Drunken Chicken I Food

DRUNKEN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Remove any fat pockets from the chicken. Rub chicken with about 2 tsp. salt. Rinse the chicken under cold water and drain on a rack.
• In a 6-quart pot, or a pot large enough to fit the chicken, bring 3 quarts cold water to a boil over high heat, covered. Carefully add chicken, breast-side up, adding more boiling water, if necessary, to completely cover chicken. Cover and return to a boil over high heat. When the broth returns to a rolling boil, boil vigorously over high heat, uncovered, 17 minutes, removing any scum that rises to the surface. Remove from heat. Using 2 heavy spoons, carefully transfer hot chicken to a colander in the sink. Slowly pour 4 quarts ice water over the chicken, until chicken is warm to the touch.
• Return the chicken cooking liquid to a rolling boil over high heat. Again, carefully add the partially cooked chicken, breast-side up, adding more boiling water, if necessary, to completely cover chicken. Return to a boil over high heat, uncovered. When the broth returns to a rolling boil, boil vigorously over high heat, uncovered, 17 minutes, removing any scum that rises to the surface. Remove from heat. Using 2 heavy spoons, carefully transfer hot chicken to a colander in the sink. (The chicken should register 170 degrees when tested with a meat thermometer at the meatiest part of the thigh. If not, return to the pot and simmer several more minutes.) Slowly pour the remaining 4 quarts of ice water over the chicken in the colander, until chicken is warm to the touch. Save the chicken broth and reserve for soups.
• Place the chicken on a rack and air-dry 30 minutes in a cool and breezy room. Sprinkle the entire surface of the chicken with 3⁄4 tsp. salt. With a meat cleaver, chop the chicken through the bone into bite-size pieces, reserving any chicken juices (or disjoint into serving pieces). Place the chicken in a casserole dish and pour rice wine over the chicken. Cover and marinate 1 to 2 hours at room temperature, occasionally basting chicken with rice wine. Pour reserved juices back into the casserole.
• Meanwhile, place scallions, ginger, and remaining 1½ tsp. salt in a small heatproof dish. In a small skillet, heat oil over high heat until hot but not smoking. Carefully pour hot oil over scallions and ginger. The oil will make a crackling sound as it hits the scallions and ginger. Serve chicken with scallion-ginger sauce at room temperature.

DRUNKEN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Sprinkle 2 tablespoons salt on the chicken, making sure to season the inside of the cavity. Leave the chicken at room temperature for 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, bring 4 quarts of cold water to a boil over medium-high heat in a 7-quart Dutch oven. Add 2 tablespoons salt, the ginger and whole scallion. Slowly lower the chicken into the boiling water with the breast side up. Bring the water back up to a gentle boil.
• Carefully lift the chicken out using the handles of 2 wooden spoons or 2 pairs of chopsticks positioned under the wings; be careful not to tear the skin (do not use tongs as they can easily tear the skin). Lift the chicken just high enough and tilt it so all the water drains from the cavity into the pot; this allows cold water in the cavity to drain and ensures even cooking.
• Lower the chicken back into the water. Bring the water back to a gentle simmer and reduce the heat to low. Cook, covered, until the juices run clear when the chicken is pierced between the leg and thigh, 33 to 35 minutes. Right before the chicken is done, prepare a large bowl of ice water.
• Transfer the chicken to ice water breast-side down; reserve the liquid the chicken poached in. Let the chicken cool for about 10 minutes, flipping it once after about 5 minutes. (The ice bath prevents the chicken from overcooking, but also helps to firm the meat and tighten the skin.) Remove the chicken, letting the excess water drain off.
• Whisk together 2 cups of the reserved poaching liquid, the wine, sugar and 1 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl until the sugar dissolves. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
• Carve the chicken with a meat cleaver or chef's knife: Start by detaching both leg quarters (leg and thigh together) from the body. Chop the leg quarters through the bone into roughly 3/4-inch pieces. Cut off the wings and drumettes. Split the wing flat lengthwise to expose the meat. Cut the breast bone down the center to separate the two breast halves. Cut each half through the bone into 3/4-inch pieces. Lay the chicken pieces in a 2-quart casserole dish in a single layer.
• Sprinkle the goji berries if using around the chicken. Pour the wine mixture over the chicken making sure it's submerged; add a little more poaching liquid if it's not. Cover and refrigerate overnight or up to 2 days.
• Serve cold, taking the chicken pieces out of the marinade and garnishing them with the goji berries and thinly sliced scallions if using.

