Mediterranean Puff Pastry Chicken Food

MEDITERRANEAN PUFF PASTRY CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a small bowl, use a fork to combine crushed garlic and egg yolk. Place chicken breasts in a shallow glass dish and spread both sides with egg mixture. Cover dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 hours, or overnight (recommended).
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a baking sheet.
• Place one half of the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured board. Place 1/2 cup spinach in the center of the pastry sheet. Remove one chicken breast from marinade, shaking off any excess, and place on top of spinach. Spread 1 tablespoon pesto over chicken, layer with half the sun-dried tomatoes, sprinkle with half the feta cheese, and top with 1/2 cup spinach. Fold pastry sheet around chicken, using fingers or fork to seal pastry seam. Place chicken seam side down on baking sheet. Repeat steps with the second half of the puff pastry sheet and remaining chicken breast.
• Bake 35 to 40 minutes. Test for doneness by cutting through center of chicken breast; if juices run clear, chicken is cooked.

CHICKEN IN PUFF PASTRY

Steps:

• Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper; set aside. On a lightly floured surface, roll puff pastry into a 14-in. square. Cut into four squares. , Spoon 2 tablespoons cream cheese into the center of each square; top with Muenster cheese and chicken., Whisk egg and water; lightly brush over edges. Bring opposite corners of pastry over each bundle; pinch seams to seal. Place seam side down on a greased baking sheet; brush with remaining egg mixture. , Bake at 400° for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown.

MEDITERRANEAN SLICES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Unroll the pastry and cut into 4 rectangles. Take a sharp knife and score a 1cm edge inside each rectangle, taking care that you don't cut all the way through the pastry. Place on a baking sheet.
• Spread 1 tbsp pesto onto each slice, staying inside the border, then pile up the peppers and artichokes. Cook in the oven for 15 mins until the pastry is starting to brown.
• Tear the mozzarella ball into small pieces, then scatter it (or use cheddar, if you prefer) over the veg. Return to the oven for 5-7 mins until the pastry is crisp and the cheese has melted. Serve with a green salad.

CHICKEN IN PUFF PASTRY

Steps:

• Heat oven to 430 degrees F.
• Combine cheese, basil, garlic, salt and pepper in processor until smooth and basil is finely chopped.
• Unfold both pieces of pastry carefully.
• Roll out on lightly-floured surface to 14 x 10 inch rectangle about 1/8 inch thick.
• Cut in half crosswise into 7 x 10 inch rectangle; repeat with second sheet of pastry.
• Spread ¼ of cheese mixture lengthwise, in approximate size of chicken breast, across center of each rectangle.
• Place chicken breast over, skinned side down.
• Lift long sides of pastry to meet in center over top of chicken; pinch overlap and short ends to enclose chicken snuggly.
• Trim away excess pastry leaving pinched overlap.
• Arrange seam side down, 2 inches apart, on a greased baking sheet; brush generously with beaten egg.
• Bake until puffed and golden and chicken is cooked through, 18-22 minutes.
• Note: Using Boursin Cheese in this recipe in place of the cream cheese is very nice, too.

MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN THIGHS WITH POTATOES, PEPPERS AND FETA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degree F. Heat a large, high-sided, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the skin side of the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Add the olive oil to the hot pan and place the chicken in the pan, skin-side down. Sprinkle the other side of the chicken with salt and pepper. Let the chicken cook until it easily releases from the pan and is golden brown, about 8 minutes. Flip the chicken and allow to cook for an additional 2 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.
• Turn the heat down to medium and add the onion, peppers and red pepper flakes and sprinkle with salt. Let the vegetables cook, stirring regularly, until slightly wilted, about 3 minutes. The natural liquid from the vegetables will help deglaze the pan. Add in the potatoes and garlic and sprinkle with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, for an additional 3 minutes. Add in the tomatoes, vinegar, oregano, thyme and artichoke hearts. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and stir to combine. Turn off the heat and nestle the chicken thighs on top of the vegetables.
• Transfer the pan to the oven and bake, uncovered, until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees F and the potatoes are fork tender, about 35 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle with feta cheese and parsley.

