Chicken Scarpariello With Soft Parmigiano Polenta Food

CHICKEN SCARPARIELLO

Steps:

• Heat a large, heavy skillet over medium high heat. Cut chicken into large chunks and season with salt and pepper and poultry seasoning. Add 1 tablespoon extra-virgin oil to the hot pan, 1 turn in a slow stream. Set chicken into pan and do not turn for 2 or 3 minutes or you will tear the meat. Brown chicken 3 minutes on each side and then remove all of the chicken to a warm plate. Add bell peppers, hot peppers and garlic to the pan. Saute the peppers and garlic for 5 minutes, tossing and turning them frequently. Add wine to the pan and reduce 1 minute. Scrape up the pan drippings. Add the chicken stock and bring it up to a bubble. Set the chicken back into the pan. Toss the parsley with the chicken and peppers and cook the chicken through, 2 or 3 minutes. Scatter a little hot pepper juice over the pan and serve the Scarpariello over a bed of lemon orzo. WOW!
• Cook orzo in salted water about 12 minutes, to al dente. Drain orzo well. Do not run under cold water. You want the cooked pasta to remain hot. Transfer pasta to a serving bowl. Drizzle orzo with a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Add lemon zest and parsley and toss to combine the flavors with the pasta.

RAO'S CHICKEN SCARPARIELLO (SHOEMAKER'S CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. In batches, brown the chicken, skin side down to start, about 5 minutes on each side. Remove the chicken to a plate. Add the sausage and sauté until brown, about 3 to 4 minutes. (They will not be cooked all the way through at this point.) Remove with a slotted spoon, cut into 1-inch slices and set aside.
• Remove all but 2 tablespoons oil from the pot and sauté the bell peppers, jalapeños, onion and garlic until soft and beginning to brown, about 5 minutes.
• Return the sausage to pot, add the cherry peppers, potatoes (if using), chicken broth, wine, vinegar, oregano and season with salt and pepper. Gently mix together, then transfer everything in the pot to a roasting pan. Nestle the chicken in the vegetables and sausage and roast in the oven until chicken is cooked through and sauce has reduced slightly, about 30 minutes.

CHICKEN SCARPARIELLO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place chicken in roasting pan and set aside. Mix mustard, lemon juice, wine, garlic, pepper, rosemary and oil in a bowl and pour over chicken halves. Marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight. After fully marinated, add carrot, celery, onion and rosemary to roasting pan evenly around and under chicken. Season with salt and pepper. Roast in oven for 45 minutes or until juices run clear when pierced with a fork. Remove from oven and let settle. Cut into 8 pieces. Serve with Scarpariello Sauce.
• Heat a medium size saute pan, add olive oil and saute for 1 minute. Add broccoli, mushroom and potatoes, saute for 2 minutes. Add chicken, wine and cook until wine reduces. Add chicken stock, cover and cook on low-flame for 10 minutes. To plate, remove chicken from pan and place on large platter. Add lemon, rosemary and butter to remaining sauce. Season to taste. Pour over chicken.

SOFT PARMESAN POLENTA

Steps:

• In a medium-size saucepan, bring the milk, 2 cups water and bay leaf to a boil. Season generously with salt, almost to the point of over seasoning. How do you know that you are there? TASTE IT! When it has reached a boil, slowly whisk in the polenta in small sprinkles. Once all of the polenta has been incorporated, reduce the heat to medium and immediately switch over to stirring with a wooden spoon. Cook the polenta until it begins to pull away from the pan, adding water to loosen it up if it becomes too thick.
• When the polenta is thoroughly cooked, it should look creamy and not feel gritty on your tongue. Remove it from the heat and stir in the Parmesan and mascarpone.