DRUNKEN CHICKEN

Steps:

• 1. Wipe the chicken inside and out with paper towels. Combine all the marinade ingredients in a large heavy-duty plastic bag set over a bowl. Add the chicken and seal the bag with as little air as possible, leaving it in the bowl. Marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for a day, turning it from time to time; the bag ensures that all of the chicken is kept moist with marinade.
• 2. To roast the chicken, heat the oven to 425°F (220°C/Gas 7). Take the chicken from the marinade, pat it dry with paper towels, and sprinkle it inside and out with salt and pepper. Discard the marinade. Truss the chicken, set it on its back in a roasting pan; cut the butter in slices and set them on the breast. Roast the chicken, basting often, until it sizzles and starts to brown, about 15 minutes. Turn the chicken onto one leg and continue roasting for another 15 minutes, basting often. Turn the bird onto the other leg and roast for 15 more minutes. And finally, turn it onto its back to finish cooking, allowing 50 minutes to 1 hour total cooking time. To test, lift the bird with a two-pronged fork and pour juice from the cavity; it should run clear, not pink.
• 3. Meanwhile cook the pearl barley: melt the butter in a heavy pan, add the onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, until it is soft but not brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the barley and sauté 2 to 3 minutes until the grains look transparent. Add the stock with salt and pepper, cover, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, and simmer until all the liquid is absorbed, 30 to 40 minutes. Taste, and if the barley is not tender, add more stock and continue simmering.
• 4. Toast the almonds: Spread them on a baking sheet and brown them in the oven with the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes, watching carefully that they don't burn. Let them cool. When the barley is cooked, sprinkle the prunes, apricots, and almonds on top and leave, covered, to keep warm. The barley pilaf can be stored in the refrigerator up to 2 days and reheated on top of the stove just before serving.
• 5. When the chicken is done, transfer it to a platter and cover it with foil to keep warm. Discard fat from the pan, leaving behind the cooking juices. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the sweet white wine and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring to dissolve the juices. Add the stock and simmer again until the gravy is slightly thickened and reduced by half. Strain it into a saucepan, reheat it, taste, and adjust the seasoning.
• 6. If necessary, reheat the barley pilaf. Add the marjoram or parsley; stir to mix all the ingredients and taste for seasoning. Discard trussing strings from the chicken and spoon the barley pilaf around it. Moisten it with a little gravy and serve the rest separately.
• Quick fix:
• Cut the chicken into 6 to 8 pieces, or use ready-prepared breasts or thighs (my recommendation). Marinate them for 1 to 2 hours. Drain and pat the pieces dry on paper towels, then coat them in seasoned flour. Melt the butter in a sauté pan or skillet and fry the chicken pieces until well browned on all sides. Cover the pan and roast in a 350°F (175°C/Gas 4) oven until the chicken pieces are very tender when pierced with a two-pronged fork, 20 to 30 minutes. Transfer them to a platter and keep warm. Discard excess fat from the pan and make the gravy as directed.

DRUNKEN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Spray 9x13 baking dish (a cake pan is fine) with non-stick cooking spray.
• Spread Cream of Mushroom soup on bottom of pan.
• Place chicken breasts in single layer on top of soup.
• Place a slice of cheese on each breast.
• Next, place a scoop of Cream of Chicken soup on top of the cheese.
• Mix Stove Top and wine in a bowl until stuffing is moistened.
• Using your hand, gently press a scoop of the moistened stuffing onto each of the chicken breast.
• Cover the pan with foil.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 60 minutes.
• Remove foil and bake another 15 minutes or until stuffing gets crisp on top.
• Use a spatula to remove breasts from the baking dish onto plates.
• Enjoy!