Sticky Figgy Chickie Stuffed Chicken Breast Food

FIRST PLACE WINNER: THAI-INSPIRED STUFFED CHICKEN BREAST AND SLAW

Steps:

• For the chicken: In a large bowl, mix the rice, coconut, green onion, basil, cilantro, chili sauce, 1 tablespoon lime juice, and zest from 1 lime. Place chicken between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and pound to even thickness. Place equal amounts of rice mixture on each breast half. Wrap chicken around filling, securing with toothpicks. In a glass pie plate, mix together flour, zest of 1 lime, salt and pepper. In another plate, mix coconut milk, and 2 tablespoons lime juice. In third plate, mix together peanuts, panko, black and white sesame seeds. Roll chicken breasts, 1 at a time, first in flour mixture, then in coconut milk mixture and finally in peanut mixture, coating well. In shallow baking pan, arrange chicken, seam side down and place in 350 degree F oven. Bake 30 minutes or until juices run clear.
• For slaw: In a large bowl mix together all ingredients and refrigerate.
• To plate: Place slaw on serving platter, removed picks from chicken and add chicken to plate. Garnish with cucumber, lime and cilantro.

WARM STICKY FIGGY PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Add the dates, dried figs and water to a medium saucepan and bring to boil over medium heat. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the baking soda. Let cool for about 5 minutes, then add to a blender and puree.
• Using a hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl. Add the eggs and beat well. Fold in the flour, the pureed date mixture and the chocolate.
• Put the mixture into 4 buttered, 1-cup individual ramekins, filling halfway or slightly under. Put in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
• Prepare the sauce by stirring the sugar and cream in a medium saucepan over low heat. Simmer until the sugar dissolves. Raise the heat and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the butter and stir until incorporated.
• Remove the ramekins from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes. May be served in the ramekin or unmolded onto a small serving plate. With paring knife cut a cross in the top of the puddings for the sauce.
• Pour the sauce into the cross in the center of each pudding, then pour more sauce over the puddings and it allow to soak in slightly. Top with fresh figs and vanilla ice cream or heavily whipped cream. Serve warm.

PAN ROASTED CHANTERELLE-GORGONZOLA STUFFED CHICKEN BREAST

Steps:

• For the chanterelle mushroom-gorgonzola stuffing: In a medium hot sautepan add the bacon fat and saute garlic, shallot and onions until translucent.
• Add chanterelle mushrooms and continue sauteing until tender. Deglaze with white wine.
• Chill and set aside.
• In a medium mixing bowl add cool chanterelle mushroom mix, gorgonzola, basil, oregano, salt and black pepper. Fold together until incorporated. Chill and set aside for later use.
• For the pan roasted chicken breast: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• With a boning knife, butterfly at 4 chicken breasts. Stuff each breast with 2 ounces of chanterelle mushroom-gorgonzola mix then tie with butchers twine to ensure that it stays together.
• Season each chicken breast with salt and cracked black pepper.
• In a large hot saute pan add canola oil then lay the chicken in the pan skin side down. Sear for about one minute then turn over and continue cooking for 30 more seconds.
• Place the entire pan in a 350 degreee oven and roast until done. Serve with onion jus immediately.

STUFFED CHICKEN BREAST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Mince celery and onion and add to stuffing mix. Add melted margarine and chicken broth and mix well. Rinse and trim chicken and lay flat with cut side up; salt and pepper to taste. Spread stuffing mixture evenly on chicken. Fold up and secure with metal skewers. Season outside with additional salt and pepper if desired.
• Place in baking pan and cook for 40-45 minutes until chicken is done and stuffing is slightly browned.