Chicken With 40 Cloves Of Garlic Barefoot Contessa Food

CHICKEN WITH 40 CLOVES OF GARLIC

Steps:

• When I was young, this old French classic was still - though in a quiet way - very much in vogue. I dare say it was because the novelty of using so many garlic cloves had not worn off; it seemed somehow dangerously excessive. Even so, I don't think anyone would think it quite unremarkable now to put 40 cloves of garlic in a casserole. Certainly, if you peeled and chopped - let alone minced - the garlic, it would be inedible, but garlic cloves cooked encased in their skins grow sweet and caramelly as they cook, like savory bonbons in their sticky wrappers, rather than breathing out acrid heat. This is a cozy supper, not a caustic one.
• This dish entered my canon under someone else's auspices. A few years ago, for the fortieth birthday of a then-colleague and friend of mine, Nick Thorogood, his partner asked everyone to contribute something written expressly for purpose to be compiled in a fat tribute of a book. Since most of Nick's and my conversation dwells, with almost fetid passion, on food, it seemed only proper to write a recipe for him. And given that it was his fortieth birthday, this seemed the right recipe.
• It is not quite the classic version (not that there is only one: food is as variable as the people who cook it) but it sticks to the basic principles. Maybe because the white meat on chicken tends towards the utterly tasteless these days, I prefer to use not a whole chicken, but thigh portions only. Naturally, this wouldn't make sense if you were raising your own chickens, then slaughtering them for the pot, as was the custom when this recipe came into being (and very good it would have been, too, for adding oomph to an old bird) but if you're following the contemporary shopping model, it works very well. For some reason, I veer towards recipes that can easily be cooked in one of my wide and shallow cast-iron Dutch ovens and this fits the bill perfectly.
• By all means, add some steamed or boiled potatoes alongside if you wish, but I'd prefer, by far, a baguette or two to be torn up and dunked into the flavorsome juices; though don't rule out the option of sourdough toast, which is the perfect vehicle for spreading the sweet-cooked garlic onto. Otherwise, some green beans or baby peas or a plain green salad is all you need for a sure-fire salivation-inducing supper.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat the oil on the stovetop in a wide, shallow ovenproof and flameproof Dutch oven (that will ultimately fit all the chicken in one layer, and that has a lid), and sear the chicken over a high heat, skin-side down. This may take 2 batches, so transfer the browned pieces to a bowl as you go.
• Once the chicken pieces are seared, transfer them all to the bowl. Finely slice the scallions, put them into the Dutch oven and quickly stir-fry them with the leaves torn from a few sprigs of thyme.
• Put 20 of the unpeeled cloves of garlic (papery excess removed) into the pan, top with the chicken pieces skin-side up, then cover with the remaining 20 cloves of garlic. Add the vermouth (or white wine) to any oily, chickeny juices left in the bowl. Swish it around and pour this into the pan too. Sprinkle with the salt, grind over the pepper, and add a few more sprigs of thyme. Put on the lid and cook in the oven for 1 1/2 hours.
• Make Ahead Note: Chicken can be browned and casserole assembled 1 day ahead. Cover tightly and store in the refrigerator. Season with salt and pepper and warm the pan gently on the stovetop for 5 minutes before baking as directed in recipe.
• Making Leftovers Right: If I do have any chicken left over - and I don't think I've ever had more than 1 thigh portion - I take out the bone then and there and put the chicken in the refrigerator. Later (within a day or two), I make a garlicky soup, by removing the chicken, adding some chicken broth or water to the cold, jelled juices, placing it over a high heat and, when that's hot, shredding the chicken into it and heating it through thoroughly, till everything is piping hot. You can obviously add rice or pasta. Otherwise, mash any leftover garlic into the concentrated liquid (which will be solid when cold), chop up some leftover chicken, and put it all into a saucepan with some cream. Reheat gently until everything is piping hot, and use as a pasta sauce or serve with rice.

