Herb Paste Recipes

ROASTED HALVED CHICKEN WITH GARLIC-HERB PASTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Garlic-Herb Paste: Combine the rosemary, lemon zest, garlic, olive oil, cayenne, Dijon mustard, and salt and pepper to taste, in a small bowl. Stir to incorporate.
• Rub chicken with Garlic-Herb Paste. Let marinate at room temperature for 1 hour.
• Coat a large cast iron skillet lightly with olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Oil the bottom of a second cast iron skillet, of equal or smaller size.
• Put the chicken, skin side down, in first pan, and top it with the second pan, oiled-side down on top of the chicken. If you don't have a second cast iron skillet, use a regular pan and weigh it down with 2 heavy cans. Sear chicken until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Remove top skillet, flip the chicken and transfer to the oven. Cook until chicken is cooked through, about 35 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and serve.

HERB PASTA DOUGH

Steps:

• In a food processor combine the flour, salt, eggs, oil and 1/4 cup water; process until dough begins to form a ball. Add more water, only if needed, 1 teaspoon at a time. Process 30 seconds more to knead. Remove dough from processor and rest, covered with inverted bowl, at room temperature for 1 hour.
• Divide dough into 4 pieces. Set rollers of pasta machine at widest setting. Flatten 1 piece of dough into a rectangle (cover other pieces with inverted bowl). Lightly dust rectangle with flour and feed through rollers. Fold rectangle in half and feed through rollers 6 to 8 more times, folding in half each time and dusting lightly with flour to keep it from sticking to machine. Turn dial down one notch and feed the dough to last setting. Repeat with other 3 pieces.
• Cut sheets of dough into equal lengths. Cover surface of one sheet with fresh herb leaves (stems removed). Top with second dough sheet. With lightly floured rolling pin, roll dough sheets to seal. With pastry wheel or knife, cut dough into large shapes and dust very lightly with flour. Transfer to parchment lined baking sheet and dry slightly.

HERB PASTE

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor; process until smooth, scraping down the sides and adding more oil as necessary.

CILANTRO PASTE

Steps:

• Rinse the cilantro well and pat dry. Place the leaves in a food processor with the garlic, coconut milk, peanuts and lime juice.
• Process into a fine puree and season with 1 teaspoon of salt or to taste. Divide into 1/4 cup containers and freeze.
• USES: Use to liven up a Tofu and vegetable salad or to spoon into a plain chicken broth with vermicelli.

FRESH BASIL PASTE

Steps:

• Rinse the basil well and pat dry. In a food processor, puree basil with garlic until coarsely chopped. While the processor is running, slowly drizzle in the oil and process until finely pureed. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• USES: Grill or broil some sword fish and each portion with a tablespoonful or so of basil puree. Spoon a tablespoonful or so into each portion of canned vegetable soup.

HERB PASTE

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine herbs, olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Stir in lemon juice.