Buttermilk Chicken - Thank You NIgella

You rarely go wrong, when you experiment with recipes from Nigella Lawson
The home cook's Hero
This chicken dish is full of flavour and so so moist

I cooked it on a rack over potatoes. The children loved it and so did I
I think everyone loves Roast chicken and Roast Potatoes 
A little coleslaw on the side
Yum
Can all be prepared earlier,
In fact Roast potatoes in my opinion, need pre-blanching to get them nice and crispy

For the Chicken
 1 2 kg chicken
 2 cups buttermilk
 ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
 2 cloves garlic, lightly crushed
 1 tablespoon crushed black peppercorns
 1 tablespoon Maldon or other sea salt
 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves, roughly chopped
 1 tablespoon honey

Preparation

Butterfly chicken by placing breast side down and
using heavy-duty kitchen shears to cut along both sides of backbone.
Set backbone aside, it will make some stock
Turn chicken over and open it like a book.
Press gently to flatten it.
   
Place chicken in a large freezer bag.
Add buttermilk, 1/4 cup oil, garlic, peppercorns, salt, rosemary and honey.
Seal bag securely and refrigerate overnight or up to two days.

You can prep the potatoes early as well
Just peel, then cut to size
Pop into salted cold water, bring to boil and cook about 5-10 minutes
Drain, shake in the pot with slosh of olive oil
This will roughen the potatoes edges
Helps with the crisping
Let cool

Heat oven to 200C
Remove chicken from marinade and place on a rack so excess can drip off.

Line a roasting pan with foil
Place oiled potatoes on the foil

Place to rack with the chicken on top of the potatoes

Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons oil.
Roast for 30 minutes, then reduce heat to 175C
Continue roasting until well browned and until juices run clear
when chicken is pierced where leg joins thigh,about another 10-15 minutes.

Keep an eye on it and if it is getting too brown just lat some foil over the top

Place chicken on a carving board and allow to rest for 10 minutes
before cutting into serving pieces.
Turn the oven back up to 200C
Remove the potatoes and put them on a baking sheet back in the oven
That extra crispiness is so good

Because I cooked the chicken, over the potatoes
They absorbed the juices
If you wish you could make a gravy from chicken stock
I just served as it was though
Excellent

Popular Dessert - In Our House- Nutella French Toast - Bruleed Apples

Two new desserts that I have made for the Kids in the last couple of weeks
Bruleed Apples and French Toast Sandwiches
So easy to turn the breakfast delight into a dessert
Just make sandwiches with Nutella and a Berry Sauce
Soak in a beautiful orange and Coconut custard with a hint of vanilla
Fry in some oil and butter
Top with Ice cream
Just beautiful

Poached Apples are always popular
How about
Cooking them in Apple Cider, with some Apple Cider Vinegar for a little sharpness
Reduce the juice down
Turn it into a Caramel Sauce
Pour over the Apples
Top with ice cream
Maybe some nuts showered over
Yum

Ingredients
4 cups unfiltered apple cider
¾ cup pure maple syrup
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Pinch of kosher salt
4 large firm baking apples, halved, cored with a melon baller
¼ cup heavy cream
1 cup sugar
 
Preparation
Bring apple cider, maple syrup, butter, vinegar, and salt
to a simmer in heavy pot over medium-low heat,
stirring to melt butter.
Add apples to pot in a single layer
(you might need to cook in batches
depending on the size of your pot)
Then return liquid to a very gentle simmer.
Cook, turning apples halfway through, until a skewer
(or the tip of a small knife) slides easily through flesh
but apples stay intact, 20–25 minutes; set aside. 

Remove apples from pot with a slotted spoon and place,
cut side up, on a rimmed baking sheet; set aside.
Bring liquid in pot to a boil over medium-high heat.
Cook, swirling occasionally,
until reduced to a thick caramel with bubbles that
slowly expand and then pop, 15–20 minutes. 
 
Add cream and stir until sauce is smooth.

Reduce heat to low and keep sauce warm in pot while you
brûlée the caramel apples.
       
