Chicken Fig And Pancetta Bites Food

BUFFALO POPCORN CHICKEN BITES

Steps:

• In a deep sided skillet heat 1 1/2 inches of vegetable oil over medium heat. If you wish to test the oil, add a 1-inch cube of bread to hot oil. If it turns deep golden brown in color in a count of 40, the oil is ready.
• While the oil is heating make the batter. In a wide mixing bowl combine 2 cups of the pancake mix, 1 1/4 cups water and about 6 teaspoons hot sauce. (Use a regular teaspoon you would stir coffee with ¿ that's what I did. I don't, technically, have a set of actual measuring spoons.)
• Place the remaining plain 1/2 cup pancake mix in another wide mixing bowl. Arrange the batter and the bowl of plain pancake mix near the cook top and the heating oil. Line a plate with a few sheets of paper towels and keep within reach.
• Once the oil is heated and ready, toss the chicken pieces in 2 teaspoons of hot sauce then toss in the plain pancake mix, coat evenly and shake off excess. The plain dry pancake mix will help the batter stick to the chicken pieces. Add some of chicken to the batter, you are going to want to work in 3 to 4 batches coating and frying. Using a fork, toss the bites in the batter. Remove the first batch from the batter, shaking off the excess batter as you carefully add them to the hot oil. Fry for 2 minutes on the first side, or until the first side is a deep golden brown, flip and continue to fry for another 2 minutes or until deep golden brown all over. Remove from the oil and drain on the paper towel lined plate, season with salt. Repeat until all the popcorn chicken bites are fried. Serve immediately with refrigerated, good quality creamy blue cheese prepared dressing with chopped scallions and black pepper stirred into it for dipping. Garnish platter with celery sticks.

MONTALCINO CHICKEN WITH FIGS AND BUTTERED GNOCCHI WITH PANCETTA AND NUTMEG

Steps:

• ** This dish uses Rosso di Montalcino wine (an affordable, younger version of Brunello -- I call it "Baby Brunello") but you can substitute any dry red wine you like.
• Heat a deep skillet over medium high heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil, 4 turns of the pan, and the cut pancetta. Brown the pancetta, 3 to 4 minutes then remove with a slotted spoon and reserve.
• Place a pot of water on the stove to boil for the gnocchi.
• While pancetta browns, season the chicken chunks with salt and pepper and dredge in a little flour then add to the hot pan. Brown the pieces a few minutes on each side over high heat, then scoot the meat to the edges of the pan and add the onions, garlic and chopped figs. Saute 5 minutes, combine chicken with onions and figs then add the wine and cook it down 5 minutes or so until only about 1/3 cup remains. Add chicken stock, parsley, lemon zest and thyme to the chicken and stir to combine. Reduce heat to simmer cook another 10 minutes, while you make the gnocchi.
• Add salt and gnocchi to boiling water and cook to package directions, drain, 4 minutes for fresh gnocchi, 6 minutes for frozen. Heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Melt butter and brown it. Drain gnocchi and add to skillet. Raise heat to medium-high and lightly brown the dumplings. Season gnocchi with salt, pepper and nutmeg, turn to coat and add chives, toss and remove from heat.
• Adjust the seasonings on the chicken with figs. If you would like a little more sauce, shake another half cup of stock into the pan. Serve the chicken and figs in shallow dishes, the gnocchi piled in the center of the bowl on top of the chicken. Garnish with crisp pancetta sticks.

HONEYED FIG, PANCETTA AND BLUE CHEESE TARTLETS

Steps:

• 1.Heat the oven to 375°F. Stir the pancetta, Honeyed Figs, rosemary, cheese and honey in a medium bowl. To make the Honeyed Figs: Place 6 whole dried figs, stems removed, into a medium bowl. Stir in 1 cup hot water and 2 tablespoons honey. Let stand for 1 hour. Drain the figs well in a colander. Coarsely chop the figs. 2.Unfold the pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Cut the pastry sheet into 3 (2 1/2-inch wide) strips. Discard the remaining pastry. Cut each pastry strip into 4 (2 1/2-inch) squares, making 12 in all. Press the pastry squares into 12 (1 3/4-inch) mini muffin-pan cups. Spoon 1 1/2 tablespoons pancetta mixture into each pastry square. 3.Bake for 20 minutes or until the pastries are golden brown. Remove the pastries from the pan and let cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Garnish with additional fresh rosemary, if desired. 4.Time-Saving: Fresh figs are in season in the fall and the spring. You can substitute 6 chopped fresh figs, stems removed, for the Honeyed Figs. Stir in with the pancetta, cheese and honey as directed in the first step.

FIG & PANCETTA AMERICAN STUFFING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/ gas 4 and grease a large baking tray. Fry the pancetta in a large, dry frying pan until crisp and golden, then transfer to a large bowl with a slotted spoon. In the same pan, fry the sausages until lightly browned, then add to bowl with the pancetta. Melt all the butter in the same pan and fry the onion, celery, rosemary and garlic for about 15 mins until very soft
• Meanwhile, put the cubes of bread on a baking tray and toast in the oven until pale golden. Cool, then blitz half the cubes in a food processor. Beat the eggs with the chicken stock.
• Add the figs, parsley and chestnuts to the pan with the onion mixture. Stir for a few mins, then transfer to the bowl with the pancetta and sausage. Add all the bread and a really generous sprinkling of seasoning. Using your hands, toss all the ingredients gently together, then add the egg and stock mixture.
• Divide the mixture into 16 balls and place on the prepared baking tray. Bake, covered with some greased foil, for 30 mins, then remove the foil and bake for another 10 mins until golden and crispy. Once you've taken the stuffing out of the oven, season again and serve.

CHICKEN, FIG, AND PANCETTA BITES

Steps:

• If using fresh figs proceed to the preheat instructions. If using dried figs, place a small pan of water on stove and bring to a simmer. Add figs and plump them in water for 5 minutes. Drain and cool. Preheat griddle or grill pan over medium to high heat. Cut chicken into large chunks: cut a tenderloin in half or cut a thigh into 3 chunks. Drizzle chicken with balsamic and oil and toss to coat. Wash hands and season chicken with salt and pepper. Place a half fig on each piece of chicken and wrap with 1 slice of pancetta. Skewer to secure and place on grill. Wash hands again. Grill chicken bites 4 to 5 minutes on each side.