Chicken Roulades With Apricot Stuffing Apricot Nectar Food

CHICKEN ROULADES WITH APRICOT STUFFING & APRICOT NECTAR

Steps:

• In a 10 inch skillet, cook onion, celery and basil in the margarine over moderate heat 5 minutes, until onion is softened
• Stir in apricots, raisins and 1/4 cup broth and cook until almost all liquid is evaporated, about 2 minutes
• Add mixture to bread cubes with salt and pepper to taste and toss until combined well
• Let stuffing cool
• Stuffing may be made a day ahead and refrigerated
• In a measuring cup, whisk together the apricot nectar, mustard and remaining cup of broth, and reserve
• Gently pound chicken breasts 1 at a time, between 2 sheets of plastic wrap until about 1/4 inch thick, trying not to make any holes in them
• Discard plastic and season chicken with salt and pepper
• Spoon stuffing down a long side of each cutlet, leaving a 1/2-inch border along the edge
• Roll up cutlets tightly to enclose stuffing, and secure top and seams, openings at both ends and any holes with wooden toothpicks
• Put cormeal with salt and pepper to taste in a shallow bowl and coat roulades evenly in mixture
• In cleaned skillet heat oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and brown roulades 3 minutes
• Arrange roulades in one layer in an 8-inch square glass baking dish
• Deglaze skillet with wine over moderate heat, scraping up any brown bits, and add to baking dish
• Pour reserved nectar mixture around (not on top of) roulades in baking dish
• Cover dish tightly with foil and braise roulades in the middle of the oven 30 minutes, or until just cooked through
• Transfer roulades to a cutting board and carefully remove toothpicks
• Transfer liquid in baking dish to a small saucepan and boil until reduced to about 1 cup
• Remove from heat and whisk in arrowroot and salt and pepper to taste
• Cut roulades diagonally into 1/4 inch thick slices and spoon sauce over top

ROAST CHICKEN WITH APRICOT STUFFING

Steps:

• Put 1/3 cup olive oil, the garlic, 1 tablespoon marjoram, the lemon zest and juice, paprika, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a mini food processor and pulse to make a paste. Loosen the chicken skin with your fingers. Rub the paste under and over the skin and inside the cavity. Put the chicken on a rimmed baking sheet and refrigerate, uncovered, at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Make the stuffing: Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the red onion, celery and dried apricots and cook, stirring, until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the bread and parsley and cook, stirring, until combined, about 2 minutes. Add the broth, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Transfer to a bowl and let cool completely.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Fill the chicken cavity with the stuffing, tie the legs together with twine and put breast-side up on a rack in a roasting pan; tuck the wings underneath. Roast until the skin begins to brown, about 30 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue roasting until deep golden brown, about 1 more hour. (Cover loosely with foil if it's browning too quickly.)
• Whisk the preserves and vinegar in a small bowl; brush on the chicken and continue roasting until the skin is crisp and a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F, about 20 more minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before carving. Garnish with marjoram sprigs.

INVOLTINI DI POLLO ALLA SALVIA (CHICKEN ROULADES WITH SAGE)

Steps:

• Once you have thinly pounded out your chicken breasts, cut each breast into two strips {slightly wider than your bacon slices}. Season chicken strips with salt and pepper.
• Place 2 sage leaves onto each strip of chicken. Roll chicken strips. Roll bacon over chicken roll and secure with toothpicks. Continue until all pieces are rolled.
• Into a frying pan add olive oil and heat over medium heat. Once oil is hot, add chicken roulades and cook, turning frequently, until bacon has brown/crisped on all sides. Reduce heat to low and continue cooking for approximately 10-15 minutes until chicken has cooked through {cooking time will depend on thickness of chicken}.

APRICOT NECTAR PUNCH

Steps:

• Combine the apricot nectar, thawed orange juice, water and lemon juice in a large bowl.
• Stir until well blended.
• Add the pureed apricots and blend well.
• Immediately before serving, slowly stir in the ginger ale.