Michael Symons Chicken Fricassee Food

MICHAEL SYMON'S CHICKEN FRICASSEE

Steps:

• Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper.
• Brown chicken in oil in a heavy pan, in batches if necessary.
• While chicken is browning, tie the herbs and peppercorns in cheesecloth with a long piece of kitchen twine.
• Drain chicken and keep warm.
• Add butter to the pan with carrots, onions, garlic, and celery, salt and pepper. Saute until slightly soft, about 5 minutes.
• Sprinkle four over vegetables and quickly stir to mix with butter, then add the wine, a little bit at a time, so sauce does not clump.
• Reduce the wine by half, then add the chicken stock. Then add the cheesecloth wrapped herbs (bouquet garnis), tying the string to the pot handle so it doesn't get lost, and add chicken to pan.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 35 minutes or so, until chicken is done and tender.
• Whisk together the egg mixture in a small bowl and temper it by adding a small amount of the hot cooking liquid at a time, whisking constantly, so eggs do not curdle.
• Remove bouquet garnis from pan and stir in egg mixture and lemon zest, checking seasoning and adjusting with more salt and pepper if needed. Cook just one or two minutes to heat that, then remove from heat.
• Saute the onions and mushrooms in butter, seasoning with salt and pepper and cooking for about 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Add the wine to the saute pan and deglaze, stirring up any browned bits, and cooking until wine is reduced by half, a few minutes or so.
• Place some of the mushroom/onion mixture into a bowl and place some chicken and sauce on top. garnishing with parsley if desired.
• Cook's note: I recommend serving this with dry white wine, fresh baguette with softened herb butter and a tossed salad with freshly made vinaigrette and shaved parmesan (easy accompaniments for a large meal, or cut the recipe down using the serving sizer on the recipe page).

CHICKEN MILANESE

Steps:

• Cover the chicken breasts with plastic wrap and gently pound the chicken out to 1/4-inch thickness. Sprinkle the chicken with salt.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat to 360 degrees F.
• Season the flour with salt in a small bowl. Combine the panko and Parmesan in a small bowl. Begin breading the chicken by dredging it in the flour, then the beaten eggs, then the panko mixture, shaking off any excess in between. Let sit at room temperature for up to 30 minutes.
• Add the oil to the hot skillet, followed by 2 pieces of chicken. Cook until golden brown and crisp on both sides and the chicken is cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove the chicken to a wire rack and season it lightly with salt. Repeat with the remaining chicken, adding more oil to the pan as necessary.
• Serve with a lemon wedge on top of each piece of chicken.

CITY CHICKEN

Steps:

• Set up a grill for cooking with indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only.
• Thread the pork cubes onto eight 6-inch skewers, dividing evenly. Set aside.
• In a bowl, whisk together the flour and 1 teaspoon paprika. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside. In another bowl, whisk together the breadcrumbs and 1 teaspoon paprika. Season with salt and pepper and set aside. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs and remaining 1/2 teaspoon paprika. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside.
• Dredge the skewers in the flour, then egg, then breadcrumb mixture, shaking off any excess in between. Place a large cast-iron pan on the direct-heat side of the grill. Add enough olive oil to come 1 to 1 1/2 inches up the side of the pan. Once the oil is hot, add the pork skewers in batches. Do not overcrowd the pan! Cook, allowing to deeply brown on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Once all the skewers are browned, return them all to the pan, then move the pan to the indirect-heat side of the grill and finish cooking until the internal temperature reaches 150 degrees F, 15 to 20 minutes more. Serve!

MOM'S CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, rosemary, chile flakes, nutmeg, salt, pepper and garlic. Place the chicken pieces in a resealable bag and pour the marinade in, coating all of the meat. Allow the chicken to marinate, refrigerated, 1 to 4 hours or up to overnight.
• Set up a grill for cooking with indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only. Allow the temperature to come up to 375 degrees F.
• Remove the chicken from the marinade. Place the chicken pieces skin-side up on the indirect-heat side of the grill and close the lid. Cook the chicken until almost cooked through, about 10 minutes. Move the chicken pieces over to the direct heat side of the grill and cook until nicely charred and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove from the grill and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

TUSCAN STYLE ROASTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Set up a grill for cooking with direct and indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only. Place a large cast-iron pan on the direct-heat side of the grill to preheat.
• Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper on both sides. Add a film of olive oil to the pan, followed by the chicken pieces, skin-side down. Allow the chicken to deeply brown, 4 to 5 minutes, then flip and add the garlic. Briefly sauté until fragrant, then deglaze with the vermouth. Scatter in the tomatoes, olives and oregano bundle. Add the chicken stock and season with salt and pepper. Move the pan to the indirect-heat side of the grill and close the lid. Allow to cook until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reads 160 degrees F, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the butter. Discard the oregano bundle. Top with the basil and serve.

CHICKEN PARMESAN MEATBALLS WITH SOFT POLENTA

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build hot coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only to medium-high heat.
• For the meatballs: Combine the ground chicken, ricotta, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, parsley, nutmeg, garlic, egg and onion in a medium bowl until just mixed. Do not overwork. Season with salt and pepper. Divide the mixture into 8 portions and roll into balls.
• Heat a cast-iron pan on the hot side of the grill until nice and hot. Brush the pan with enough olive oil to liberally coat the surface, about 3 tablespoons.
• Place the meatballs in the pan and cook, flipping them, until all sides are caramelized, about 3 minutes. Move the pan to the indirect-heat side of the grill and cover the grill. Cook for 5 minutes.
• For the sauce: Add the garlic, oregano and onion to the pan with the meatballs and saute until the onions begin to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the meatballs, then add the tomato puree and 1/2 cup water. Season with salt and pepper. Cover the grill and continue to cook until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is reduced slightly, 10 to 15 minutes.
• For topping and serving: Top the meatballs with the mozzarella, cover the grill and cook until the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes. Discard the oregano sprig. Spoon the meatballs on top of the Soft Polenta. Spoon any remaining sauce over top and serve topped with the Parmesan and basil if using.
• (Alternatively, you can cook the meatballs and the sauce as directed in a cast-iron skillet on the stovetop over medium heat, then transfer the skillet to a 400 degrees F oven for 10 to 15 minutes before melting the cheese.)
• Add 4 1/2 cups water, 1 tablespoon salt and the olive oil to a medium saucepot and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk in the cornmeal in a steady stream, until it is all incorporated and smooth. Reduce the heat to medium low and continue to cook at a simmer until the polenta is creamy and fully hydrated, 30 to 40 minutes. Take the saucepot off the heat and whisk in the butter and Parmesan. Season with additional salt and pepper. Transfer the polenta to a large serving bowl.