CHICKEN FLORENTINE IN PUFF PASTRY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place spinach in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave on medium power for 6 minutes. Remove cover and stir. Remove to a strainer and let cool.
• While the spinach is cooking, butterfly the chicken without cutting all the way through. Whisk egg and water together in a small bowl. Unfold pastry sheet and cut down the folds to make 3 equal pieces.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat and add chicken. Saute until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove to a plate.
• Squeeze spinach to remove excess water. Combine spinach with garlic, lemon juice, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, thyme, salt, and pepper; mix well.
• Put 1/3 of the spinach mixture in each open chicken breast and top with a 1 slice of provolone cheese. Fold the top of each chicken breast in order to sandwich the spinach and cheese in between. Place each chicken breast on a piece of puff pastry; wrap the pastry around the breast and tuck underneath to seal. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and brush with egg wash.
• Bake in the preheated oven until pastry is golden brown, about 30 minutes.

CHICKEN-FILLED PASTRY (B'STEEYA)

Steps:

• To prepare the filling:
• 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• 2. In a heavy-bottom large stockpot over medium-high heat, add the oil. Season the chicken thighs with salt and black pepper. Working in batches, add the chicken to the hot oil and brown on both sides, 5 to 6 minutes total. Remove the browned chicken to a plate and reserve.
• 3. To the same pot add the onion, garlic, nutmeg, mace, cinnamon, cloves, and saffron, and sauté them until they are soft and lightly golden, 5 to 6 minutes. Add 2 cups of chicken stock to the pot and scrape up any brown pieces sticking to the bottom of the pan. Add the chicken back into the pot with any juices, and add more stock as needed to bring the liquids up to the chicken without submerging it. Bring the liquids to a boil. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and place in the oven until the chicken is cooked through and very tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• 4. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it to a plate and let it cool. Shred the cooled chicken into small, bite-size pieces. Reserve for assembly.
• 5. Place the pot of braising liquid over medium heat and reduce the liquids to about 1 cup. Add the butter, brown sugar, parsley, cilantro, and eggs to the pot and cook, stirring constantly, until the eggs are scrambled. Remove from the heat and reserve for assembly.
• To assemble the b'steeya:
• 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Brush a paella pan or skillet lightly with olive oil.
• 2. Lay out, one by one, 10 sheets of phyllo dough onto the pan, brushing each with a little olive oil before placing the next layer on.
• 3. Spread the shredded chicken in a layer in the center of the phyllo, leaving plenty of space for the edges to fold up. Spread the egg mixture over the chicken and top with the almonds.
• 4. Fold the overhanging phyllo dough over the filling to enclose it in a pocket inside the skillet. Brush the top lightly with olive oil and bake until the pastry is crisp and golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes.
• 5. Garnish the finished b'steeya with powdered sugar and cinnamon. Cut into wedges and serve warm.

CHICKEN IN PUFF PASTRY WITH MADEIRA SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• Place chicken breasts on baking sheet and season with salt and pepper.
• Broil until almost cooked through, about 4 minutes per side.
• Chill until cool, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375^F.
• In a large nonstick saucepan, saute spinach over medium heat until just wilted, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer to a bowl.
• In the same skillet, melt butter over medium high heat and add shallots.
• Saute until tender, about 3 minutes.
• Add all of the mushrooms and saute until beginning to soften, about 2 minutes.
• Add wine and tarragon and simmer until almost all of the liquid has evaporated, about 7 minutes.
• Season and cool.
• Oil a large heavy baking sheet.
• Roll out each sheet of puff pastry to 12 inch squares.
• Cut each square in half crosswise to form four 12x6 inch rectangles.
• (If the chicken breasts are large, either cut to fit the pastry or roll out the pastry into larger squares.) Place chicken breasts crosswise at the short end of the rectangle.
• Spoon the spinach on top of chicken.
• Spoon mushroom mixture on top of spinach.
• Fold long sides of rectangle over chicken and roll up jellyroll style.
• Pinch edges to seal.
• Brush pinched edges with beaten egg.
• Place pastries seam side down on prepared baking sheet.
• Brush with beaten egg.
• Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes.
• Place on plates and spoon sauce over.
• For the Madeira Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium high heat.
• Add minced shallots and saute until golden, about 3 minutes.
• Add both broths and the 1/2 cup Madeira.
• Boil until reduced to sauce consistency, about 15 minutes.
• Strain into small saucepan and add additional tablespoon of Madeira.
• Season.
• The sauce can be prepared well in advance and kept covered in the refrigerator.