Red Eye Chicken Recipes

CHICKEN-FRIED EGGPLANT WITH CREAMY RED-EYE GRAVY

Steps:

• For the eggplant: Lay the eggplant slices out on a paper or kitchen towel-lined cutting board and sprinkle with salt. Let sit for 20 to 30 minutes. (This will pull the moisture out.)
• Heat 1 inch oil in a 14-inch cast-iron pan to 350 degrees F. Line a sheet tray or workstation with kitchen towels or paper towels.
• Sprinkle the flour with salt and pepper in a bowl. Pat the eggplant dry with more paper or kitchen towels, then dip each slice in the buttermilk followed by the seasoned flour. Repeat 1 more time. Fry the eggplant in batches until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Remove from the oil and drain on the prepared workstation.
• For the gravy: Add the ham to a large cast-iron pan over medium heat and let the fat begin to render and get crispy, about 3 minutes. Deglaze the pan with the strong coffee and add the butter, stirring constantly, to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
• Shingle the eggplant pieces in a large shallow dish. Top with the gravy and more pieces of ham. Serve.

STUFFED CHICKEN WITH KONA COFFEE RED-EYE GRAVY

Steps:

• For the gravy: Add the beef stock to a large saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil. Mix in the hot roux, 1/2 cup at a time, until it reaches the desired thickness. Reduce the heat and stir in the coffee grounds. Remove from the heat.
• For the stuffed chicken: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Add 2 tablespoons of the oil to a saute pan over medium heat. Place the onions in the pan and cook until caramelized. Then add the mushrooms and cook for another couple of minutes until tender. Lightly season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat.
• Combine the mozzarella, Cheddar, Parmesan and rosemary in a small bowl.
• Butterfly the chicken breasts and tenderize. Lightly salt and pepper both sides of the chicken breasts. Lay the prosciutto on one half of each breast and cover with the cheese blend. Fold the prosciutto over so it holds the cheese in, then fold over the other half of the chicken. Dust the chicken in flour.
• Heat the remaining oil in an oven-safe large saute pan over medium-high. Once the oil is hot, place the chicken in the pan and brown both sides. Once the chicken is brown, remove from the stove and place in the oven until the chicken is cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven.
• To assemble: Place the chicken on a plate, top with caramelized onions and mushrooms and top with gravy. Best served with a side of buttery mashed potatoes and sauteed seasonal vegetables. Enjoy!
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Chop the beef trimmings into 1-inch cubes and place on a perforated pan. Place the pan on a baking sheet and place into the oven. Cook the beef until browned, 30 to 45 minutes.
• Separate the beef from the drippings, saving the drippings for the roux.
• Heat the oil in a large stock pot over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, mushrooms, onions and celery and saute until tender. Add the beef trimmings and the water. Season with the garlic, salt, peppercorns, thyme and bay leaves and bring to a boil. Then cover and reduce the heat. Simmer on low heat for 8 hours.
• Strain and add the Kona coffee to the beef stock. Stock can be made a day in advance.
• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add beef drippings. Once the butter and drippings are hot, whisk in the flour until blended smoothly. Remove from the heat and use for the gravy recipe.

GRILLED CHICKEN WITH REDEYE BBQ SAUCE

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the hot coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only to medium-high heat.
• Sprinkle the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper and drizzle with the oil. Place the chicken skin-side up over direct heat and close the grill. Cook for 2 minutes. Flip the chicken and continue to cook with the lid down for 1 additional minute.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the barbecue sauce and coffee in a small saucepan.
• Flip the chicken again so it's skin-side up, move over to indirect heat and brush with some of the redeye barbecue sauce. Close the grill and cook, brushing with the redeye barbecue sauce every 10 minutes, until instant-read thermometer registers 160 degrees F, about 25 minutes. Remove the chicken from the grill and rest at least 5 minutes before serving. Bring the leftover redeye barbecue sauce to a simmer over direct heat for several minutes. Serve the chicken with the redeye barbecue sauce on the side or poured over.
• (Alternatively, you can bake the chicken skin-side up on a wire rack-lined rimmed baking sheet in a 450 degrees F oven for 25 minutes. You do not need to flip the chicken.)Who's Dining:

RED EYE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat 1 T. oil in skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken to pan and sprinkle with half the seasonings (to be honest, I don't even measure them, I just sprinkle them on until the chicken has a nice dusting).
• Brown for 2-3 minutes. Turn chicken and sprinkle with remaining seasonings. Continue frying until chicken is cooked through, turning if necessary to cook evenly. Remove chicken to serving platter.
• To skillet, add remaining 1 T. oil and flour. Cook and stir for 3-4 minutes, until flour is well combined and brown.
• Gradually add broth and tomato sauce to flour mixture, stirring until sauce is smooth and thickened. Season with salt and cayenne to taste.
• Spoon sauce over chicken and serve.

RED EYE

Steps:

• Combine in a glass.

RED EYE (RED BEER)

Steps:

• Pour tomato juice followed by beer in a chilled mug.
• Throw in a pinch of salt and a twist of lime (if using).
• Garnish with olives and serve.