Chicken Spinach Cannelloni In A Creamy Sauce Food

SMOKED CHICKEN CANNELLONI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the chicken: Using kitchen shears, remove the backbone of the chicken and set aside in the refrigerator for another use (such as Smoked Chicken Minestrone). Cut the chicken in half, straight through the breastbone. By separating the chicken into two pieces it will ensure that the chicken gets smoked more thoroughly. Sprinkle the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, the granulated garlic and smoked paprika.
• Place 1 deep aluminum roasting pan over the stove top. Line with aluminum foil. Add the soaked wood chips to a large piece of foil, and then fold in the sides to make a pouch. Punch holes in the top of the pouch, set it directly over a gas burner and turn on high. Leave for 2 to 3 minutes, watching carefully. Once it begins to smoke, using tongs, transfer the pouch to the bottom of the lined roasting pan. Set a wire rack over the chips in the lined roasting pan and position it so the wood chips are directly over the burner and continue to smoke. Place the chicken pieces bone-side down on the rack. Cover tightly with aluminum foil to seal in the smoke. Put the roasting pan into the oven and smoke until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, 45 to 60 minutes. Remove and cool. Shred the smoked chicken breast and set aside 1 1/2 cups for the cannelloni (reserve the rest for another use). Increase the oven to 375 degrees F.
• While the chicken is smoking, make the creamy roasted red pepper sauce: Bring the oil to medium heat in a large saucepot. Sweat the onions until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and sweat until fragrant, about a minute. Stir in the peppers and tomatoes. Simmer for 5 minutes. Working in 2 cup batches, process the sauce on high in a blender until smooth. Return the sauce to the pot, reduce the heat to low and whisk in the cream. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. If making ahead, cool before refrigerating for up to a week.
• For the cannelloni: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ricotta, cream cheese, 1 cup of the Parmesan, the egg and nutmeg with a wooden spoon. Fold in the reserved shredded chicken, spinach, tomatoes and some salt and pepper. Spoon the filling into a medium pastry bag fitted with a large open tip. Spread 1/2 cup of the creamy roasted red pepper sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9- by 13-inch gratin dish. Pipe about 2 1/2 tablespoons of the filling into the cannelloni shells and place them into the gratin dish. Spoon the remaining sauce over the cannelloni. Sprinkle with the panko and remaining Parmesan. Cover and bake until the filling is cooked through, about 30 minutes. Bake uncovered until the top is golden and bubbling, an additional 5 to 7 minutes. Remove and cool on a resting rack. Garnish with Parmesan and serve.

CANNELLONI

Steps:

• MEAT FILLING: Heat oil in a medium saucepan, add the onion and garlic, cook until tender.
• Add meat and cook until browned.
• Add oregano, basil, 2 tsp tomato paste, and cook uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring.
• Add chopped spinach and combine.
• Combine egg and cream, stir into meat mixture and season. Set aside.
• TOMATO SAUCE: Heat oil in the pan, add the onion and garlic, cook until tender.
• Add the puréed tomatoes, tomato paste, seasonings and simmer for 10 minutes, covered. Remove from heat and set aside.
• BÉCHAMEL SAUCE: Place sliced onion and peppercorns in the milk, bring slowly to the boil, remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes.
• Melt butter in a saucepan, add the flour first made into a thin paste (roux) to the saucepan.
• Strain the milk, discarding the onions and peppercorn, and slowly add to the saucepan whisking until it thickens, then add the cream and season to taste with salt and pepper -- set aside.
• ASSEMBLY (Once cooled): Cook the pasta according to package directions, then plunge into cold water to stop the cooking. Drain. Stuff the cooled meat mixture into the tubes - using either a small spoon or clean hands. I find it easy using disposable gloves. to fill them.
• Spread 3 tablespoons of the tomato sauce over the base of a large shallow dish, then arrange the filled cannelloni side-by-side over the sauce.
• Spoon the Béchamel Sauce over the cannelloni and then cover with the tomato sauce.
• Sprinkle the grated cheeses evenly on top and bake uncovered at 350ºF/175ºC for 30-35 minutes.
• Serve with Salads, Crusty bread and a nice glass of red wine.

CHICKEN CANNELLONI

Steps:

• To make chicken filling:.
• Cook chicken until pink is just gone - do NOT overcook!Chop finely or grind.
• Combine oil, onion, celery, carrots and parsley in saucepan and cook for 10 minutes.
• Beat egg yolks in large bowl, add parmesan and ricotta cheeses and beat until smooth. Add salt, oregano, basil, nutmeg and pepper.
• Add chicken and broth and beat until well mixed.
• This may be covered and refrigerated or frozen until ready to use.
• CHEDDAR SAUCE:.
• Melt butter in sauce pan, add flour and stir until smooth.
• Add chicken broth, stirring constantly. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Stir in cheddar cheese until well blended and thick. Now add prepared meat sauce and cream.
• Prepare Hollandaise Sauce and add to cheddar sauce.
• Cook cannelloni shells according to package directions.
• When cool, fill each shell ( a small spoon works well) with approximately 2 tablespoons of chicken filling.
• Spoon a thin layer of sauce into two 9"x13" baking dishes.
• PLace stuffed shells in dishes side by side 5 to a row. Spoon sauce around and over stuffed shells and sprinkle with Monterey Jack cheese.
• Bake at 425°F for 10 minutes until cheese is bubbling. Serve at once.
• To make ahead: prepare the entire recipe to the baking stage and freeze.

