Chicken Scarpiello 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.

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 PARMIGIANO POLENTA

Steps:

• Add the milk, bay leaf and 1 1/2 cups water to a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and season generously with salt, almost to the point of over seasoning. How do you know that you are there? TASTE IT! When the mixture 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 for 30 to 40 minutes, adding water to loosen it up if the polenta 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 Parmigiano and mascarpone.
• Serve immediately, or place a sheet of plastic wrap right on the surface of the polenta to prevent a skin from forming.
• To reheat: Add a little water to the polenta and heat over low to medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

CHICKEN SCARPARIELLO

Steps:

• Spear the peppers with a kitchen fork or skewer and hold them over an open flame until charred all over. Place the charred peppers in a paper bag or in a covered container until they are cool enough to handle. (This step completes the cooking of the peppers and facilitates removing the skin.) Rub off the skins (never run them under water, which washes away the flavorful oils), cut the peppers in half lengthwise, and discard the stems and seeds. Cut the pepper halves into 1/4-inch wide strips and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the chicken pieces with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook until lightly browned, about 2 minutes on each side. Transfer the chicken to a plate and reserve.
• Add the sausage to the skillet and cook until browned, about 2 minutes. (Reduce the heat as needed to keep the skillet from burning.) Toss in the mushrooms and cook along with the sausage, stirring until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the peppers and stir in the flour. Cook for 1 minute, stir in the vinegar, broth and tomato sauce and bring to a simmer, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper.
• Return the sauteed chicken pieces to the skillet along with any juices that have accumulated on the plate. Cover the skillet and simmer gently, until the chicken is just cooked through, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer the cooked chicken to a warm serving platter. Return the skillet to the heat and reduce the liquid until it thickens to a sauce consistency, about 1 to 2 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Spoon the sauce, mushrooms, peppers and sausage over the chicken. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley, and serve immediately.