Basil Marinated Chicken With Caponata Food

BASIL MARINATED CHICKEN WRAP WITH CAPONATA

Steps:

• Place basil, oil, garlic and vinegar in a blender and blend until smooth. Place chicken in a shallow baking dish, add the marinade and turn to coat. Marinate for 2 hours in the refrigerator. Preheat grill. Grill for 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until cooked through.
• Assemble: Place 1 sliced chicken breast in the middle of each flat bread. Top with mozzarella, caponata and spinach leaves, roll and serve.
• Using side burners of grill. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Add the onions and cook until soft. Add eggplant, season with salt and pepper to taste and cook until golden brown. Add celery, tomatoes, olives, capers, pine nuts and raisins and cook for 15 minutes. Stir in vinegar and sugar and cook for 10 minutes longer, season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and stir in the parsley. Serve at room temperature.

GRILLED BASIL-MARINATED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Whisk together the oil, vinegar, basil, onion, salt, peppercorns, and garlic in a bowl. Transfer the marinade to a gallon-sized sealable plastic bag with the chicken and shake to combine. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours and up to 12 hours.
• When ready to cook, build a charcoal fire or preheat gas grill.
• Remove chicken from the marinade. Grill the chicken, turning once, until browned and just cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a platter and garnish with the basil sprigs.

10-MINUTE PENNE WITH CAPONATA SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. Heat oil in large, heavy skillet over moderately high heat for 2 minutes. Add scallions, stir-fry mix, and garlic; reduce heat to moderate and cook, stirring, until scallions are limp and excess pepper juices evaporate, 3 to 5 minutes.
• 2. Add caponata and broth and simmer uncovered, stirring often, just until flavors mingle, about 5 minutes.
• 3. Mix in basil, parsley, and salt and papper to taste. Add penne and toss lightly to coat with sauce, sprinkle with grated cheese, and serve with additional grated Parmesan.
• Variation:
• Penne with Salsa and Cilantro
• Prepare as directed, substituting 2 cups milk, medium or hot salsa for caponata, beef broth for chicken, and coarsely chopped cilantro for basil, and toss in 1/3 cup crisp bacon crumbles along with pasta.
• Tips:
• Cook the penne while the sauce simmers. To save on dish-washing, use a skillet that's pretty enough to go to the table.

SEARED ITALIAN MARINATED BREAST OF CHICKEN WITH TOMATO AND BASIL

Steps:

• To make the marinade, in a small bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic, rosemary, sage, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Slice the chicken breasts on the diagonal into thirds. Using a large knife or cleaver, lightly pound each piece to flatten slightly. Place in a shallow glass or ceramic dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, cover, and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, turning occasionally.
• To make the sauce, in a medium-sized saucepan, heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil over moderate heat. Add the garlic and saute for about 4 minutes, or until lightly browned. Stir in the tomatoes with their juices, the red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in half of the basil leaves. Remove from the heat and cover to keep warm.
• Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat until very hot. Drain the chicken, discarding the marinade. Add the chicken to the hot pan, without crowding, and saute for 5 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown on both sides and just cooked through. (Cook the chicken in batches or in 2 pans if necessary.) Transfer to a large, warm serving platter.
• Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over the tomato sauce and pour over the chicken. Sprinkle the remaining basil over the top and serve.
• Note: Cook time does not reflect marinating time of at least 8 hours.

MOROCCAN-SPICED CAPONATA AND BASIL HERO

Steps:

• Make caponata:
• In a large heavy saucepan toast spices over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in eggplant, bell peppers, onion, garlic, water, lemon juice, sugar, and salt and pepper to taste and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes, or until eggplant is almost tender. Stir in zucchini and simmer uncovered, until vegetables are tender and most liquid is evaporated, about 5 minutes. Cool caponata slightly and transfer to a bowl. Chill caponata, covered, until cold, about 2 hours. Caponata may be made 3 days ahead and chilled, covered.
• Halve bread horizontally with a serrated knife and make 1 large hero with caponata and basil. Cut hero into 4 pieces.