, remove the porcini from the water and rinse well. Pat dry and chop small. Strain the water through a sieve, stopping before the last spoonful.
• Add porcini and pumpkin pieces to onion and sauté for 5 mins. Add fresh mushrooms and cook for 5 mins more, stirring frequently. Stir in the cream, 4-5 tbsp of the porcini water and seasoning if you wish. Simmer uncovered for 10-12 mins until reduced slightly, then pour over the chicken.
• Cover and cook in the oven for 30-40 mins, turning the chicken once or twice and adding a few spoonfuls of water if the sauce becomes a little dry.

CHICKEN PUMPKINS

Steps:

• Cut a series of deep slits crosswise into each chicken breast (do not cut through), about 3/4 inch apart from one another. Cut each chicken breast in half lengthwise.
• Whisk together the buttermilk, 2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
• Meanwhile, cut each cheese stick in half crosswise so you have into 8 pieces. Freeze until solid, about 2 hours.
• Fill a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot with 3 to 4 inches of vegetable oil. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Set a rack on a baking sheet.
• Meanwhile, trim the skinny tops from the celery stalks and remove any leaves. Cut eight 1-inch pieces from the skinny tops (these will be your pumpkin stems) and set aside.
• Add the Cheddar crackers and 1 teaspoon salt to a food processor and process until finely ground. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl.
• One at a time, remove the chicken pieces from the buttermilk mixture, letting the excess drip off. Transfer to the bowl of cracker crumbs and toss to thoroughly coat. Shake off any excess coating and transfer to a cutting board, cut-side down. Place a piece of cheese on one end of the chicken and roll up to enclose the cheese. Seal with a toothpick.
• Working in batches of two, carefully lower the coated chicken into the oil using a slotted spoon. Fry the chicken until golden, cooked through and a thermometer inserted in the center of the meat registers 160 degrees F, about 4 minutes. Remove to the prepared rack to drain. Insert a celery stem in the center of each pumpkin so it sticks in the cheese. Serve hot with ranch sauce.

BAKED CHICKEN AND PUMPKIN WITH HERBED CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine all the Baked Chicken and Pumpkin Slice ingredients in a large bowl, season with salt and pepper to taste and mix well.
• Lightly grease a 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared dish and smooth over the top. Bake at 400 degrees F for about 40 minutes, or until firm.
• Herbed Cream Sauce:.
• While the chicken and pumpkin mixture is baking, heat the oil in a small saucepan, add the garlic and cook, stirring, until the garlic is lightly browned. Add the wine and stock and simmer, uncovered, until reduced to about 1/2 cup. Add the cream and herbs and stir until hot; season with salt and white pepper.
• Cut the baked chicken and pumpkin mixture into small diamond shapes, divide between warmed serving dishes and spoon over the Herbed Cream Sauce.
• This recipe can be made a day ahead and kept covered, separately, in the refrigerator. The baked chicken and pumpkin mixture is suitable for freezing.

CHICKEN WITH HERB SAUCE

Steps:

• Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of waxed paper; flatten evenly with a mallet. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon each of butter and oil; brown chicken over medium-high heat for about 6 minutes on each side or until juices run clear. Remove and keep warm., Stir broth, chives, parsley, lime juice, basil, mustard and remaining butter and oil into drippings; cook and stir until butter is melted. Serve over chicken.

CREAMY PUMPKIN SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir shallots until soft, about 10 minutes. Add butter and allow to melt. Whisk flour into butter mixture until incorporated. Stir cream, salt, and cinnamon into butter mixture and continue whisking until incorporated, about 2 minutes.
• Mix pumpkin and 1/2 cup chicken broth into cream mixture, adding more broth, 1/4 cup at a time, until desired consistency is reached. Simmer sauce until desired consistency is reached, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir sage and thyme into sauce.