CHICKEN CANNELLONI WITH CHEESE SAUCE

Steps:

• THE NIGHT BEFORE (or early in the day): Cook lasagna noodles in 6 quarts boiling water for 5-7 minutes or until tender; drain, wipe noodles dry with a clean/dry cloth, lay flat on waxed paper.
• While noodles are cooking, melt butter and olive oil in a large skillet.
• Saute onion, garlic and mushrooms until they're tender; add remove from heat; set aside.
• Place cooked chicken in food processor and pulse until chicken resembles a tuna salad mixture.
• Combine chicken with the onions, garlic, mushrooms and the fat in which they were sauteed; add egg, cream and seasonings. Add spinach (cooked) and mix well.
• Cut each lasagna noodle into 2 or 3 pieces-each piece should be 3 to 4 inches long; place a tablespoonful of the chicken filling on each piece and roll into a tubular shape. If you don't want to make canneloni, just layer the ingredients like you would for lasagna.
• Arrange rolls next to each other, one layer deep, in a buttered baking dish; set aside while you prepare the cheese sauce.
• CHEESE SAUCE: Melt butter then add the flour and cook for a few minutes to get rid of the floury taste.
• Gradually add the chicken broth, whisking constantly to prevent lumps; add cream, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened and smooth; remove from heat. Stir in 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese and mix well.
• I like to use, both, red and white sauce on this one. I spoon over a strip of the white sauce, next to it I spoon on some red; keep doing that across the dish until the sauce covers the noodles. The red/white pattern makes it look pretty and gives the dish a little more flavor. It also cuts back on some of the fat.
• Spoon sauce over cannelloni in baking dish; sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese and Mozzarella cheese, if used; refrigerate until you're ready to bake it.
• BEFORE SERVING: Preheat broiler; place cannelloni 4-5 inches from heat and broil for 10 minutes or until sauce bubbles and top browns. If you'll be making lasagna, bake in a 350-degree oven for 25-30 minutes, or until it's bubbly and the top is browned a bit.

CHICKEN CANNELLONI (WITH OR WITHOUT SPINACH)

Steps:

• In a large skillet, simmer the chicken breasts, onion, broth, wine, and thyme, until chicken is done.
• Remove the chicken breasts to a plate and allow them to cool slightly.
• While the chicken breasts are cooling, strain the chicken broth to remove the onions and thyme.
• Reserve the broth into a large saucepan.
• Put the onions and thyme into your food processor.
• Chop or tear the chicken into big chunks, and put into food processor with the onions and thyme.
• Pulse the chicken in the food processor until finely chopped (you may need to divide the chicken into 2 batches).
• (I've also used my old, heavy meat grinder for this).
• Prepare spinach, if using. Wash well, chop, and lightly sauté in a saucepan with 2 tbs olive oil until done to your preference. I personally don't like "mushy" spinach. You may also substitute frozen chopped spinach, but be sure to squeeze it out really well.
• In a large bowl, mix the chicken/onion mixture with the ricotta and cottage cheese, spinach, 1/2 c parmesan, nutmeg, and white pepper.
• Mix thoroughly; set aside.
• In a large saucepan, melt butter.
• Whisk in flour, stirring constantly so it doesn't burn.
• Whisk in the reserved chicken broth, stirring constantly.
• Add the wine, and then the milk, stirring constantly, until sauce is velvety-smooth.
• Simmer, stirring frequently, about 20 minutes, while you start to assemble the canneloni.
• Assemble the canneloni: Lay 4-5 egg roll wraps out on the counter.
• Place approx 1/2 to 1 cup of chicken/cheese filling on center of wrap, and roll up, setting aside.
• Repeat until you're done.
• When sauce is done simmering, pour approx 1 cup sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.
• Tilt, to make sure it's spread evenly.
• Arrange canneloni in dish, and top with remaining sauce.
• Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup parmesan.
• Cover with foil, and bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.
• During last 10 minutes, take the foil off so that the parmesan browns.
• Allow to sit for about 10 minutes before serving.

