Pan Seared Chicken Strawberry Avocado Relish Food

PAN SEARED CHICKEN BREAST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Heat a skillet over medium high heat. Drizzle the chicken breast with 1/2 of the oil, and then season the breast with a good crust of salt and pepper. Put chicken in the pan skin side down, then add the herbs, and garlic. When the skin has a nice golden color turn it over, and put in a preheated oven for 8 minutes or until juice runs clear.

PAN SEARED CHICKEN WITH OLIVES

Steps:

• For the chicken: Using a meat mallet, evenly pound the chicken breast halves between 2 sheets of plastic wrap to 1/4-inch thickness. Put the chicken into a heavy resealable bag or 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Add the oil, parsley, shallots and garlic; sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper and mix in the bag or toss in the baking dish until the chicken is coated in the marinade. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Using tongs, remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing the oil to drain. (It's ok if some of the garlic and shallots still cling to the chicken.) Discard the marinade.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large (12- to 14-inch) skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the chicken breasts, 2 at a time, being sure to space them out in the skillet. (Avoid over-crowding, or you won't get a good sear.) Sear until light golden on the first side, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and sear on the other side until the chicken is cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes more. Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm. Cook the remaining 2 chicken breasts, adding another tablespoon of oil if needed. Reserve the skillet for the sauce.
• For the pan sauce: In a small bowl, combine the tomatoes, basil if using and the garlic; season with salt and pepper and toss to combine. Set aside.
• Pour out all but 2 tablespoons oil from the skillet. If the skillet is dry and more oil is needed, add about 2 tablespoons. Over medium heat, add the olives and shallots and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the vinegar and cook, scraping up any browned bits in the skillet. Whisk in the chicken broth and any pan juices the chicken released on the platter and bring to a simmer. Cook until the liquid has reduced by half. Stir in the mustard, add the seasoned tomatoes and cook, stirring, until heated through, about 1 minute; season with salt and pepper if needed.
• Spoon the sauce over the chicken on the platter, garnish with chopped herbs if using and serve immediately with the Winter Greens Salad on the side if desired.
• Put the arugula, frisee and radicchio into a salad bowl and toss to combine. Drizzle the vinegar over the greens and toss until coated; drizzle the oil over the top and toss again. Add the cheese, season with salt and pepper and toss until well combined. Serve immediately.

PAN-SEARED CHICKEN WITH CILANTRO PESTO

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper. Place the chicken in the hot pan and cook until golden brown and just cooked through, about 3 minutes per side.
• Meanwhile, place the pine nuts in a small dry skillet and set over medium heat. Toast the nuts until golden brown, about 3 minutes, shaking the pan frequently to prevent burning. Transfer the pine nuts to a blender or food processor and add cilantro, sour cream, the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, the garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Process until smooth, adding water, as necessary, to create a thick paste. Serve the chicken with the pesto spooned over the top.

PAN-SEARED CHICKEN WITH PORCINI-CHESTNUT SAUCE WITH STEAMED SPINACH AND ORZO

Steps:

• Cook orzo according to package directions.
• Soak mushrooms in 1 cup hot water for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and add to hot pan. Sear 2 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside. To the same pan, add garlic and shallots and saute 3 minutes, until soft. Add sherry and thyme and cook 1 minute. Return chicken to pan with the chicken broth and chestnuts. Drain mushrooms through a paper towel-lined sieve and add to pan with the strained soaking liquid. Simmer 5 minutes, until chicken is cooked through. Remove 2 chicken breast halves and reserve for another meal. To the skillet, add heavy cream and simmer 2 minutes. Remove from heat and serve chicken and mushroom sauce over half of the orzo pasta, reserving second half of orzo for another meal. Serve spinach on the side.

PAN-SEARED CHICKEN WITH PEAR SLAW

Steps:

• Brown the chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the canola oil. Arrange the chicken on a tray in a single layer, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, use a pair of metal tongs to carefully add the pieces, skin-side down, to the oil. Do not overcrowd the skillet. Allow them to sear, flipping every 2 to 3 minutes, until the chicken is browned and an internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, 10 to 12 minutes total.
• Make the dressing: Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, rice wine vinegar, sugar, cumin, coriander and garlic with a generous pinch of salt.
• Prepare the slaw: Stir the pears and celery into the dressing and toss to completely coat. Place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
• Serve: Arrange the chicken breasts on a platter (or individual plates) and top with the slaw.

AVOCADO RELISH WITH CILANTRO PESTO

Steps:

• Put the garlic, pine nuts, serrano and some salt in a mortar and pestle and mash to a chunky, pesto-like consistency. Add the cilantro and continue to mash; the pesto should be very coarse.
• Put the avocados and lime juice in a bowl and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Gently fold in the pesto until just combined, being careful not to mash the avocado too much.