Craig Claibornes Vinaigrette Recipes

VINAIGRETTE SAUCE

Steps:

• Put 2 teaspoons olive oil, all the balsamic and other vinegar, mustard, salt, pepper and parsley in a bowl and blend well.
• Heat remaining tablespoon olive oil in a small skillet, and add onions and garlic. Cook, stirring, over high heat until onions start to become golden. Spoon and scrape this mixture into the bowl. Stir to blend.

CRAIG CLAIBORNE'S PREFERRED HAMBURGERS

Steps:

• Divide the meat into four equal portions and shape each portion. Press each portion as gently as possible, just enough so that it holds together.
• Sprinkle the bottom of a heavy skillet, preferably a black-iron skillet, lightly with salt, if used. Heat the skillet until it is hot and almost smoking. Add the patties and sear well on one side, about two minutes. Using a pancake turner, turn the patties and reduce the heat to moderate. Cook on the second side about two or three minutes or to the desired degree of doneness.
• If desired, sprinkle each hamburger with salt and pepper and top each with one tablespoon of butter.
• Meanwhile, toast the cut sides of each bun until they are lightly browned. Arrange the bun halves, cut side up, on four dinner plates. Sprinkle each patty with one-quarter teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, one tablespoon parsley and one-half tablespoon lemon juice. Add one onion slice atop each hamburger. Top each serving with the remaining toasted bun halves, cut side down. Serve with tomato ketchup.

CRAIG CLAIBORNE'S SMOTHERED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Craig Claiborne believed a cast-iron skillet to be essential for the authentic preparation of this dish. Sprinkle the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Select a skillet large enough to hold the chicken comfortably when it is opened up, as for broiling. Fold wings under to secure them.
• Melt the butter in the pan and add the chicken, skin side down. Cover chicken with a plate that will fit comfortably inside the skillet. Place a heavy can, stone or brick on top of the plate to weigh it down. Cook over low heat, checking the chicken skin, until it is nicely browned, about 25 minutes.
• Remove weight and plate. Turn chicken so skin side is up. Replace plate and weight and continue cooking for about 15 minutes more.
• Remove chicken and pour off fat from the skillet, leaving about 2 tablespoons in the pan. Add the flour to the fat, stirring with a wire whisk over medium heat. Gradually add the chicken broth and, when thickened, return chicken to the skillet, skin side up. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cover with the plate and weight and continue cooking over low heat about 20 to 30 minutes longer or until the meat is exceptionally tender. Spoon the sauce over it.
• Cut chicken into serving pieces, and serve with the sauce and fluffy rice on the side.

BLACK-EYED PEAS VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Put peas in a bowl, and add cold water to cover to a depth of one inch above top of the peas. Soak overnight. Drain.
• Open a square of cheesecloth and add skin, bay leaves, onions, garlic, parsley sprigs, thyme and peppercorns. Bring edges of cheesecloth up, and tie into a bag.
• Put drained peas, cheesecloth bag, water, vinegar and salt in saucepan or kettle, and bring to a boil. Cook 12 to 15 minutes or until peas are tender.
• Put vinaigrette sauce into mixing bowl.
• Drain peas and add them to sauce while they are hot. Discard cheesecloth bag. Let stand until cooled to room temperature.

CRAIG CLAIBORNE'S VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a bowl, add mustard, salt, pepper and vinegar.
• Stir well; to make smooth, whisk while adding the oil slowly.
• You want to get it thick like mayonnaise.
• Add the shallots and mix well.

VINAIGRETTE SAUCE

Steps:

• Put the vinegar in a small mixing bowl and add the salt and pepper.
• Start beating with a wire whisk, while adding the oil. (This sauce will keep for weeks if properly refrigerated.)