CHICKEN WITH FORTY CLOVES OF GARLIC

Steps:

• Separate the cloves of garlic and drop them into a pot of boiling water for 60 seconds. Drain the garlic and peel. Set aside.
• Dry the chicken with paper towels. Season liberally with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat the butter and oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. In batches, saute the chicken in the fat, skin side down first, until nicely browned, about 3 to 5 minutes on each side. Turn with tongs or a spatula; you don't want to pierce the skin with a fork. If the fat is burning, turn the heat down to medium. When a batch is done, transfer it to a plate and continue to saute all the chicken in batches. Remove the last chicken to the plate and add all of the garlic to the pot. Lower the heat and saute for 5 to 10 minutes, turning often, until evenly browned. Add 2 tablespoons of the Cognac and the wine, return to a boil, and scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Return the chicken to the pot with the juices and sprinkle with the thyme leaves. Cover and simmer over the lowest heat for about 30 minutes, until all the chicken is done.
• Remove the chicken to a platter and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of the sauce and the flour and then whisk it back into the sauce in the pot. Raise the heat, add the remaining tablespoon of Cognac and the cream, and boil for 3 minutes. Add salt and pepper, to taste; it should be very flavorful because chicken tends to be bland. Pour the sauce and the garlic over the chicken and serve hot.

GARLIC ROAST CHICKEN

Steps:

• As soon as you get the chicken home, salt it inside and out, wrap it and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• When you are ready to cook the chicken, first preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Pat the outside of the chicken dry with paper towels. Liberally salt and pepper the inside of the chicken and stuff the cavity with the all the garlic and lemon. Tie the legs together with kitchen string and tuck the wing tips under the body of the chicken. Place it in a roasting pan just large enough to hold it and the vegetables. Scatter the onion slices, carrots and potatoes around the chicken. Brush the outside of the chicken with the butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Roast the chicken for 1 1/2 hours, or until the juices run clear when you cut between a leg and thigh. Remove the chicken to a platter and cover with aluminum foil. Place the vegetables back in the oven and continue cooking for an additional 15 minutes.
• When the vegetables are cooked, carve the chicken and place the slices on the platter surrounded by the vegetables. Drizzle some pan juices over the chicken and vegetables.

PENNE ARRABIATA

Steps:

• In a medium (10-inch) pot or Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset, warm the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the garlic has softened and is lightly browned.
• Meanwhile, drain the tomatoes, place them in a food processor fitted with the steel blade, and pulse until they're roughly chopped. With a slotted spoon, transfer the garlic to the food processor and pulse again to chop the garlic. Pour the tomato mixture into the pot with the olive oil, add the fennel, red pepper flakes, red wine, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in the basil, taste for seasonings (it will be very spicy!), and keep warm over very low heat.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a full boil. Add 2 tablespoons kosher salt and the penne and cook according to the directions of the package.
• Two minutes before the pasta is al dente, using a wire or spider strainer, lift the pasta out of the boiling water and add it to the sauce, along with 1/4 cup of the pasta water. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, until the pasta is al dente. Spoon the pasta into low shallow bowls, sprinkle with extra basil and Parmesan cheese, and serve hot.

40-CLOVES-OF-GARLIC CHICKEN ALFREDO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for the pasta.
• Thinly slice 5 garlic cloves. Heat about a 1/2 inch vegetable oil in a small skillet over medium heat, then add 1 slice of garlic. Cook until the garlic is at a lively sizzle, then sprinkle in the rest of the garlic. Cook, stirring, until the garlic is just golden and crisp (don't overcook or it will be bitter), about 1 minute. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and whole garlic cloves and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing occasionally, until both the chicken and garlic are golden brown, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the wine and adjust the heat so the sauce is simmering, then cover and cook until the chicken and garlic are tender, about 10 minutes.
• Uncover and adjust the heat so the sauce reduces and is syrupy, about 1 minute. Add the cream and simmer until slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes; reduce the heat to low and keep warm.
• Meanwhile, cook the pasta until al dente according to the package directions. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water. Add the pasta to the simmering sauce and toss to coat, adding a little pasta water if it seems dry. Remove the skillet from the heat, then stir in the Parmesan and remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Sprinkle with the parsley and serve in pasta bowls topped with the garlic chips.

