Braised Chicken Breasts On Toasted English Muffins With Vegetable Mirepoix Toasted Pine Nuts And A Zucchini Summer Squash And Onion Medley Recipes

BRAISED CHICKEN BREASTS IN TASTY MIREPOIX RAGOUT

Steps:

• Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour until completely coated. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a Dutch oven and fry breasts until lightly browned, about 5 minutes on each side. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
• Add remaining tablespoon of oil to the pan and saute the onions for 2 minutes. Stir in the celery and carrots and cook for about one more minute. Season with garlic, bay leaves, thyme and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for another minute.
• Deglaze the pot with white wine, stirring until nothing is stuck to the pan, then pour in the chicken broth. Simmer for 90 minutes.
• Return the chicken breasts to the pan and simmer for an additional 30 minutes. The mixture should reduce considerably by this time so check frequently to see that the chicken is covered. Spoon baste if necessary. The ragout should have a stew like consistency when finished.

ITALIANO CHICKEN AND PASTA MEDLEY

Steps:

• Cook the chicken and garlic in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until the chicken is well browned, stirring often. Remove the chicken mixture from the skillet.
• Stir the stock, tomatoes, Italian seasoning and black pepper in the skillet and heat to a boil. Stir in the pasta. Reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 10 minutes.
• Stir in the vegetables and cheese. Return the chicken to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the pasta is tender. Serve with additional cheese.

ROASTED SQUASH VEGETABLE MEDLEY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Combine zucchini and yellow squash pieces with onions and mushrooms in a mixing bowl. Add oil to the bowl, 2 turns of the bowl in a slow stream. Toss veggies until they are coated lightly and evenly with the oil.
• Combine poultry seasoning with salt and pepper and sprinkle evenly over the vegetables. Toss them again to combine and spread them out on to a baking sheet. Place veggies in a hot oven and roast 20 to 25 minutes until tender. Toss and turn the veggies with kitchen tongs half way through cooking time.

BRAISED CHICKEN WITH POTATOES, OLIVES, AND LEMON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Season chicken with salt. Heat a large, heavy ovenproof skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat. Swirl in oil. Cook chicken, skin side down, until browned, about 5 minutes. Flip chicken, and push to side of skillet. Add 1 cup stock and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add potatoes to liquid. Bring to a boil. Add garlic, olives, lemon wedges, and thyme to liquid. Return to a boil.
• Transfer skillet to oven. Roast, stirring potatoes halfway through, until potatoes are tender and chicken is cooked through, about 30 minutes.
• Return skillet to stove. Mix cornstarch with remaining 1/4 cup stock, and stir into pan. Bring to a boil to thicken sauce. Serve immediately.

SUMMER SQUASH AND ONION SOUP WITH TOASTED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, and ginger, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden, about 20 minutes.
• Add the sherry and reduce by half, only a minute or two. Add the chicken stock, pasta, and squash. Bring to a boil and cook until pasta and squash are just cooked, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add the savory and ladle the soup into warm bowls. Sprinkle with the almonds and cheese and serve immediately.