Zuni CafÉ Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes Recipes

ZUNI CAFé CHICKEN

Steps:

• Season the chicken 1 to 3 days before serving (for 3 1/4- to 3 1/2-pound chickens, at least 2 days): Remove and discard the lump of fat inside the chicken. Pat the chicken very dry (a wet chicken will spend too much time steaming before it begins to turn golden brown).
• Slide a finger under the skin of each of the breasts, making 2 little pockets, then use a fingertip to gently loosen a pocket of skin on the outside of the thickest section of each thigh. Push an herb sprig into each of the 4 pockets.
• Using about 3/4 teaspoon sea salt per pound of chicken and pepper to taste, season the chicken liberally all over with salt and the pepper. Sprinkle a little of the salt just inside the cavity and on the backbone. Twist and tuck the wing tips behind the shoulders. Cover loosely and refrigerate.
• When you're ready to cook the chicken, heat the oven to 475 degrees. Depending on your oven and the size of your bird, you may need to adjust the heat to as high as 500 degrees or as low as 450 degrees during roasting to brown the chicken properly.
• Choose a shallow flameproof roasting pan or dish barely larger than the chicken, or use a 10-inch skillet with an all-metal handle. Preheat the pan over medium heat. Wipe the chicken dry and set it breast side up in the pan. It should sizzle.
• Place in the center of the oven and watch for it to start sizzling and browning within 20 minutes. If it doesn't, raise the temperature progressively until it does. The skin should blister, but if the chicken begins to char, or the fat is smoking, reduce the temperature by 25 degrees. After about 30 minutes, turn the bird over (drying the bird and preheating the pan should keep the skin from sticking). Roast for another 10 to 20 minutes, depending on size, then flip back over to re-crisp the breast skin, another 5 to 10 minutes. Total oven time will be 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Remove the chicken from the roasting pan and set on a plate. Pour the clear fat from the pan, leaving the drippings. Add about a tablespoon of water to the hot pan and swirl. Slash the stretched skin between the thighs and breasts of the chicken, then tilt the bird and plate over the roasting pan to drain the juice into the drippings. As the chicken rests, tilt the roasting pan and skim the last of the fat. Place over medium-low heat, add any juice that has collected under the chicken, and bring to a simmer. Stir and scrape.
• Cut the chicken into pieces and pour the pan drippings over the chicken.

BUTTERMILK MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil.
• Meanwhile, peel the potatoes and cut them into 1-1/2" cubes.
• Add them to the boiling water and bring the water back to a boil.
• Lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes, until the potatoes fall apart easily when pierced with a fork.
• Meanwhile, heat the whole milk (ONLY - don't be tempted to heat the buttermilk with the whole milk and cream; it will curdle) and butter in a small saucepan, making sure it doesn't boil.
• Set aside until the potatoes are done.
• As soon as the potatoes are tender, drain them in a colander.
• Place a food mill fitted with a small disk or blade over a heat-proof bowl.
• Pass the potatoes through the food mill, turning the handle back and forth.
• As soon as the potatoes are mashed, stir in the hot-milk-and-butter mixture with a rubber spatula.
• Add enough buttermilk to make the potatoes creamy.
• Add 2 teaspoons of salt and the pepper, or more to taste, and serve hot.
• To keep the potatoes warm, place the bowl over a pan of simmering water for up to 30 minutes.
• You can add a little extra hot milk to keep them creamy.
• Enjoy!
• The Barefoot Contessa served this with roast capon, green beans with shalotts, orange-honey glazed carrots and pumpkin mousse parfait.

ZUNI CAFÉ BUTTERMILK MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Place the potato chunks in a 2- to 4-quart saucepan and add cold water to cover by an inch or so. Stir in salt until you can just taste it clearly (I use a scant teaspoon sea salt per quart of water). Bring the potatoes to a boil, uncovered, and cook until very tender, about 8 to 15 minutes, depending on variety. Drain and mash while the potatoes are piping hot, then beat in the hot milk, half-and-half, or cream, and then the buttermilk. Finish with the butter. Whip vigorously, taste for salt, and serve immediately, or keep warm, covered, in a double boiler, for up to 30 minutes.