BAREFOOT CONTESSA'S CHICKEN WITH 40 CLOVES GARLIC

Steps:

• Separate the cloves of garlic and drop them into a pot of boiling water for 60 seconds. Drain the garlic and peel. Set aside.
• Dry the chicken with paper towels. Season liberally with salt and pepper on both sides.
• Heat the butter and oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
• In batches, saute the chicken in the fat, skin side down first, until nicely browned, about 3 to 5 minutes on each side.
• Turn with tongs or a spatula; you don't want to pierce the skin with a fork. If the fat is burning, turn the heat down to medium.
• When a batch is done, transfer it to a plate and continue to saute all the chicken in batches.
• Remove the last chicken to the plate and add all of the garlic to the pot.
• Lower the heat and saute for 5 to 10 minutes, turning often, until evenly browned.
• Add 2 tablespoons of the Cognac and the wine, return to a boil, and scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
• Return the chicken to the pot with the juices and sprinkle with the thyme leaves. Cover and simmer over the lowest heat for about 30 minutes, until all the chicken is done.
• Remove the chicken to a platter and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm.
• In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of the sauce and the flour and then whisk it back into the sauce in the pot.
• Raise the heat, add the remaining tablespoon of Cognac and the cream, and boil for 3 minutes.
• Add salt and pepper, to taste; it should be very flavorful because chicken tends to be bland. Pour the sauce and the garlic over the chicken and serve hot.

40 CLOVES AND A CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Season chicken with salt and pepper. Toss with a 2 tablespoons olive oil and brown on both sides in a wide fry pan or skillet over high heat. Remove from heat, add oil, thyme, and garlic cloves. Cover and bake for 1 1/2 hours.
• Remove chicken from the oven, let rest for 5 to 10 minutes, carve, and serve.

CHICKEN WITH 40 CLOVES OF GARLIC

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Cut the top third off 2 heads of garlic, exposing the tops of the garlic cloves. Put each head on a piece of aluminum foil. Drizzle each with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap tightly and roast until the cloves are golden brown and very soft, about 45 minutes. Let cool slightly. Leave the oven on.
• Unwrap the roasted garlic and pour any garlic-flavored oil from the foil into a small bowl. Squeeze the roasted cloves into the same bowl, discarding the papery shells. Mash with a fork until smooth; set aside.
• Peel and trim the remaining head of garlic. Thinly slice 5 cloves. Heat about 1/2 inch vegetable oil in a small skillet over medium heat, then add 1 slice of garlic. Cook until the garlic is at a lively sizzle, then sprinkle in the rest of the sliced garlic. Cook, stirring, until the garlic is just golden and crisp (don't overcook or it will be bitter), about 1 minute. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt. Set aside.
• Sprinkle the chicken generously with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in 2 batches skin-side down and cook, flipping once, until golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
• Discard the oil and return the Dutch oven to medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and the remaining garlic cloves and cook until the garlic is light golden, about 3 minutes. Add the wine and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Cook until the wine is reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Stir in the chicken broth, lemon juice, thyme and half of the reserved garlic paste. Bring to a boil.
• Use a fork to mash together the flour and remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a small bowl until smooth. Whisk the butter-flour mixture into the Dutch oven until dissolved. Cook until thickened, about 1 minute. Nestle in the chicken skin-side up along with any collected juices from the plate. Cover and bake until the chicken is cooked through, about 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the Parmesan, parsley and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to the remaining garlic paste. Stir to combine and season with salt and pepper.
• Put the bread halves on a baking sheet and spread with the garlic mixture. When the chicken has 10 minutes left, add the bread to the oven and bake until toasted, about 10 minutes.
• Cut the bread into pieces. Top the chicken with the reserved garlic chips and chopped parsley.