Sprinkle cut sides of reserved apples with sugar and caramelize with kitchen torch
(alternatively, you can brûlée them under a hot broiler, about 3 minutes).
I did it in the oven

Drizzle with warm caramel sauce

The kids rolled a ball of ice cream
and dessert was served

For the French Toast, it's easy
Make a sandwich of a good bread 
Soak in custard
Fry
Dessert is served Madam
Oh this custard is so good, I reckon it would make a wonderful Creme Brulee
SO:
Ingredients
The Custard
400 ml tin Coconut Cream
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 ounce butter (15 grams) butter
Zest of 1 orange
1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped
4 eggs
150 gms caster sugar
 
16 slices of an artisan bread, Either make you own like I did or even buy a Brioche loaf

2 tablespoons Nutella

1 cup Frozen Mixed berries
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon arrowroot mixed with a little water
Slowly heat the frozen berries in a pot with the sugar
till they have thawed and bring to a simmer
Mix arrowroot to a paste with a little water
Add to berries
Stir well and cool

For frying
Either use Coconut Oil or as in my case...Rice Bran oil with a knob of butter
 
The Custard
Put the coconut cream, honey, butter, orange zest and vanilla bean in a medium saucepan
over medium-high heat.
Bring to a boil, stirring, and remove from the heat.

Put the eggs and sugar in a large bowl and whisk to combine.

Pour the hot cream mixture a little at a time over the egg mixture and whisking
quickly to combine.

Place in a flat dish

The Sandwich
Using a bread knife, cut into equal size slice
Cut the crust of and lay flat on a board

On one slice spread some Nutella, don't take it to the edge
On another slice spread the berry “jam”
Soak the bread in the custard for at least 10 minutes or until it’s well soaked

Meanwhile, add your fat of choice into a skillet over medium heat
when it is sizzling Add the sandwiches

Fry on each side until golden brown

Leave on a rack to drain
You can make this earlier in the day and reheat

To Reheat
Heat Oven 180C
Place on a baking paper lined tray
Heat for 10-15 minutes

Serve once again with Dob of ice cream

Also I froze the extra
Good for dessert next week I think

Herbed Rice, Cherry Tomato and Feta Salad - Add Meatballs - Dinner Sorted

This salad was so good, there were slim pickings, if one had wanted leftovers.
The children all had multiple helpings.

The idea for this salad came up from the Epicurious Web Site
Rice tossed with a Herbed Oil, add Cherry Tomatoes and and some Goats Cheese
Perfect
Something to accompany this
How about Meatballs
Universally loved by kids

Recently, I read an article in The NY Times cooking column about making food without recipes, which of course we all do...BUT
The most important thing is to get the ratios right, if you want the best flavour.

So the suggestion for Meatballs.
500 gms mince
1 handful breadcrumbs (1/4 cup)
1 handful (1/4 cup) of something from the Allum family, Onion, Garlic or Shallots 
And 1 egg per 500 gms mince
Sea Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Then add your own flavourings. In this case I added some of the herbed oil and some extra lemon zest, just because I love lemon zest.

So lets cook
Make the Herbed Oil first, this will keep for a couple days in the fridge in a airtight jar
1 and 1/2 cups of Parsley leaves (packed)
1 cup Mint leaves (packed)
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Put the herbs, lemon zest and salt into the food processor

 Pulse till chopped
Add oil and process till it makes a sauce

As it said that this oil would only last 2 days, I have frozen it into icecubes

I had made a loaf of bread the day before, as dessert was going to be a Luxury French Toast
So in the same food processor bowl
I made breadcrumbs
Soaking up the excess oil and taking on that flavour

So far, so good
Now onto the Meatballs
These can be made ahead as long as you don't overcook them.
I made a gravy, which became the sauce

Once again I like to make the mixture ahead, to meld those flavours
So using the ratios above
1kg of mince
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup finely chopped shallots
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 eggs
2 tablespoons herbed oil
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

You will also need 2 tablespoons of flour
2 cups chicken stock and
A good slosh of white wine 

Mix well use your hands

Cover and into the fridge till needed
To cook
Roll into balls and fry until just brown,
Put aside

Add enough flour to the pan to make a roux and cook for about 2-3 minutes to get rid of the raw flour taste

Bring 2 cups of chicken stock with a good slosh of white wine to the boil
cook for 3-4 minutes to reduce in order to make a nice gravy/sauce
Add to the roux
Bring back to the boil and stir so that there is no lumps
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary
Add the meat balls back into the pan
Mix gently so they are covered
 There was enough for 8 people so I put half the meatballs into the freezer
The rest I placed into a oven proof dish
Set aside and if you need to reheat later

For reheating
Oven at 180C
Place the dish into the oven
15 minutes to reheat
Before serving dab with little bits of the herbed oil

Perfect dinner

For the salad
2 cups Basmati Rice
12 Cherry tomatoes halved season with sea sat and pepper
75 gms Goats feta
3/4 cup of the herbed oil

