Nopales Stuffed Chicken Food

POLLO CON NOPALES (CHICKEN AND CACTUS)

Steps:

• Fill a pot with water and bring to a boil. Cook the chicken breasts in the boiling water until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 10 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Drain and set aside to cool. Once cool, shred the chicken into small strands.
• Fill the pot again with water and bring to a boil. Cook the tomatillos, jalapeno peppers, and nopales in the boiling water until the vegetables are all tender, about 5 minutes. Drain.
• Blend the tomatillos and jalapeno peppers in a blender until smooth; pour into the pot with the shredded chicken and place over medium heat. Cut the nopales into small dice and add to the mixture. Allow the mixture to simmer until completely reheated, about 5 minutes.

ANTIPASTI STUFFED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Spray a heavy baking sheet with vegetable oil cooking spray. Set aside.
• For the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk the red wine vinegar, oregano, fennel seed, mustard, salt, pepper and garlic. Gradually whisk in the oil.
• For the chicken: In a medium bowl, combine the salami, pepperoncini, prosciutto, provolone and tomatoes with 1/4 cup of the dressing; toss to blend evenly.
• Place the chicken breasts, smooth-side down on the work surface with the thickest part at the top and the straight side on the left. Using a very sharp knife and starting on the right side, cut each chicken breast almost in half horizontally (stopping close to the left side), creating a pocket for stuffing. Open the chicken breasts like a book.
• Mound a fourth of the stuffing onto the right side of the breast, and press firmly to compact. Fold the left side (flap) of the chicken tightly over the stuffing. Lay three 10-inch pieces of string on the work surface 1 to 11/2 inches apart. Place the chicken on the strings and tie the strings around the chicken at intervals to keep the flap closed over the stuffing. Press in any stuffing pieces that fall out.
• Place the chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with 1/4 cup of the dressing.
• Roast until the chicken is cooked through, 18 to 20 minutes. Using tongs, transfer the chicken to a sheet of foil. Let rest 5 minutes.
• For serving: Divide the arugula among four plates. Cut the strings off the chicken. Cut each breast on a slight diagonal into 1/2-inch-wide slices. Fan the slices of one breast over the arugula on each plate. Drizzle with the dressing and serve.

CHICKEN STUFFED WITH LOBSTER MEAT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Position rack in center.
• Remove all the meat from the lobster and roughly chop, leaving some large pieces. Set aside
• Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a small skillet, saute scallions for 2 to 3 minutes. Add lobster meat and wine, stir quickly to combine over high heat. Drain the mixture, reserving the liquid. Set lobster meat and scallion mixture aside. Melt remaining butter in another skillet. Add flour and cook slowly without coloring or about 5 minutes. Add reserved liquid and cream. Cook, stirring constantly until mixture begins to thicken. Stir lobster meat back into the mixture, add cayenne, and season to taste. Cool mixture completely.
• Rinse chicken breasts and pat dry. Trim any fat around edges. Place breasts, 1 at a time, between sheets of waxed paper and gently pound with a mallet until about 3/8-inch thick. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Lightly oil a 13 by 9-inch baking pan. Place 1/4 cup stuffing on the center of the underside of each breast. Bring the top and bottom flaps of the chicken up over the stuffing, slightly overlapping the ends, then fold up the sides to enclose the stuffing completely. Lay the packets seam side down in the pan and brush with olive oil.
• Bake until chicken is lightly browned and feels firm when pressed, 20 to 30 minutes. Slice each roll on the diagonal to serve.

CHEESE STUFFED BREADED FRIED NOPALES (CACTUS PADDLES)

Steps:

• Mix first 3 ingredients and place this mixture betwen two nopal slices. You can also use just one slice, spreading filling on one side, rolling it and securing ends with a toothpick.
• Pass through beaten egg and then through bread crumbs.
• Fry in hot oil and serve.