Junior League Ancho Bock Beer Smashed Potatoes Food

PAN ROASTED CHICKEN WITH CRUSHED BLACKBERRY-ANCHO SAUCE AND GREEN ONION SMASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• For the puree: Combine the ancho and water in a small bowl and let stand 30 minutes. Drain well, reserving the soaking liquid. Remove the seeds and stems and puree in a food processor with the garlic, cilantro and 1/2 cup of the liquid, adding more if needed.
• For the sauce: Melt the butter in a medium or large nonreactive saucepan over medium heat. Saute the celery, carrot and onions until the celery and carrot are tender and the onions are translucent, about 7 minutes. Add the peppercorns and continue cooking 2 more minutes. Add the port, red wine, cranberry juice concentrate, ancho puree, sugar and stock, stirring constantly and making sure to scrape the bottom of the pan. Cook until the mixture is reduced by half, strain, season to taste with salt and pepper and fold in the blackberries.
• For the chicken: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, chile powder and season with salt and pepper. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
• Saute 2 cloves of garlic and spinach. Cool down over ice.
• Divide the spinach among the chicken breasts, placing it in the center of each. Roll up the meat and tie with kitchen string. Dredge the rolls in the flour mixture and shake off the excess.
• In a large ovenproof saute pan over medium-high heat, heat the oil until almost smoking and sear the rolls until slightly crusty, about 1 minute on each side. Place the pan in the oven and cook the meat an additional 8 minutes for medium. Let rest before slicing.
• For the potatoes: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Brush scallions with some of olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Place on a sheet pan and roast for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and coarsely chop. Toss the potatoes with the remaining olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast until just a bit overcooked but not brown. As soon as they come out of the oven, place the potatoes in a large mixing bowl, add the garlic, scallions, and butter. Smash with a potato masher to achieve a rustic texture, not smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

PERFECT SMASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Put 1 3/4 pounds baby potatoes in a pot and cover with water. Add 2 bay leaves, 2 garlic cloves and a big pinch of salt; bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain, discarding the bay leaves and garlic. Toss the potatoes with 2 tablespoons olive oil, transfer to a baking sheet and smash with a spatula or measuring cup. Drizzle with more olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Broil, turning, until crisp and golden, 15 to 20 minutes.

JUNIOR LEAGUE - CRAB CAKES WITH AVOCADO SAUCE

Steps:

• For the Avocado Sauce, combine the avocado, sour cream, cilantro, lemon juice, sugar, salt and pepper in a food processor. Process until smooth. Chill, covered, until serving time.
• For the crab cakes, reserve half the bell peppers and half the scallions for the garnish. Combine the remaining bell peppers, remaining scallions, cilantro, crab meat, salt, pepper, thyme and Tabasco sauce in a bowl and mix gently. Stir in the mayonnaise. Add the bread crumbs and toss lightly.
• Shape the mixture into 3 inch patties. Handle the mixture gently, as it should barely adhere. Sauté the crab cakes in a nonstick skillet over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes or until golden brown on both sides.
• Puddle some of the Avocado Sauce in the center of each serving plate. Arrange 1 crab cake on each plate. Sprinkle with the reserved bell peppers and reserved scallions. Serve immediately.

JUNIOR LEAGUE - GREEN BEANS WITH PECANS AND BLEU CHEESE

Steps:

• Whisk shallots, 1 tablespoon of oil, vinegar and mustard in a bowl. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet over medium high heat until hot. Add pecans and salt. Saute for 1 minute. Drain on a paper towel and chop coarsely.
• Blanch the beans in boiling water in a saucepan just until tender, drain. Plunge in ice water, drain. Combine the beans and mustard dressing in a bowl and toss to coat. Add the cheese and half of the nuts and toss. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with the rest of the nuts. Serve at room temperature.

JUNIOR LEAGUE - PORTOBELLO BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Spread bread into a 2 1/2 quart round baking dish. Saute garlic in 1 tablespoon oil until golden brown. Combine with Spinach and mix. Spoon over the bread.
• Sear mushrooms on both sides in 2 to 3 tablespoons of oil. Arrange mushrooms over the spinach. Sprinkle with cheese. Whish eggs, heavy cream, half and half, salt and pepper until blended. Pour over the top. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

JUNIOR LEAGUE - SAUTEED QUAIL WITH DRIED CHERRIES

Steps:

• For the quail, whisk the peanut oil, Beaujolais, jelly, soy sauce, shallots, tarragon, salt and pepper in a stainless steel saucepan. Heat just until warm. Pour over the quail in a shallow dish, turning to coat. Marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes or in the refrigerator for up to 10 hours, turning occasionally; drain. Saute the quail breast side down in a mixture of the butter and peanut oil in skillet; turn. Cook for 6 minutes longer or until cooked through. Remove the heated plate. Cover to keep warm. Discard pan drippings from the skillet and reserve the skillet to use in the preparation of the sauce.
• For the sauce, pour 1/2 cup of the Beaujolais into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave just until warm. Stir in the cherries. Let stand until plump. Deglaze the reserved skillet with the remaining 1 cup beaujolais. Stir in the shallots. Cook until reduced by half, stirring constantly. Stir in the cherries, stock, jelly and tarragon. Cook until reduced by half, stirring constantly. Whisk in the butter. cook until slightly thickened, stirring constantly. Season with salt and pepper.
• For the spinach, saute the spinach in the butter in a skillet until wilted. Season with salt and pepper.
• To assemble, divide the spinach evenly among 4 serving plates. Top each serving with 2 quail. Drizzle with the sauce.