CHICKEN CANNELLONI

Steps:

• Add 2 3/4 cup flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a food processor. Pulse a few times. Add eggs to a liquid measuring cup. Whisk to combine. While pulsing the flour, slowly add the egg mixture through the feeding tube. Continue to pulse until the dough forms into a ball. If the dough does not form a ball, add water a teaspoon at a time until it does.
• Leave the mixer on for 2-3 minutes with the dough in it. This will help knead it. Remove the ball, lightly dust with flour and knead for another 3-4 minutes. Wrap in plastic wrap and let the dough rest for 30 minutes at room temeparature.
• While the dough rests, make the filling. Add spinach to a medium skillet. Heat over a medium flame, stir until spinach wilts. Cool completely. If there is any excess moisture, drain or gently squeeze out of the spinach. Add chicken, ricotta, 1/4 cup parmesan, 1/2 tsp salt, nutmeg, egg, pepper, and cooled spinach to a large bowl. Mix to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Once the dough has rested, cut it into four different pieces. Take one piece and lightly dust it in flour. Cover the rest of the dough in plastic wrap. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough out so it's thin enough to fit through the pasta maker. Roll the dough through the pasta maker set on its widest setting. Roll the pasta through the pasta maker again, this time at the next setting. Repeat until you get to the second smallest setting (it's a two on my pasta maker). Repeat with remaining dough.
• Store the pasta sheets on a baking sheet dusted lightly with flour. Cut the pasta into 12, 4 1/2 x 5 1/2-inch rectangles. It's okay if they aren't exact.
• Grease a 9x12 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Pour enough marinara in the bottom of the pan to generously coat it. Use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to measure out a about 1/4 cup of the filling on to the top of each pasta sheet, horizontally. Roll the pasta up jelly-roll style and place in the prepared pan, seam-side down. Repeat for all 12 sheets. Pour remaining sauce on top. Cover with foil and bake in the oven until the pasta is cooked through, about 40 minutes.
• Remove the foil from the cannelloni, and sprinkle with mozzarella and remaining parmesan cheese. Place back in the oven and bake until cheese has melted. Garnish with fresh parsley.

CHICKEN CANNELLONI WITH CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Sauce.
• in a saucepan melt butter.
• Stir in flour, salt, pepper and nutmeg.
• add hot milk and cook, stirring, till sauce is smooth and thickened.
• cook over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Filling:.
• in skillet, heat olive oil and saute onion, celery, carrot and parsley for 10 minutes, or till vegetables are tender.
• Add chicken, salt, herbs, pepper and wine.
• Simmer till wine is reduced by half.
• Stir in 1/2 cup of the sauce.
• Preheat oven to 450.
• Cook cannelloni in boiling salted water for 8 minutes.
• Drain and rinse in cold water.
• on each cannelloni put 2 T of the filling and roll up.
• arrange 2 filled cannelloni in a butter au gratin dish for each serving.
• to remaining sauce add tomato sauce and cream. Stir to blend.
• Pour 1/2 cup of this sauce over each serving and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
• bake in very hot oven for 10 minutes or till top browns.

CREAMY CHICKEN / SPINACH & HAM MANICOTTI

Steps:

• 1. Cook manicotti shells according to package directions.
• 2. In a small skillet, saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic, cook 1 minute longer. In a small skillet, saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic, cook 1 minute longer. In a large bowl, combine the onion mixture, chicken, spinach, ham, cheese, eggs,ricotta, cream cheese basil, pepper, salt and nutmeg; set aside.
• 3. Sauce: Combine flour and chicken broth in a large saucepan until smooth; gradually stir in the milk, salt, nutmeg, pepper and cayenne. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat, and stir in the 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.
• 4. Spread 1 1/2 cups sauce into a 13 x 9 baking dish coated with cooking spray.
• 5. Stuff each pasta with chicken filling. ( An easier way to stuff is cut one edge lengthwise, open up and lay out flat. Spoon on filling, roll up and place seam side down in dish.) Sometimes I drizzle a tablespoon of cream sauce down the center before rolling. Don't worry of filling comes out the ends when placing in the dish, you can stuff it back in once placed.
• 6. Once all are stuffed and placed side by side in dish. Cover with sauce and sprinkle with desired amount of Parmesan cheese, and sprinkle with paprika.
• 7. Cover with foil, and place in preheated oven, for 30 - 35 minutes, until heated through and bubbly. Remove foil and continue baking for another 5 minutes to slightly brown top. If you have sauce left, save it for reheating leftovers.
• 8. Enjoy!

SPINACH AND CHICKEN CANNELLONI

Steps:

• Grease a large shallow casserole dish.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium high heat.
• Add the garlic and chicken and cook, stirring occasionally for about l0 minutes or until the chicken is cooked.
• Stir in the spinach and cook for about 2 minutes or until the spinach is wilted.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the ricotta and parmesan cheese, nutmeg, salt and pepper, stir until well combined.
• Spoon the mixture into a resealable plastic bag or a piping bag without a nozzle.
• Snip a corner of the plastic bag and pipe the chicken mixture into each cannelloni shell.
• Pour ⅓ of the sauce into the casserole dish.
• Place the cannelloni in a single layer on the pasta sauce.
• Pour the remaining pasta sauce over the cannelloni and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
• Bake, uncovered in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until the pasta is tender and the cheese is golden brown.