CHICKEN WITH 40 CLOVES OF GARLIC

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 400°F.
• Brine the chicken: Dissolve 1/4 cup salt in 2 quarts cold tap water in large container or bowl. Submerge chicken pieces in brine and refrigerate until fully seasoned, about 30 minutes. Rinse chicken pieces under running water and thoroughly pat dry with paper towels. Season both sides of chicken pieces with pepper.
• Meanwhile, toss garlic and shallots with 2 teaspoons olive oil and salt and pepper to taste in 9 inch pie plate; cover tightly with foil and roast until garlic is softened and beginning to brown, about 30 minutes. Shake pan once to toss the contents after 15 minutes (foil can be left on during tossing). Uncover, stir, and continue to roast, until browned and fully tender, about 10 minutes longer, stirring once or twice. Remove from oven and increase oven temperature to 450°F.
• Using kitchen twine, tie together thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf and set aside.
• Heat remaining 1 teaspoon oil in 12-inch heavy-bottomed ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat until it begins to smoke. Swirl to coat pan with oil. Brown chicken pieces skin-side down until deep golden, about 5 minutes. Turn chicken pieces and brown until golden on second side, about 4 minutes longer.
• Transfer chicken to large plate and discard fat. Off the heat add vermouth, chicken broth, and herbs, scraping bottom of skillet with wooden spoon to loosen browned bits.
• Set skillet over medium heat, add garlic and shallot mixture to pan, then return chicken, skin-side up to the pan, nestling pieces on top of and between the garlic cloves.
• Place skillet in oven and roast until instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of breast registers about 160 F about 10 to 12 minutes. If desired, increase heat to broil and broil to crisp skin about 3 to 5 minutes.
• Using potholders or oven mitts, remove skillet from oven and transfer the chicken to a serving dish. Set the skillet aside on the stovetop, reserving the liquid.
• Remove 10 to 12 garlic cloves and place in a mesh sieve and set aside. Using a slotted spoon, scatter the remaining garlic cloves and shallots around the chicken and the discard herbs.
• With a rubber spatula push reserved garlic cloves through the sieve and into a bowl. Discard the skins.
• Add the garlic paste to the remaining liquid in the skillet. Bring to a simmer over medium high heat, whisking occasionally to incorporate the garlic. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Whisk in butter. Pour sauce into sauceboat and serve with the chicken.

CHICKEN BAKED WITH 40 CLOVES OF GARLIC

Steps:

• Sealing Dough:.
• Add the water, flour, salt and olive oil in a bowl. Stir to form a paste. Use the dough on the casserole to seal.
• Chicken:.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully add the chicken pieces. Cook the chicken until golden brown on all sides. Remove chicken from the oil onto a kitchen towel to absorb excess fat. Discard the oil.
• Place the seared chicken pieces in a casserole (one with a tight fitting lid) that holds the chicken pieces snugly. Add the rosemary, thyme, bay leaves, wine and garlic. Place the lid on the casserole and seal with the sealing dough. Transfer the casserole to the oven. Bake for 2 hours.
• Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Crack the sealing dough to open the lid. Carefully remove the chicken onto 4 large dinner plates. Divide the garlic and cooking juices and serve.

CHICKEN WITH 40 CLOVES OF GARLIC

Steps:

• Put the oil in a shallow dish and add the chicken pieces; coat evenly with oil.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• In a heavy 6-quart casserole, combine the celery, onions, parsley and tarragon. Lay the oiled chicken pieces on top. Pour on the vermouth. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and a dash of nutmeg. Tuck the garlic cloves in and around the chicken pieces. Cover the casserole tightly with aluminum foil, then the lid. Bake 90 minutes without removing the lid.
• Serve chicken, pan juices and garlic cloves with French bread. Diners should squeeze the buds of garlic from their husks onto the bread, then spread the garlic like butter.