Mark Strausmans Chicken Piccata Recipes

PINO LUONGO AND MARK STRAUSMAN'S CHICKEN PARMIGIANA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Place each chicken breast half between two sheets of plastic wrap on a cutting board. Using the flat side of a meat mallet or the back of a skillet, pound chicken breasts until they are 3/8 inch thick.
• Remove chicken from plastic wrap and set on a large plate; season with salt and pepper. Place flour and matzo each in separate large, shallow dishes. Beat together eggs and Parmigiano-Reggiano in another large shallow dish. Coat each chicken breast half evenly with flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip in egg and cheese mixture, followed by matzo to coat.
• Heat oil in a deep large skillet over medium-high heat. When oil is very hot, reduce heat to medium and, working in batches, add chicken. Cook chicken, turning once, until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat process with remaining chicken, allowing oil to reheat between batches.
• Transfer chicken to a rimmed baking sheet. Top each breast with 1/2 cup tomato sauce and cover with mozzarella. Transfer baking sheet to oven and cook until cheese is melted and sizzling, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat broiler. Transfer chicken to broiler and broil until cheese is bubbling, about 1 minute. Serve immediately.

FREDS' CHICKEN SALAD WITH BALSAMIC DRESSING

Steps:

• Roast the chicken (if you're using a cooked, store-bought chicken, skip this step): Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place a rack in a roasting pan. Rub 1 tablespoon salt around the inside of the cavity, then stuff it with the thyme, lemon and garlic. Tie the legs closed with cooking twine. Rub olive oil over the entire bird, and sprinkle with 1/2 tablespoon salt and the black pepper. Place on the rack and roast for 72 to 80 minutes. After 72 minutes, begin testing for doneness by inserting a meat thermometer into the leg, close to the bone. The chicken is done when the thermometer reads 165 degrees. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
• When cool enough to handle, remove the skin from the chicken. Use your hands to remove all the meat (remember, it will be hotter internally) and shred into 2-inch strips. If you're not going to make the salad for a few hours, place the meat in the refrigerator, but be sure to remove it and let come to room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes before serving, to bring out the best flavor.
• Make the dressing: Place all the ingredients except the oil in a food processor and pulse for about 30 seconds, until everything is combined. With the machine on low, slowly drizzle in the oil until dressing is emulsified.
• Assemble the salad: Drizzle pears with lemon juice to prevent them from browning. In a large mixing bowl, combine pears, greens, beans, tomatoes, onion, avocado and half the chicken meat. Add some of the dressing and toss to make sure everything is lightly coated, adding more dressing if needed. Divide the mixture equally among 4 or 6 plates. Lay the rest of the chicken on top and serve immediately, passing the remaining dressing in case people want to add more.

CHICKEN PICCATA

Steps:

• Season chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge chicken in flour and shake off excess.
• In a large skillet over medium high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 3 tablespoons olive oil. When butter and oil start to sizzle, add 2 pieces of chicken and cook for 3 minutes. When chicken is browned, flip and cook other side for 3 minutes. Remove and transfer to plate. Melt 2 more tablespoons butter and add another 2 tablespoons olive oil. When butter and oil start to sizzle, add the other 2 pieces of chicken and brown both sides in same manner. Remove pan from heat and add chicken to the plate.
• Into the pan add the lemon juice, stock and capers. Return to stove and bring to boil, scraping up brown bits from the pan for extra flavor. Check for seasoning. Return all the chicken to the pan and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove chicken to platter. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to sauce and whisk vigorously. Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with parsley.

CHICKEN SCALOPPINI WITH LEMON-CAPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Put the flour in a large shallow dish and season with the salt and pepper. Pat the chicken scaloppini dry with paper towels, then put them in the flour, coating the chicken on both sides. Set aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a 14-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the floured chicken and cook, in batches if needed, until deeply golden, about 3 minutes per side. Remove to a wire rack-lined sheet tray.
• Reduce the heat under the same cast-iron skillet and add the onion, garlic and rosemary. Stir occasionally and cook until the onions are translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the butter and capers and scrape the skillet as the butter melts to deglaze. Add the chicken stock and lemon juice, stirring to combine. Add the chicken pieces back to warm through and allow the sauce to reduce, another 2 to 3 minutes, spooning the sauce over the chicken to coat.
• Garnish with the lemon supremes and serve.

MARK'S SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS

Steps:

• In a large saute pan, heat 2 teaspoons olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and saute until translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Place ground meats in a large mixing bowl. Remove onions from heat, and add to ground meats. Add egg white, egg yolks, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and breadcrumbs to bowl, and combine. Season with salt and pepper. Add the red-pepper flakes and oregano, and mix well to combine.
• Roll the ground-meat mixture into golf ballâ??sized meatballs. Place on a baking sheet covered with breadcrumbs, and roll. In a large skillet, heat 1/4 cup olive oil over medium heat. Add meatballs, and brown on all sides, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove meatballs from the pan, and transfer them to a baking sheet lined with paper towels. Discard remaining oil. Return meatballs to pan, and cover with 3 cups tomato sauce. Slowly simmer over medium heat, until meatballs are heated through, about 15 minutes.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti, and cook until al dente, about 6 to 8 minutes, or according to package instructions. Drain, and add cooked spaghetti to the sauce mixture. Cook for an additional 2 minutes. Serve immediately.

MARK STRAUSMAN'S CHICKEN PICCATA

Steps:

• Place chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap. Using a meat tenderizer, pound chicken breasts slightly to an even thickness.
• Dredge chicken in flour, shaking to remove excess. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken. Season with salt and pepper. Cook chicken until just golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Remove excess oil from skillet, and add wine, capers, lemon juice, parsley, and stock. Cook until heated through, about 2 minutes. Serve chicken with sauce from skillet and sauteed vegetables.

MARK STRAUSMAN'S TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Puree tomatoes in a food mill, removing most of the seeds. In a medium stockpot, heat olive oil over medium heat, add garlic, and saute until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Add red-pepper flakes. While oil is sizzling, slowly add half of the pureed tomatoes and the wine, stirring to mix. Add remaining tomatoes, reduce heat to low, and let simmer. Add oregano, and continue to simmer until slightly thickened, 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Add basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. The sauce may be kept in the refrigerator up to 3 or 4 days in an airtight plastic container or in the freezer for up to 1 month.