Mexican Pollo Verde Almendrado Chicken In Green Almond Sauce Food

MEXICAN POLLO VERDE ALMENDRADO CHICKEN IN GREEN ALMOND SAUCE

Steps:

• Put the chicken pieces into a heavy casserole with the stock, bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer gently, covered, for 45 minutes, or until tender. Lift the chicken out onto a platter and set aside. Pour the stock into a jug. Rinse out and dry the casserole.
• In a blender or food processor combine the onion, garlic, parsley, coriander, lettuce, hot peppers, and almonds, and reduce to a coarse puree. Do not over blend as the finished sauce should have some texture, not be entirely smooth. Heat the oil or lard in a large, heavy skillet and pour in the puree, which will be almost paste like because of the almonds. Cook the mixture, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, for 3 to 4 minutes over moderate heat. Transfer it to a casserole. Stir in 2 cups of the stock, season to taste with salt. Add the chicken pieces, cover, and simmer just long enough to heat the chicken through. Serves 6.
• Arroz Blanco (White Rice) is good with this. For a completely Mexican meal, serve the chicken with the rice and with tortillas. Frijoles (Beans), and guacamole (Avocado Sauce).
• The Book Of Latin American Cooking.

CHICKEN IN ALMOND SAUCE

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375°F.
• Spread 1/4 cup almonds on a baking sheet and toast in oven until golden, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, finely grind remaining 1/2 cup almonds in a food processor about 1 minute (don't grind to a paste).
• Pat chicken dry and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Heat a dry 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, then toast ground almonds, cinnamon stick, oregano, and bay leaves, stirring constantly, until almonds are pale golden, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and wipe skillet clean.
• Heat oil in skillet over high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté chicken, turning over once, until golden, about 5 minutes total. Transfer chicken to a plate.
• Add bacon to skillet and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until bacon begins to render fat and turn golden, about 1 minute. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 3 minutes. Stir in ground- almond mixture and chicken broth and boil, scraping up brown bits, 1 minute. Stir in pepper and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add chicken, turning to coat, then reduce heat to moderate and simmer, covered, until chicken is just cooked through, about 5 minutes. Stir in parsley and sliced almonds. Discard cinnamon stick and bay leaves. Serve chicken with sauce spooned on top.

POLLO CON SALSA VERDE (CHICKEN WITH GREEN SAUCE)

Steps:

• Sprinkle the chicken with salt and black pepper to taste.
• Dredge both sides of chicken through the flour, shaking off excess.
• Melt the butter over med heat in a large heavy bottomed pot.
• Add the chicken and cook over med-high heat turning once, until both sides are well browned, but chicken is not quite cooked through (about 6-7 minutes per side).
• Remove chicken from the pot and keep warm.
• Pour the chicken broth into the pot and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
• Place the green salsa, garlic, jalapeño, cilantro, and cumin into the pot; bring to a boil.
• Just as the sauce begins to boil, reduce the heat to obtain a slow simmer. Add the chicken breasts back into the sauce and spoon sauce over each piece of chicken.
• Continue to cook until chicken is cooked through and tender (about 15 minutes).
• Taste the sauce and add more salt and pepper if desired.
• Place chicken on a serving platter and spoon sauce over each piece.
• Top each piece of chicken with a heaping tablespoon of sour cream and sprinkle some chopped green onion over the sour cream.