Basil Chicken Roulade Food

CHICKEN, BASIL, PROSCIUTTO AND GOAT CHEESE ROULADE WITH A LEMON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Place the chicken between plastic sheets or preferably Silpats and pound with a heavy skillet to 1/4 inch thickness. I like to do this with a large value pack and freeze the extras, individually, after sealing with the FoodSaver . This way I have this done for the next few times I want this recipe or a Chicken Cordon Blue. Place the chicken breasts on a sheet pan laid out flat. Have toothpicks ready on the pan to hold them shut.
• On a separate plate, lay out the 4 pieces of prosciutto, basil leaves and with a small ice cream scoop dish out 4-1 oz scoops of goat cheese. First place the prosciutto on each breast, then put the goat cheese on the prosciutto (spread out some with the scooper) then put the basil leaves on the cheese and press down to spread out evenly. Roll the chicken breasts up and put a tooth pick in to hold.
• In a heavy sauce pan, melt 2 tbs butter. Add the garlic and cook until soft. Add the white wine and 1-1/4 cup chicken broth. Bring to a boil and reduce until half.
• While the sauce is reducing, heat on medium high 1 tbs olive oil and 1 tbs butter in an oven proof skillet. Add the chicken rolls. Braise the chicken on all sides, then add 1/2 cup chicken broth to the pan and place in the oven. The extra broth helps to keep the chicken moist while it is cooking through in the oven.
• Once the chicken is cooked though, remove from the oven and place on a plate and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Pour the contents of the skillet into the sauce and sauce and stir. Add the creme fraiche and the the tarragon and lemon and stir.
• Place a small ladle full of sauce on a plate and put the chicken roll in it.
• Serve with a rice dish (rice pilaf) and steamed vegetables.

BASIL CHICKEN ROULADE

Steps:

• Place one chicken breast between pieces of plastic wrap and gently pound with mallet. Try to shape it as much like a rectangle as possible, about 1/4" thick. Follow the same procedure with 3 more breasts. Set aside.
• Chop the last breast into 1" chunks.
• Place the spinach, basil, lemon juice, onions and garlic into a food processor. Pulse to chop. Add the chicken chunks, salt and pepper and continue to puree until the mixture becomes thick. Add a small amount of chicken stock if needed for moisture.
• Spread 1/4 of the chicken mixture in a thin layer on each chicken breast. Fold the breast over the chicken mixture into roll-ups (roulades). Wrap the roulades in cheesecloth or plastic wrap and tie with string on both ends. Cheesecloth is preferable for tender, juicier chicken.
• Place chicken stock into a medium pot and bring to boil. Add the wine and roulades. Simmer for 15 minutes or until a thermometer inserted to center of chicken breast reads 180°F Remove from liquid.
• Reduce a few cups of the cooking liquid by half.
• Remove the cheesecloth or plastic from the chicken and slice on the bias to create oblong pieces. Serve 1 roulade per person with the reduced liquid spooned over the slices.

CHICKEN AND BASIL ROULADES WITH MUSTARD SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• SAUCE:.
• Mix 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 1 T. Dijon mustard and 2 teaspoons chopped fresh chives together. Set aside.
• ROULADES:.
• Chop chives and basil separately.
• Pound chicken breasts to uniform 1/2 inch thickness. (This is easily done by putting them one at a time into a plastic bag and whacking them with a rolling pin, the side of a meat mallet or something equally heavy and smooth-surfaced.).
• Take one chicken breast and sprinkle some chopped basil on top. Season with salt and pepper. Roll up and secure with toothpick or cooking twine.
• Repeat with each remaining chicken breast.
• Mix 1/3 cup plain yogurt and 1 teaspoons Dijon mustard together. Pour onto a plate.
• Mix breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese together. Pour onto a separate plate.
• Roll each roulade in yogurt mixture on plate and then roll in bread crumbs.
• Place roulades in baking dish. Drizzle with melted butter.
• Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown. REMOVE TOOTHPICKS!
• Serve with a dollop of sauce on the side.
• NOTE: I've never tried this without fresh herbs, but I can't imagine the flavor being nearly as yummy. ALSO, use fresh parmesan cheese -- not the stuff in the can.
• For low-carb dieters substitute ground pork rinds for the bread crumbs. You won't notice the difference.