Cook the rice
I add the rice to a large pot of well salted boiling water
Cook for about 8-9 minutes till just al dente
Strain
Put into a serving bowl
Add herbed oil
Mix well and cool
Add tomatoes 
Mix again
Crumble feta on top
Serve at room temperature 
Voila... Just like that

Asparagus and Tomato Salad - Spring on a Plate

Two of my favourite vegetables and they pair so well. Dressed with a White Balsamic and Shallot Dressing, what could be better for lunch? Not a lot

Don't worry about quantities, just use what you have
Above I used 3 bunches Asparagus and 12 Cherry tomatoes
and 3 tablespoons dressing

First break the ends off the asparagus
I actually lightly peeled the stalks but that is not necessary
Blanch in boiling water well seasoned with salt and little sugar
Bring back to boil and simmer until fork tender about 2 minutes

Immediately drain and throw into a bowl of iced salted water, to stop them cooking and keep that beautiful green colour
The water needs to be salted, so that you don't lose the flavour when cooling down 
Move them around and when cool, drain again
I cut each spear into 3 pieces, your choice again

Meanwhile make your dressing, this will keep in a good airtight jar, in the pantry for ages
I like using White Balsamic Vinegar in dressings, there is a lovely sweetness to it, which enhances the vegetables

50 mls White balsamic Vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
Sea salt and freshly Ground Black Pepper
1 medium banana Shallot, peeled and finely chopped
100 mls good Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Place the vinegar, mustard salt and pepper in a jar with a lid
Shake well to emulsify
Then add the Olive oil and shake again
Taste and add more seasoning if you need it

Cut the Cherry Tomatoes in half and place in a bowl with 3-4 tablespoons of dressing
Leave to marinate for a while

Add the asparagus and toss
Best made at least an hour before eating,
Keep at room temperature
Tastes better in my opinion
All packaged up ready for me to take to my lunch date

If you query the use of sugar, while cooking the vegetables, it's something my Mother always did
Particularly with green vegetables
Also, I heard on the radio...from a famous Chef Based in Parnell, the same advice
So it must be right

Using Leftover Roast Chicken - Chicken Pasta BakeWaste Not Want Not

I'm not trying to preach here but I do hate wasting food. Virtually everything I bought to make the dinner last weekend has been either eaten up or used. want to have a look...just click here 
So I made a Roast Chicken with  Provencal Flavours, accompanied by a Julia Child recipe for Provencal Potatoes.
I did rather over cater on the chicken, so there were left overs, In the aforementioned post, I have written what I did with the mix pictured below

So I gave it some thought and decided that it would make a great sauce for a Pasta Bake

Another thing I hate to waste is the trimming after you have seeded tomatoes
just a glimpse on the left

This was required for the Potato Dish
Putt all the trimmings into a sieve and squash them, you get some lovely tomato water.

Good for Bloody Marys by the way, or as in this case, I added it to the Chicken mix
Bit of extra flavour. The other addition was the leftover rocket.
Add a little green to your dish...not only pretty but also tasty
So in big pot of boiling, well salted water, add Pasta, I used a mix of shells and Fusilli
Meanwhile in another large pan heat the chicken mix

When the pasta is cooked (till al dente) remove from the pan, tip into the Chicken, keep some of the Pasta water and add to the mix if it is too think.
Into casserole dish the pop the rocket on top

Mix it together, it does look so so good

Then top with some breadcrumbs and grated cheese

Dinner sorted, there was enough to put in the freezer for a later date
Talk about economical

 

Coconut and Chocolate Chip Cake

This is such a good cake, highly recommended by 11 people, at my dinner table last week
I actually misread the recipe and instead of 1 cup of coconut milk, I used the whole can, 400 mls instead of 250 mls. Turns out that was a good thing. It was a very moist cake
Just perfect in fact. So I have changed that on the recipe. Also I added some orange juice to the drizzle, for that extra orange flavour.
This recipe came from the Epicurious Website
An excellent dessert

INGREDIENTS
Cake:
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
3/4 cup sugar
115 gms (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 teaspoons (packed) finely grated orange zest
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 400 ml can unsweetened coconut milk
170 gms bittersweet chocolate chips (do not exceed 61% cacao)
1/2 cup coconut flakes

Coconut Drizzle:
3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons (or more) canned unsweetened coconut milk
2 tablespoons orange juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract




PREPARATION
Cake:
Preheat oven to 170C
Generously butter 23 cm/9-inch-diameter cake pan with 2-inch-high sides;
dust pan with flour, shaking out excess.
I also like to line the bottom of he pan with baking paper

Sift 1 3/4 cups flour, baking powder, and sea salt into medium bowl.
Stir in unsweetened shredded coconut and set aside.
Using electric mixer, beat sugar, butter, and orange peel in large bowl until light and fluffy.
Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
Beat in vanilla.
Add flour mixture in 3 additions alternately with coconut milk in 2 additions,
beating just until blended after each addition.
Fold in half of bittersweet chocolate pieces.
Spread batter evenly in prepared cake pan.

