Chicken With Figs Pollo Con Higos Food

CHICKEN WITH FIGS (POLLO CON HIGOS)

Steps:

• Pour enough boiling water over the figs in a heatproof bowl to cover them completely.
• Add 1 tbs. sugar to figs.
• Let stand until the figs are softened, about 20 minutes, depending on your figs. (You don't need to do this if you are using fresh figs.).
• Cut off the skin from the slab bacon, then cut the bacon into ½ inch slices. (To remove the skin from the bacon, start by using a paring knife to separate the skin from the fat at one corner, then lift the skin up as you continue cutting, making it easier to see what you're doing.).
• Cut the slices crosswise into ½ inch strips.
• Toss the bacon pieces into a large cold skillet and put the pan over medium heat.
• Cook the bacon, stirring it once or twice, until it starts to give up its fat.
• Cook, stirring often, until it is well browned, about 10 minutes.
• Scoop the bacon onto paper towels with a slotted spoon and set aside, then pour off almost all the fat from the pan reserving about 1 tbs. of fat.
• Add the celery, onion, carrot, and thyme to reserved fat and cook, still over medium heat, until lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
• Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir everything together until the flour coats the vegetables and picks up all the fat.
• Adjust the heat to low and keep stirring until there are no traces of raw white flour sticking to the vegetables, which would give an unpleasant taste to the finished sauce.
• Stir in the tomato paste and cook for a minute or two.
• Take the pan off the heat and pour in the cognac. Return the pan to the heat and boil until the cognac is almost evaporated.
• Stand back from the pan once you add the cognac; there is a chance it could burst into flames.
• Pour the broth into the pan, stirring to dissolve the flour.
• Toss in the bay leaves and cloves and bring to a boil.
• Adjust the heat so the sauce is at a gentle boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is lightly thickened, about 30 minutes.
• Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper.
• Pour enough vegetable oil into a large deep skillet to lightly coat the bottom.
• Heat over medium-high heat until the oil is rippling.
• Add as many pieces of chicken skin side down to the pan as will fit without crowding.
• Cook, turning once, until dark golden brown on both sides, about 10 minutes. The chicken doesn't have to be cooked through; it will finish cooking in the sauce.
• Transfer the browned pieces to a large paellera or Dutch oven and brown the rest of the chicken, in batches if necessary.
• Skim off any foam or fat that rises to the surface of the sauce as it cooks.
• Strain the sauce, discard the vegetables and add sauce to the browned chicken.
• Drain the figs and discard the liquid.
• Scatter the bacon and figs over the chicken, breaking up some of the figs as you go to help the sauce thicken.
• Bring the sauce to a boil, cover the paellera and cook until the chicken is tender and the figs are very soft and have started to dissolve into the sauce, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Serve with yellow rice.
• * If your stovetop is occupied, you can finish cooking this dish in an oven preheated to 350°F It will take about the same amount of time as the stovetop version. Handle the wide, heavy pan carefully when moving it into and out of the oven.
• * If using fresh figs, wash them gently and cut them into quarters before adding. Otherwise, proceed as above.

LOMO SALTADO WITH MUSHROOMS AND ONION

Steps:

• Pound pork chops to 1/4-inch thickness. Season with salt and pepper, then lightly coat in flour.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Saute chops until nicely browned on each side; set aside.
• Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the skillet. Cook mushrooms and onion, stirring occasionally, in the oil for about 5 minutes or until softened. Stir in 3 tablespoons of the flour.
• Lower heat to medium; add soy sauce and vinegar. Cook about 1 minute, then add 1/2 cup water. Stir and cook about 2 minutes until the sauce is thickened. Add pork chops back to skillet, cover and cook 3-5 minutes longer. Garnish with cilantro if desired.

SOFRITO (DAISY MARTINEZ)

Steps:

• Pulse onion and Italian frying pepper or Cubanelle in the food processor until coarsely chopped.
• With the motor running, add remaining ingredients, one at a time, until mixture is smooth.
• Sofrito keeps 3 days in the refrigerator; freeze for longer storage (can be used without thawing).
• NOTES: Ajices Dulces, also known as cachuchua or ajicitos, are tiny peppers with only a hint of heat. They look similar to scotch bonnets or habaneros, so don't get them confused! If you cannot find them , use a little more cilantro and a pinch of cayenne or crushed red pepper flakes.
• NOTE: Culantro has long tapered leaves with serrated edges. If you cannot find it, just leave it out.

CHICKEN AND BISCUITS FROM SCRATCH

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F.
• Chop the celery and the onion into small pieces.
• Cut the bacon into 1/2" wide strips, like you are making bacon bits.
• Brown bacon and remove from pan and place on paper towel.
• Take 2 tablespoons of bacon grease and put into a sauce pan. Make sure that the sauce pan is at least 3 quarts.
• On medium heat cook the celery and onion until the onion is translucent, roughly 10 minutes.
• Add the 1/3 Cup of flour to the celery and onion and mix together.
• Add the chicken stock and stir. Let the mixture get close to boiling.
• Add the sour cream, bacon, and chicken pieces and stir while letting it heat.
• Turn the heat down, and begin to make the biscuits.
• In a large bowl mix together the flour, salt, sugar, and baking soda.
• Add the shortening, and use a pastry cutter to make the mixture into fine crumbs.
• Add the milk and use a fork to mash the mixture together. Knead the dough a few times and make into a ball.
• Roll the dough with a rolling pin into a 1/4" thick sheet. Cut out the biscuits.
• Pour the soup into a 9x13-inch casserole dish and place the cut out biscuits on top.
• Cook in the oven for 22-24 minutes. Just make sure that the top of the biscuits are golden brown.

MOJITO SAUCE

Steps:

• Bang the garlic and salt to a paste using a mortar and pestle.
• Stir in the onions, then the remaining ingredients. Taste and add a little salt if you like.
• You can make the mojito in advance, up to about 3 days, and keep it in the refrigerator. Bring it to room temperature about an hour before serving.

BRAISED CHICKEN WITH FIGS, HONEY & VINEGAR

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Sprinkle the chicken legs with sea salt. For best results, cover and leave in the fridge overnight. When ready to cook, wipe off the salt and trim any excess flesh.
• Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed pan, add the chicken skin side down, and cook for about 6 minutes or until coloured. Add the butter to the pan, and turn the chicken over to baste.
• Add the onions and wine and simmer until the liquid has reduced by half. Add the vermouth and the stock, being careful not to cover the chicken completely.
• Bring to a simmer and sprinkle the chicken with the crushed peppercorns. Transfer pan to oven. Roast for about 30 - 40 minutes or until thoroughly cooked.
• Whilst the chicken is cooking, warm the honey and vinegar slightly.
• Once cooked through, remove the chicken and onions from the pan and put to one side to keep warm.
• Add the warmed honey mix to the sauce and simmer until reduced by half.
• Place the figs in a large clean pan, cut side down, and strain the reduced sauce over the figs. Cook for 5 minutes, basting frequently until the figs have slightly softened.
• Serve the chicken leg with the figs and onion quarters.
• Add parsley to the sauce, check seasoning and pour over.