Chicken Spinach Cannelloni With Red Bell Pepper Sauce Food

CHICKEN IN RED PEPPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Put the chicken in a medium Dutch oven or heavy pot and add the bell pepper and chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce the heat to medium low; gently simmer until the chicken is just cooked through, about 12 minutes. Transfer the chicken and bell pepper to a plate using a slotted spoon; let cool. Shred the chicken.
• Add the beans to the pot with the broth. Increase the heat to high, cover and cook until crisp-tender, 7 minutes. Transfer the beans to a colander using a slotted spoon, reserving the broth in the pot; rinse under cold water and let drain. Transfer to a medium bowl and toss with the lemon juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Meanwhile, lightly toast the almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat, 1 to 2 minutes; remove to a plate and set aside. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and the garlic to the skillet. Cook until softened, about 1 minute. Add the bread. Cook, stirring often, until golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer the garlic and bread to a blender or food processor along with the bell pepper, 1/2 cup of the warm broth, 1 tablespoon each capers and parsley, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Puree until smooth; transfer to a large bowl.
• Add the chicken to the red pepper sauce; season with salt and toss. Top each serving with the remaining capers and parsley; serve the green beans on the side, sprinkled with the almonds.

SPINACH AND RED PEPPER-STUFFED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Mix together the spinach, peppers, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Butterfly the chicken: Holding your knife parallel to the cutting board, slice a breast through the middle, stopping about 1/2-inch short of the other side. Open the breast up like a book and flatten it with your palm. Place between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet to a little less than 1/2-inch thick. Repeat with the remaining breasts.
• Divide the spinach mixture into four portions and place a portion in the center of each breast. Roll the breasts tightly around the filling and secure with kitchen twine. Sprinkle all over with salt and pepper.
• Heat the oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the roll-ups and cook until golden brown on all sides, about 6 minutes. Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the filling registers 160 degrees F, another 6 to 8 minutes.
• Transfer the roll-ups to a cutting board and cover loosely with foil. Return the skillet to the stovetop over medium heat (be careful, the handle will be very hot). Add the shallots and cook until softened, stirring, about 1 minute. Add the wine and boil until reduced by half, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the chicken broth; boil until reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Off the heat, whisk in the butter and season with salt and pepper.
• Cut away the twine and slice the chicken into 1-inch rounds. Serve with the pan sauce and sprinkle with parsley.

CHICKEN WITH RED PEPPER SAUCE AND SPINACH

Steps:

• In a shallow bowl, whisk egg white. In another shallow bowl, mix bread crumbs and salt. Dip chicken in egg white, then roll in crumb mixture., In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add chicken; cook until a thermometer reads 165°, 4-5 minutes per side. Meanwhile, place spinach in a steamer basket; place in a large saucepan over 1 in. of water. Bring to a boil; cover and steam just until tender, 3-4 minutes., Process peppers, garlic and Italian seasoning in a food processor until smooth. Transfer to a small microwave-safe bowl; cover and microwave until heated through., Divide spinach among 4 plates. Serve with chicken; top each plate with about 2 tablespoons red pepper sauce, 2 tablespoons cheese and, if desired, basil.

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.