Park Tavern Denver Food

THE BEST CHICKEN PARMESAN

Steps:

• Set a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet. Line another rimmed baking sheet with foil. Cut two 12-inch sheets of plastic wrap.
• Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise, making 4 roughly equal pieces; they should look like large chicken tenders. Place one sheet of plastic on a clean cutting board. Put one chicken piece in the center of the plastic and top with the other sheet of plastic. Pound the chicken with the flat side of a meat mallet, starting in the center and working your way to the edges, until the chicken is 1/4-inch thick. Transfer to the wire rack. Repeat with the remaining chicken, one piece at a time. Liberally sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Put the flour in a pie plate and dredge the chicken 1 piece at a time, turning to coat and packing the flour into the crevices. Shake to remove any excess and return to the rack. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
• Whisk the breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a medium bowl until combined. Whisk the milk and egg in a medium bowl until combined. Dip the dredged chicken into the milk mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Then pack the seasoned breadcrumbs firmly onto the chicken. Very gently
• shake off any excess and return to the rack. Refrigerate uncovered at least 30 minutes and up to 12 hours.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce. Heat 1/3 cup of the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, oregano and red pepper flakes and cook until very fragrant but not brown, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, basil and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until the tomatoes are very tender and the liquid has reduced by half, about 30 minutes. Smash the tomatoes with a potato masher until almost smooth; it's ok if it's a little chunky. Season with salt.
• Heat the remaining 1/2 cup oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 cutlets and cook until the coating is golden brown, about 1 minute per side; the chicken will not be cooked through. Transfer to the foil-lined baking sheet in a single layer 3 inches apart. Repeat with the remaining cutlets.
• Arrange an oven rack directly under the broiler and preheat to high. Arrange the chicken in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, spaced 3 inches apart. Top each cutlet with 2/3 cup of the sauce and spread evenly to coat. Sprinkle each cutlet with 1 tablespoon of the Parmesan and 1/2 cup mozzarella. Broil until the cheese melts and starts to brown in spots, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the spaghetti, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain and transfer to the remaining sauce. Gently stir until the sauce coats the pasta. Transfer the spaghetti to a serving dish and top with the chicken. Sprinkle with more Parmesan and serve with torn basil.

THE BEST PORK FRIED RICE

Steps:

• Whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin, Shaoxing wine, honey, sesame oil and garlic in a medium bowl until combined. Reserve 1/2 cup of the soy marinade for the rice.
• Cut the pork into 2-inch strips about 1/4-inch thick and toss in the soy marinade until completely coated. Let sit uncovered at room temperature for 30 minutes to let the marinade penetrate. Drain through a mesh strainer, discard the marinade and return the pork to the bowl.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet or wok over high heat until the oil shimmers and tiny wisps of smoke are visible. Cook the pork, tossing often, until browned but not charred, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil in the same skillet over high heat. Cook the onions, tossing often, until translucent and just tender, about 2 minutes. Add 1/3 cup of the reserved marinade and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has almost completely evaporated, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the onions to the large bowl.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the vegetable oil in the same skillet over high heat. Cook the snow peas and bean sprouts, tossing often, until bright green but lightly browned in spots, about 2 minutes. Transfer to the large bowl.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil in the same skillet over high heat. Add the beaten eggs and stir vigorously for 10 seconds (no, really, 10 seconds). Transfer to the large bowl and break the egg up into 1-inch pieces.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in the same skillet over high heat. Add the rice, patting it down into an even layer and breaking up any clumps, and let sit undisturbed for 1 minute to fry. Then vigorously toss, breaking up any clumps, until the grains dry out, separate and start to crisp and lightly brown, about 3 minutes.
• Add the pork, vegetables and egg to the rice and vigorously toss (or stir) until completely combined and the ingredients are evenly distributed into the rice. Season with the remaining soy marinade if necessary, adding 1 tablespoon at a time and tossing well to combine.
• Top the fried rice with the scallions and basil before serving.

THE BEST PULLED PORK

Steps:

• Whisk together the chile powder, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper and 2 tablespoons of the brown sugar in a small bowl until completely combined and no lumps remain. Spread the spice rub evenly over the pork butt, pressing it into the flesh on all sides. Let the pork sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour or wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 48 hours.
• Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 275 degrees F.
• Whisk together the barbecue sauce, apple cider, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and the remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar in large Dutch oven or other heavy large pot until combined. Transfer the pork and any accumulated juices to the pot, turning the pork to coat it with sauce. Bring the sauce to a boil over medium-high heat. Then cover, transfer to the oven and bake until the pork is very tender and easily shreds when pulled apart with a fork, 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Let the pork cool uncovered for 30 minutes.
• Reserve 1 cup of the sauce for serving, then smash the pork into the remaining sauce with a potato masher; it should fall apart and shred completely. Stir to combine the pork with the sauce. Serve on toasted potato rolls topped with coleslaw. Pass the reserved sauce.