Basil And Sage Bread Food

BASIL AND SAGE BREAD

Steps:

• Sprinkle yeast over 1 cup water in large bowl, stir to dissove.
• Let stand for 5 minutes.
• Mix rye and white flour together to equal 6 cups flour.
• Mix 1 1/2 cups flour in with yeast/water, stir well.
• Sprinkle 1/2 cup flour over dough.
• Cover with plastic wrap or damp towel and let rise in warm area until doubled (1 1/2 hours).
• Heat oil in skillet over low heat.
• Add basil and sage, stir about 1 minute.
• Remove from heat and cool.
• Blend 1 cup of flour, oil mixture, 1/2 cup water (or wine), salt and pepper into dough using a dough hook or by hand.
• Slowly add remainlng 1/2 cup water.
• Stir in remaining 2 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 cup at a time until dough is smooth and elastic (10 minutes if using dough hook), adding more flour if dough is still sticky.
• Grease large bowl.
• Add dough, turning to coat all sides of dough.
• Cover bowl and let rise until doubled (1 1/2 hours).
• Grease two baking sheets.
• Punch dough down.
• Divide dough in half.
• Form each piece of dough into a 14-inch long loaf.
• Place on baking sheets, seam side down.
• Let rise in warm area until almost double (1 hour).
• Preheat oven to 400-degrees F.
• Slash tops of loaves with knife.
• Bake bread 50-60 minutes or until bread sounds hollow when tapped on bottom and is golden brown.

FRENCH STYLE BASIL CHICKEN

Steps:

• Put the sage leaves in a pan along with the onions, the white wine and the chicken broth.
• Bring to a rolling boil, and continue to boil until the sauce is reduced to 3/4 cup, about 8-10 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and let cool.
• Lay the pieces of chicen in a flat pan or in an airtight plastic bag and use this cooled sauce to marinate the chicken covered overnight in the fridge, or at least 6 hours.
• The next day, preheat the oven to 325°, remove chicken from the marinade, reserving the marinade, and pat dry.
• Put chicken in oven for about 35-45 minutes or until the juices run clear.
• Meanwhile, strain the marinade, discarding the onions, and leaves.
• Put in a suacepan and bring to a rolling boil, and boil for about 10-15 minutes, or until reduced by 1/3.
• Take half of the cream, and blend it together with the basil leaves in the blender until very smooth, and a bit pasty.
• Add this to the sauce, along with the other half of the cream, and reduce heat to low and keep warm until the chicken in done.
• Serve this sauce over the chicken, with rice.

RAVIOLI W/BROWNED BUTTER, SAGE OR BASIL AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Toast pine nuts in a dry fry pan over low/medium heat on the stove top until golden brown. Careful not to burn! Set aside.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add salt to the boiling water. Meanwhile, while waiting for the water to boil --.
• In a large frying pan melt the butter over medium/high heat until pale golden brown flecks appear. About 4 minutes.
• Add the ravioli to the boiling water until they are cooked through, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes, drain.
• NOTE: Once ravioli rises to the top of the boiling water, give it another minute or two and they are done. Careful not boil too vigorously or they will fall apart.
• Add the cooked ravioli to the butter mixture, toss in pine nuts, sprinkle in basil or sage leaves and top with some grated parm-reggiano. Place on plates or in a covered casserole dish for serving.
• Serve with freshly grated cheese at the table.