Sprinkle remaining chocolate pieces over batter, then sprinkle with flaked coconut.
Bake cake until golden and tester inserted into centre comes out clean,
tenting with sheet of foil if coconut atop cake is browning too quickly, 60 to 70 minutes.
Transfer cake to rack and cool in pan 45 minutes.

Coconut Drizzle

Whisk powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut milk,
orange juice and vanilla in small bowl to blend well, adding more coconut milk by
1/2 teaspoonfuls until mixture is thin enough to drizzle over cake.

Carefully run small knife around sides of cake to loosen.
Invert cake onto platter, then carefully invert again onto another platter,
coconut side up.
Using small spoon, drizzle powdered sugar mixture decoratively over cake.
Cool cake completely on platter.

Serve with Whipped Cream or Ice Cream

Food From Provence - Chicken , Potatoes, Tomatoes, Garlic - Perfect for a Family Dinner

When we get together for Family Dinner its a great opportunity to find something different to cook.
I took my inspiration this time from the NY Times Cook Column, which is emailed to me almost everyday.

The aromas coming out of my kitchen, while the food was cooking. Divine. Garlic, onions, Herbes de Provence, Roast Chicken. Close your eyes and imagine this
Such a lucky Family, I reckon

Quite a lot of prep is required, but the up side is once it's all prepared just some last minute heating, plenty of time to sit and drink some wine with you guests

So The Menu read
Cauliflower and Cashew Soup
French Provencal Chicken
French Provencal Potatoes ( courtesy Julia Child) 
Accompanied by
Charred Broccoli and Rocket Salad
and to Follow The Best Ever Coconut and Chocolate Chip Cake 

For this post I will just address the Main Course.
First Course and "Pudding" later

The chicken dish required Skin on, Bone in, Chicken Thighs, but when you are cooling for a crowd
That takes up a lot of space in the oven.
So I decided to bone the thighs myself. Much neater
Took a while but I am very pleased with my labour,
Tidy little thighs with a bag of bones for roasting, to make stock

So the bonus, some rendered chicken fat and some very tasty stock, for a later date

French Provencal Chicken
This amount will feed four people
I was feeding 11, so hence the quantities you see in the photos
Adapt as you see fit
The recipe called for Vermouth but I don't normally have that on hand so I used a dry white wine

INGREDIENTS
    •    8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
    •    2 teaspoons kosher salt
    •    1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    •    ½ to ¾ cup all-purpose flour
    •    3 tablespoons olive oil
    •    2 tablespoons Herbes de Provence
    •    1 lemon, quartered
    •    8 to 10 cloves garlic, peeled
    •    4 to 6 medium-size shallots, peeled and halved
    •    ⅓ cup dry white wine
    •    4 sprigs of thyme, for serving

PREPARATION
Heat oven to 400 degrees.
Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
Put the flour in a shallow pan, and lightly dredge the
chicken in it, shaking the pieces to remove excess flour.
Swirl the oil in a hot large roasting pan, and place the
floured chicken in it.
Turn the chicken over to oil all sides

Season the chicken with the Herbes de Provence.
Arrange the lemon, garlic cloves and shallots around
the chicken, then add the vermouth to the pan.
Put the pan in the oven, and roast for 25 to 30 minutes,
then baste it with the pan juices.
Continue roasting for another 25 to 30 minutes,
or until the chicken is very crisp and the meat
cooked through.
Transfer to a warm Platter and serve

Now for the French Provencal Potatoes, 
just like Potato Gratin, but using soft fragrant onions and tomatoes sauteed in olive oil for the liquid instead of milk and cream
I didn't use the  anchovies, as our grandson is allergic to fish
So I just smashed the garlic with the Herbes de Provence and olive oil
Add this paste to the onion and tomato
I have left the anchovies in the recipe as Next time, I will add them

