Florentine Mac And Cheese And Roast Chicken Sausage Meatballs Recipes

FLORENTINE MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Wring defrosted spinach dry in a clean kitchen towel. Place turkey in a bowl and make a well in the middle of it. Add the spinach, all but 3 tablespoons of the onion, all of the garlic, 1 large egg, about 1/4 cup milk, bread crumbs, grated Parmesan, salt and pepper. Mix well. Form into 12 large balls and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil. Arrange on a nonstick cookie sheet and roast 20 minutes, or until cooked through.
• While balls are in the oven, heat a small sauce pot over medium heat. Add a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter. Melt butter, add remaining finely chopped onion and cook 2 minutes then whisk in flour. Cook flour 1 minute, then whisk in 1 1/2 cups milk and 1 cup stock. Bring liquid up to a boil then stir in shredded provolone or blended Italian cheeses. Season the sauce with salt, pepper and nutmeg, turn heat to lowest setting.
• Place 3 balls on dinner plates and top with sauce, garnish with parsley.

CHICKEN FLORENTINE MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
• Heat half the butter in a braiser over medium heat. Add the chicken, then sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until the chicken is browned on all sides and cooked through, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic, then stir and cook briefly. Add the chicken stock, scraping the bottom of the pan as it boils. Add the milk, cream and the remaining 3 tablespoons butter and cook, stirring, until it is warmed through and the sauce is simmering.
• Toss together the Cheddar, fontina and cornstarch in a bowl.
• Sprinkle the shredded cheese mixture into the pan, stirring constantly until the cheese is completely melted. Add the processed cheese cubes and allow them to melt. Bring to a simmer and allow the sauce to thicken, about 1 minute. Add the cooked macaroni, the spinach and tomatoes, then stir until well combined. Taste and adjust the seasonings. Garnish with the fresh parsley and serve.