California Brick Chicken With Apricot Mint Chimichurri Food

CALIFORNIA BRICK CHICKEN WITH APRICOT-MINT CHIMICHURRI

Steps:

• Remove the backbone from one of the chickens. Split the breast plate and press down on the chicken in all joints to flatten it. Tuck the wings under so that the chicken lies flat. This will help it cook evenly. Repeat with the second chicken.
• In a small bowl, combine the chile powders, paprika, fennel, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper. Mix well, then rub the mixture all over the flattened chickens, making sure you get it into all the gaps in and around the joints. Marinate the chickens in the refrigerator for 1 hour uncovered. (Leaving the chicken uncovered helps the crust dry out and ensures you get a nice crispy skin when it cooks.)
• Heat a grill to medium heat and rub down the grates with a lightly oiled paper towel to clean it and create a nonstick surface. Place the chickens skin side down on the grill. Watch for flare-ups when the chicken initially hits the grill, as the fat will render and drip down. If necessary, move the chicken to a new spot out of the flames. This will occur only in the initial drop. Place foil-wrapped bricks on top of the chickens to flatten them as they cook.
• Cook for 15 minutes, then remove the bricks and flip the chicken. Cook for 18 to 20 minutes or until the internal temperature between the leg and thigh joint reaches 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.
• Transfer the chickens to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing each one into 10 pieces. Serve with apricot-mint chimichurri.
• Place the apricots and honey in a glass bowl; cover with hot water and soak for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in salted, boiling water, blanch the mint, parsley, and cilantro for about 30 seconds. Shock immediately in ice water and spread on a paper towel-lined sheet to dry.
• Remove the apricots from the hot water and roughly chop. In a food processor or blender, combine all ingredients except the olive oil and process until all ingredients are finely chopped. With the motor running, slowly incorporate the olive oil and pulse until just combined (the consistency should be like a thick sauce). Cover and store in the refrigerator to meld, about 10 minutes.

ROASTED LAMB WITH MINT CHIMICHURRI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Rub the lamb with 1/4 cup of the olive oil and season both sides with salt and pepper. Arrange the lamb fat-side up on a roasting pan and roast 15 minutes. Lower the temperature to 350 degrees F and roast until golden brown and a meat thermometer inserted in the center of the lamb reads 130 degrees F, another 25 to 30 minutes.
• While the lamb roasts, make the chimichurri. Combine the mint, parsley, oregano, garlic, serrano and 1 teaspoon salt in a food processor and blend. With the machine running, drizzle in the lime juice and remaining 1/2 cup olive oil and process just until fully combined. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
• Remove the lamb from the oven and allow it to rest for 10 minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute and the lamb will continue to cook. The temperature should read 140 degrees F. Slice the lamb against the grain and add to a platter. Top with some of the chimichurri and serve the remaining sauce alongside the meat at the table.

BRICK CHICKEN WITH APRICOT COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Toast cumin, coriander and cinnamon in a medium saucepan over low heat until fragrant. In a clean spice grinder or coffee grinder, blend spices until fine. Add the toasted spices to a bowl with paprika and cayenne. Season with kosher salt. Stir in the olive oil and lemon juice.
• Prepare chicken by splitting it down the back and removing the backbone, breast bone and rib cage. Lay the chicken out flat and rub the blended spices all over. Marinate for up to 4 hours or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Heat a large cast iron skillet (or other heavy oven-proof pan) over medium-high heat. When hot, add a 2 count of extra-virgin olive oil and place the chicken skin side down in the pan. Cover it with a second cast iron pan (you could also use a more traditional foil-wrapped brick) immediately so the skin doesn't have time to contract. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 10 to 15 minutes until chicken is golden brown and has a nice crust. Finish cooking in the oven for a further 20 to 25 minutes. Internal temperature between the leg and thigh should register 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, when cooked through. Serve with Mint Yogurt Dressing and Apricot Couscous.
• While chicken is cooking, combine yogurt, cilantro, mint, green onions, honey, lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, and salt and pepper, to taste, in a blender. Blend until mixture is fully combined and has a smooth consistency.
• In a medium saucepan add a 2 count of extra-virgin olive oil. Add the red onion, apricots and almonds and saute gently over low heat until translucent and slightly fragrant. Add the couscous then dump in the warm chicken broth. Stir with a fork to combine, add lemon zest and cover. Let sit for 10 minutes, then uncover and add the scallions, mint, and cilantro. Fluff again with a fork. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Toss gently to combine.
• Serve family-style on a large platter and garnish with fresh cilantro.

APRICOT MINT CHIMICHURRI

Steps:

• Place the apricots and 1 teaspoon honey in a heat-proof bowl and cover with boiling water. Soak the apricots for 10 minutes to plump. Remove the apricots from the hot water and roughly chop.
• In a food processor, combine the mint, parsley, cilantro, vinegar, lemon zest and juice, garlic, adobo sauce, cumin, paprika, salt, black pepper, red pepper, remaining tablespoon honey and olive oil and pulse until finely chopped. Add the rehydrated apricots and pulse until the consistency resembles a thick chunky sauce. Cover and store in the refrigerator to allow flavors to come together and serve with grilled meats.

CHIPOTLE-MANGO BARBECUE CHICKEN WITH CILANTRO CHIMICHURRI

Steps:

• Prepare the chicken: Put the mangoes, cilantro, chipotles, adobo sauce, vinegar, garlic, lemon juice, canola oil, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper in a food processor and puree until smooth. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
• Toss the chicken with half of the mango mixture in a resealable plastic bag and massage to coat the chicken with the sauce. Refrigerate at least 6 hours to marinate.
• Put the other half of the mango mixture in a small saucepan and simmer over low heat until thick, stirring often, about 15 minutes. Season with salt. Set some of the simmered mango sauce aside for serving and use the rest for basting.
• Preheat a grill to medium and brush with canola oil. Remove the chicken from the marinade, brushing off the excess marinade so it doesn't burn, and put on the grill. Grill the chicken, turning, until cooked through, about 30 minutes, basting with the simmered mango sauce during the last 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the chimichurri: Combine the cilantro, parsley, scallions, garlic, grapeseed oil, agave, lime juice, and salt and pepper to taste in a food processor and pulse to roughly chop. Continue processing until the sauce is finely chopped but not smooth (it shouldn't be a puree). Set aside at least 15 minutes before serving.
• Transfer the chicken to a platter and serve with the chimichurri and the reserved mango sauce.