    •    2 to 3 onions, thinly sliced (2 heaping cups)
    •    ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, more for drizzling
    •     Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
    •    1 ½ pounds ripe tomatoes, seeded and cut into strips about 3/8-inch wide
    •    1 2-ounce can anchovies packed in olive oil, drained (reserve anchovies and oil separately)
    •    2 large cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
    •    2 teaspoons dried herbes de Provence
    •     About 2 pounds thin-skinned, waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold, sliced 1/8-inch thick 
          (6 to 7 cups)
    •    ½ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Gruyère

Heat oven to 400 degrees and place a rack at the middle level.
In a large saucepan, combine onions and 2 tablespoons olive oil
and stir to coat over low heat.
Sprinkle lightly with salt.
At a gentle simmer, cook uncovered until onions
are softened and lightly golden, 10 to 15 minutes,
stirring often. Do not brown; lower the heat if necessary.

When done, fold in tomatoes just until heated through.
Set aside.

In a small food processor or a mortar, add the anchovies
anywhere from 6 to 12 fillets, depending on their
size and your taste.
Add garlic, herbs and a dozen grinds of pepper.
Add 2 tablespoons olive oil (or use the oil from the
anchovy can, if you like).
Crush or pulse together into a chunky paste,
thinning with oil as needed to make a loose, fluid mixture.
Add to the onion tomato mixture

In a medium-size baking dish, spread a quarter of the
onion-tomato mixture.
On top, arrange half the potato slices,
Add half the remaining onion-tomato mixture.

Build one more layer with remaining potato slices,

then onion-tomato mixture.
Sprinkle cheese on top and drizzle with olive oil.

If the dish is very full, place on a baking sheet.
Transfer to oven and bake, uncovered, until the potatoes
are tender and have absorbed all of the juices in the
bottom of the dish, 40 to 50 minutes.
Test by tasting a bit of potato; it should be soft all the
way through, with no raw taste.
If the top is browning too fast, cover very loosely with
a sheet of foil.
If the top is not brown enough when the potatoes
are cooked, broil briefly until deliciously glazed.
Serve gratin hot or warm.

Can be cooled and reheated later the same day,
but do not refrigerate.
 So you do need something green with this meal 
How about this Charred Broccoli and Rocket Salad 

Just a slightly different touch to the Broccoli
A quick char on a grill for that extra flavour

Ingredients
Serve 6
 
2 heads of broccoli, florets separated, stems peeled and reserved
Kosher salt
3 tablespoons olive oil


Dressing
1 oil-packed anchovy fillet
1 garlic clove
⅔ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup buttermilk
1 cup tarragon leaves
¼ cup chopped chives
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard


Finishing touches
3 cups mature arugula, tough stems removed, leaves torn

Make the Dressing first  
Purée anchovy, garlic, mayonnaise, buttermilk, chervil, tarragon, chives, lemon juice, and mustard in a blender until smooth; season dressing with salt.
This can be made ahead and will keep for up to 2 days
Cover and chill

Cook broccoli in a large pot of boiling salted water until bright green and crisp-tender, 
about 2 minutes. Drain; transfer to a bowl of ice water. Let cool, then drain. Pat broccoli dry; place in a large bowl.

Prepare a grill for medium-high heat. Drizzle broccoli with oil and toss to coat; season with salt. Grill broccoli, turning occasionally, until charred in spots, 5–7 minutes.

Return to bowl and let cool, tossing occasionally.
Add Rocket to Broccoli and toss to combine.
Drizzle salad with ¾ cup dressing and toss to coat; season with more salt if needed.
Arrange salad on a platter

The actual recipe, suggested sprinkling smoked cheddar over the top
That didn't work with my Provencal flavours, but I knew it could work another time
So keep this in mind for another occasion


On the Waste Not, Want Not part of this post
First the bits of potato, which didn't look attractive enough for the Gratin
Don't waste please
I cooked them in some boiling salted water, drained and mashed with some olive oil
into the fridge
There was some also leftover chicken
 So last night, I made a  roux with some of the chicken fat and used the stock underneath to make a very chickeny sauce

 Added the chicken cut into chunks and some frozen corn and more Herbes de Provence

Add 2-3 tablespoons of the leftover Salad dressing, that tarragon flavour... perfect to add to the chicken

Here you go
I used some of this chicken mixture
Topped with the mashed potato

Voila, Dinner for one

And the good news is there is a whole pile of chicken mixture to go into the freezer to be used at a later date.
Delicious