Spring Chicken And Asparagus Food

SPRING CHICKEN AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Soak 5-10 toothpicks in water to cover.
• Flatten chicken breasts slightly - to about 1/4 inch thickness.
• Wrap each breast around 5 asparagus spears; secure with toothpicks.
• Place in a lightly greased 9x13x2 inch baking dish.
• In a small bowl whisk together the oil, lemon juice, basil, thyme, pepper and salt; pour over chicken/asparagus bundles.
• Cover asparagus tips with aluminum foil.
• Cover entire pan with aluminum foil and bake at 350F for 15 minutes.
• Remove top aluminum foil covering (leave the covers on the asparagus tips).
• Sprinkle with green onions.
• Bake 12-15 minutes longer or until the chicken juices run clear and asparagus is crisp-tender.
• Remove bundles to a serving platter and keep warm.
• In a saucepan, combine chicken broth and cornstarch until smooth; stir in pan juices.
• Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes until thickened, stirring constantly.
• Remove toothpicks from bundles.
• Serve one bundle per plate topped with sauce.

SPRING STEW OF CHICKEN AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Scatter shallots in bottom of a 2-quart souffle dish.
• At the knobby, small end of each chicken leg, cut through skin and tendons.
• Arrange legs and thighs along the inside rim of the souffle dish. Place breast halves, bone side up, in center of dish. Fit wings in between legs and thighs. Mound asparagus in center of dish. Pour broth over all. Cover tightly with microwave plastic wrap. Cook at 100 percent for 10 minutes.
• With dish in oven, slit plastic. Stir in dissolved cornstarch by sticking wooden spoon through slit. Cover slit with a square of wrap as a patch. Cook at 100 percent for three minutes.
• Uncover and stir in lemon juice, dill, salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately

SPRING CHICKEN FRICASSEE WITH ASPARAGUS AND PEAS

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• While the oil heats, season the chicken with salt and pepper.
• Add the chicken to the pan and brown on all sides.
• As the chicken pieces finish browning, remove them to a plate and set aside.
• Turn the heat down to medium and add the onion.
• Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to wilt, about 5 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cook for 2 more minutes.
• Return the chicken to the skillet.
• Add the wine, let it boil rapidly for a minute and stir with a wooden spoon to remove any bits that may be stuck to the pan.
• Add the chicken broth, turn down the heat so that the mixture simmers slowly and place a lid, slightly ajar, over the skillet.
• Cook until the chicken is completely tender, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a small pot of salted water to a boil.
• Add the asparagus and cook until it is crisp-tender, about 2 to 3 minutes, then drain.
• Add the asparagus and peas to the chicken, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes to heat through.
• To serve, heat the cooked potatoes and divide them among 4 bowls.
• Add chicken, asparagus and peas to each bowl and spoon some of the sauce over the top.
• Enjoy!

SPRING CHICKEN RAGU

Steps:

• Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet, add chicken, and cook over medium-high heat until golden brown on both sides, about 7 minutes total.
• Add stock and tomatoes, bring to a boil, and cover. Cook on medium-low heat for about 20 minutes; remove chicken, and set aside.
• Add carrots to skillet, and cook, covered, until almost tender, about 5 minutes. Add asparagus, leeks, and peas, and cook until all the vegetables are tender, about 5 more minutes.
• Meanwhile, pull chicken from bone, and shred into large bite-size pieces. Return chicken to skillet, and cook until heated through, about 2 minutes. Garnish with sprigs of parsley, if desired.