Salt Baked Chickens With Spring Vegetable And Mushroom Ragout Recipes

MUSHROOM AND SPRING VEGETABLE RISOTTO

Steps:

• Cut asparagus just below the tips, then on an angle at 1/4-inch intervals, discarding the woody part at the bottom. Set aside.
• Bring water to a simmer and add 2 teaspoons of the salt. Keep on a low simmer.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, until crispy and browned. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper, to taste, and set aside.
• In a large saucepan, add another 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat and let brown slightly until nutty. Add the shallot to the pot and cook until translucent, about 2 minutes. Add the rice and stir so that it is coated with the butter and glossy, about 1 minute. Stir in the remaining 2 1/2 teaspoons salt. Add the vermouth and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until it is absorbed by the rice. Add the thyme springs. Ladle in about 1/2 cup of the simmering water and stir constantly, until the rice again absorbs the liquid, adjusting the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Continue ladling in about 1/2 cup of water at a time, stirring between additions and letting the rice absorb the liquid before adding more.
• When rice has absorbed about half the water (about 10 minutes into cooking process), stir in lemon zest. Continue stirring and adding water, 5 minutes more. Add asparagus. When rice is tender but al dente, after 20 or so minutes of cooking time, stop adding water. Vigorously beat in the remaining butter and cheese. Add the mushrooms, peas and lemon juice and stir just until heated through. Remove from heat. Let risotto rest for a minute or so before serving. Divide among 4 warm bowls, grind a generous amount of pepper over each, and serve.

RAGOUT OF SPRING VEGETABLES WITH MORELS

Steps:

• Place morels in a bowl, and cover with warm water. Place potatoes in a large saucepan, cover with salted water, and simmer 5 minutes. Add carrots, onions, turnips and celery, and simmer another 15 minutes. Drain vegetables, and set aside.
• Drain morels, reserving 1/3 cup soaking liquid, strained. Rinse morels, and pat dry.
• Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add morels, potatoes, carrots, onions, turnips and celery. Sauté about 5 minutes, until potatoes begin to color. Add stock and reserved morel liquid. Boil a few minutes, until liquid reduces and thickens a bit. Recipe can be prepared in advance to this point.
• Stir in asparagus and scallions. Rapidly simmer 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Fold in remaining oil, scatter with chervil, and serve.

SPRING VEGETABLE RAGOUT

Steps:

• Break off the stem ends of the sugar snap peas, and pull off the strings. Set aside.
• Rinse the asparagus, and snap off the ends where they break naturally. Cut the stalks in thirds. Set aside.
• Squeeze the lemon into a bowl of water large enough to hold the artichokes, and put the squeezed halves in the bowl. Trim the stem ends of the artichokes, and slice about 1/4 inch off the tops. Pull off one or two layers of the outer leaves, slice the artichokes in half lengthwise and drop them into the bowl of acidulated water.
• Place a large, heavy saute pan or skillet over high heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and half the scallions. Saute until they soften, then add the peas and stir-fry until they begin to turn bright green. Add the asparagus, and continue to stir-fry about 3 minutes, until asparagus turns bright green. Remove vegetables from pan.
• Add another tablespoon of the oil, the remaining scallions and the artichokes. Stir-fry over high heat for 2 to 3 minutes, until the artichokes barely start to brown. Add the chicken stock and thyme, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until the artichokes are tender, about 20 minutes. Return the peas and asparagus to the pan, and cook, uncovered, over medium heat until the peas and the artichokes are also tender, about 5 minutes longer. There should be enough liquid in the pan to moisten the vegetables. If not, add a little more stock.
• Stir in the remaining oil, season to taste with salt and pepper, dust with parsley and serve.

SALT BAKED CHICKENS WITH SPRING VEGETABLE AND MUSHROOM RAGOUT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 550 degrees. Mix together the salt and pepper. Rub chicken with oil inside and out, then liberally coat with salt mix. Place chicken, breast-side up, in the oven and cook for about 25 minutes, or until golden brown. The chicken may have to be rotated for even coloring. When chicken is fully browned turn the oven down to 300 degrees. Cover with foil to prevent burning. Chicken will take another 35 to 45 minutes. Chicken is done when one can move the wing back and forth with great ease. Another test is piercing between the thigh and breast and the juices should run clear. Allow chicken to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
• For the Spring Vegetable and Mushroom Ragout: In a large, hot saucepan, add 2 tablespoons butter and saute shallots and garlic until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and saute. Season. Deglaze with white wine and reduce by 50 percent. Add chicken stock, soy, and thyme. Bring to a simmer, add peas, edamames, favas, carrots, and snap peas. Add the truffle oil and season. Check for seasoning. Bring back to temperature. Right before serving, add the chives.
• Using a large platter, serve a large mound of the ragout. Top with 2 chickens and serve family style.
• Wine Suggestion: York Creek, Pinot Blanc, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, 1996 Bedford Thompson, Cabernet Franc, Santa Barbara County, 1994
• In a medium bowl, mix the shredded chicken, ragout and basil oil. Check for seasoning. Fill the crock pots and place the puff pastry on top tightly. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 25 minutes or until crust is dark brown. Serve as soon as possible.
• For the Basil Oil: In a blender, puree garlic, ginger, lime juice, salt and sugar and oil until smooth. Do not overmix thereby heating the mixture. Add the basil and puree smooth. Check for seasoning.
• Wine Suggestion: York Creek, Pinot Blanc, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, 1996 Bedford Thompson, Cabernet Franc, Santa Barbara County, 1994
• In a blender, add the Dijon and vinegars and blend. Drizzle in the oils to emulsify. In a large salad bowl, toss the chicken, pasta, tomatoes and basil. Season with salt and black pepper. Check for flavor.
• In a large pasta bowl, plate the entire salad and garnish with basil tops.
• Yield: 4 servings
• Wine Suggestion: York Creek, Pinot Blanc, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, 1996 Bedford Thompson, Cabernet Franc, Santa Barbara County, 1994