Jeff Mauro Food

GREEK LEMON CHICKEN SOUP AKA AVGOLEMONO

Steps:

• In a large stockpot, bring the chicken stock to a boil. Add the chicken breasts and then lower to a simmer. Simmer until the chicken is just cooked through and the internal temperature registers 160 degrees F, 15 to 20 minutes; remove to a bowl. Once cooled, shred the chicken and reserve.
• Add the orzo or rice to the pot with the chicken stock and cook until al dente, 5 to 8 minutes.
• In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites to soft peaks. In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and most of the lemon juice, reserving some to add later as needed. Fold the egg yolk mixture into the egg whites. Once combined, ladle in some hot stock to temper the egg mixture, whisking constantly and adding the hot liquid slowly. Very slowly, add the warm whipped egg/lemon mixture into the pot, whisking constantly to prevent any curds or clumps from forming. Continue to cook over medium-low to medium heat, whisking, until the soup thickens, about 10 minutes more.
• Add the shredded chicken and any reserved juices to the soup. Add the lemon zest and season with salt and plenty of freshly cracked black pepper. Taste and add additional lemon juice if needed. Garnish with chopped parsley.

CHEDDAR AND BACON PINWHEELS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crispy, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and allow to cool slightly, then finely chop. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, stir together the cream cheese and scallions. Season with salt and pepper.
• Unfold the pastry sheets on a lightly floured work surface. Lightly roll each piece of pastry into a 10-inch square. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the entire surface of each piece of pastry, leaving a slight border around the edges. Sprinkle the Cheddar and bacon in an even layer over the top of the cream cheese mixture. Tightly roll each pastry sheet into a log (jelly roll style), then pinch the seam closed and place seam-side down on the work surface.
• Using a sharp knife, cut both logs crosswise into 12 pinwheels each, approximately 1 inch thick. Transfer 12 pinwheels to each prepared baking sheet, spiral-side up. In a small bowl, whisk the egg and 1 tablespoon water until combined to make an egg wash. Brush the tops and sides of the pinwheels with the egg wash.
• Bake the pinwheels until puffed and golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve warm.

BUTTERMILK-BRINED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• For the pickled red cabbage slaw: In a small saucepan, add the vinegar, sugar, bay leaves, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil. Put the onions and cabbage in a large heatproof bowl or container and pour the boiling liquid over them. Toss to coat. Let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator and up to overnight. Right before serving, add the parsley.
• For the pork chops: In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk, hot sauce, granulated garlic, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Add the brine and pork chops to a large ziptop bag, making sure the pork chops are evenly coated. Close tightly. Allow the chops to sit for 2 hours on the counter and up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
• Set up a breading station with one plate of the flour, one bowl of the eggs and one plate of the breadcrumbs.
• Remove the pork chops from the brine and allow any excess to drip off. Bread the pork chops by evenly coating them in the flour, followed by the egg and finishing with the breadcrumbs.
• Fit a rimmed baking sheet with a wire rack. Pour enough oil into a 12-inch cast-iron skillet to come halfway up the sides of the pork chops and heat over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the pork chops to the skillet in batches and shallow-fry until golden brown or a thermometer reads 135 degrees F, 3 to 5 minutes per side. (If the pork chop breading is getting too dark while cooking in the oil, finish the pork chops in the oven at 350 degrees F until an internal temperature of 135 to 140 degrees F is reached.) Remove the chops to the baking sheet and season with salt.
• Serve the chops with the slaw and mustard.

EASIER PORCHETTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.
• To make the rub, put the garlic in the food processor and pulse to get it started. Add the oregano, parsley, thyme, sage, anchovies, and giardiniera, salt and pepper, lemon zest and juice. Pulse together. Add the oil and pulse some more until it forms a paste.
• To butterfly your pork, place the meat fat cap side down on your cutting board. Using a super sharp knife, slice the pork lengthwise parallel to the counter, starting about an inch above the fat cap. Slice along the meat so that it unrolls as you cut along. Try to cut it so that the meat touching the counter as it unrolls is uniformly thick. Make smaller slashes in any thicker spots.
• Season the pork with salt and pepper. Rub the herb-anchovy mixture all over the inside of the pork. Roll it up and, using butcher's twine, tie it very tightly about every two inches. Score any visible fat in a crosshatch pattern and season the outside with salt and pepper. Place the pork onto a roasting rack in a roasting pan, fat cap side facing up. Pour 1 cup of water in the bottom of the pan to keep the drippings from burning.
• Roast until super fork tender and "pullable" and the internal temp registers 200 degrees F, about 4 1/2 to 5 hours. Take out and let rest for at least 20 minutes.
• Pour the liquid and renderings from the roasting pan into a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat until slightly reduced. Season to taste.
• Either pull or carve the roast-your preference. I like to carve it so you can see the stuffed interior. Place on a platter, garnish with plenty of parsley, and serve with the pan sauce and fresh lemon wedges.