Chicken En Croute Puff Pastry Food

CHICKEN EN CROûTE

Steps:

• 1.Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
• 2.Mix the mozzarella, basil and sun-blush tomatoes together in a bowl.
• 3.Cut a pocket in each of the chicken breasts and stuff with the mozzarella mixture.
• 4.Place a stuffed chicken breast into the middle of each square of puff pastry and roll up into parcels.
• 5.Brush each parcel with the beaten egg and bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until risen and golden-brown.

CHICKEN MARSALA EN CROUTE

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat butter over medium-high heat; saute mushrooms and shallots until tender, 3-4 minutes. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute longer. Stir in flour until blended. Gradually stir in broth and wine; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until slightly thickened, 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove to a bowl; cool slightly. Refrigerate, covered, until cold., Preheat oven to 425°. Pound chicken breasts with a meat mallet to even thickness. Whisk together egg and water. On a lightly floured surface, roll pastry sheet into a 14-in. square. Cut into four 7-in. squares. Place 1 chicken breast on center of each square. If desired, fold narrow end under to fit pastry square; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top each with 1 rounded tablespoon mushroom mixture. Lightly brush pastry edges with egg mixture. Fold pastry over filling; press edges with a fork to seal. Place on a rimmed parchment-lined baking sheet., Brush tops with egg mixture. Bake until golden brown and a thermometer inserted in chicken reads 165°, 18-23 minutes. Reheat remaining mushroom mixture; serve with pastries. If desired, garnish with thyme.

CHEESE AND HAM CHICKEN EN CROUTE

Steps:

• place the chicken flat on the rolled out puff pastry.
• Spread the cream cheese on top and then cover with the ham.
• Wrap the pastry over it and bake on a moderate oven for about 1 hour or until chicken is cooked.

CHICKEN IN PUFF PASTRY WITH MADEIRA SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• Place chicken breasts on baking sheet and season with salt and pepper.
• Broil until almost cooked through, about 4 minutes per side.
• Chill until cool, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375^F.
• In a large nonstick saucepan, saute spinach over medium heat until just wilted, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer to a bowl.
• In the same skillet, melt butter over medium high heat and add shallots.
• Saute until tender, about 3 minutes.
• Add all of the mushrooms and saute until beginning to soften, about 2 minutes.
• Add wine and tarragon and simmer until almost all of the liquid has evaporated, about 7 minutes.
• Season and cool.
• Oil a large heavy baking sheet.
• Roll out each sheet of puff pastry to 12 inch squares.
• Cut each square in half crosswise to form four 12x6 inch rectangles.
• (If the chicken breasts are large, either cut to fit the pastry or roll out the pastry into larger squares.) Place chicken breasts crosswise at the short end of the rectangle.
• Spoon the spinach on top of chicken.
• Spoon mushroom mixture on top of spinach.
• Fold long sides of rectangle over chicken and roll up jellyroll style.
• Pinch edges to seal.
• Brush pinched edges with beaten egg.
• Place pastries seam side down on prepared baking sheet.
• Brush with beaten egg.
• Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes.
• Place on plates and spoon sauce over.
• For the Madeira Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium high heat.
• Add minced shallots and saute until golden, about 3 minutes.
• Add both broths and the 1/2 cup Madeira.
• Boil until reduced to sauce consistency, about 15 minutes.
• Strain into small saucepan and add additional tablespoon of Madeira.
• Season.
• The sauce can be prepared well in advance and kept covered in the refrigerator.

GARLIC CHICKEN PARCELS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/200C Fan/gas 7. Cut a slit halfway in each chicken breast, then put each one between two pieces of baking parchment and bash with a rolling pin to flatten slightly.
• Cut your sheet of pastry in half widthways and put both halves on a baking tray. Sit a chicken breast on top of each half, then cram the cavities with the Boursin (don't worry if a bit of cheese oozes out). Season, scatter over the lemon zest then fold the edges of the pastry in to the centre and pinch shut. Flip each parcel over so the seal is on the bottom. Brush with a little oil, then bake for 30 mins until deep golden.
• About 10 mins before your parcels are ready, steam or boil the greens until tender. Toss in the oil and season. Serve alongside your chicken parcels with lemon wedges for squeezing over.