Sarasotas Chicken And Dumplings With Artichokes Leeks Recipes

SARASOTA'S CHICKEN, ARTICHOKE AND SHRIMP CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Casserole -- Use 1/2 tablespoon to grease a 11x13" casserole dish or one similar in size or even a bit smaller. Add the cooked chicken, shrimp, and artichokes and set to the side.
• Mushrooms and Sauce -- In a large saute pan, add 1/2 tablespoon butter and bring to medium heat. Add the mushrooms, onion and scallions and cook 3-4 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
• Then in the same sauce pan, add in the butter for the sauce and melt on medium heat. Then stir in the flour mixing well to combine. Slowly add in the sherry, worcestershire sauce and the half and half or light cream whisking or stirring as you add the liquid until you get a smooth sauce. Check for seasoning, salt and pepper and bring to a light boil. Just medium to medium high heat. The sauce will naturally thicken. You want the consistency like gravy. If necessary, you can add a bit more cream if it is too thick, but it should be just about right.
• Casserole -- Top the casserole with the parmesan cheese and the paprika and bake in a 350 degree oven on the middle shelf for 30-45 minutes until bubbly and golden brown. Uncovered. Remove, cover with foil and let rest 5-10 minutes before serving.
• Bread -- I love to stretch the cost of the dinner out and serve this over grilled slices of baguettes. 1-2 slices per person and NO butter or olive oil required. Just brown under the boiler and top with the casserole. Makes a perfect dish.
• Serve -- A nice salad is perfect with this. ENJOY!

PAN-ROASTED CHICKEN WITH LEEKS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Put the bacon in a large heavy-bottomed ovenproof skillet and cook over medium-high heat until some of the fat renders, about 5 minutes. Push the bacon to the side of the pan. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then add it to the pan and cook, turning, until it starts to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and leeks, then arrange the chicken on top of the bacon-leek mixture. Transfer to the oven and roast until the chicken is golden and a thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 160 degrees F, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a platter.
• Carefully return the skillet to the stovetop over medium-high heat. Sprinkle in the flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add the broth and half-and-half and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Bring to a boil and cook until slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Stir in the parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice. Spoon the leek mixture over the chicken. Serve with the remaining lemon wedges.
• Per serving: Calories 418; Fat 24 g (Saturated 8 g); Cholesterol 147 mg; Sodium 322 mg; Carbohydrate 14 g; Fiber 1 g; Protein 34 g

CHICKEN WITH ARTICHOKES AND LEMON

Steps:

• If using fresh artichokes, fill a large bowl with water. Cut 1 lemon in half then squeeze the juice into the water; add the spent lemon halves to the bowl, too.
• Prepare the artichokes one at a time, rubbing them all over with the spent lemon halves as you cut and expose the inner artichoke heart. First, cut off at least 1 inch of the thorny top. Trim the stem near the heart, leaving about 2 inches of stem if possible, then peel off the outer green fiber of the stem. Using your fingers, tear off the tough outer leaves, then switch to a sharp paring or bird's beak knife, when necessary, to shave more inner artichoke leaves until you reach the tender pale green or yellow leaves and create a bulbous shape. Gently open the leaves and remove the choke using a grapefruit spoon or melon baller, then scrape and tear (or slice) the remaining leaves off so that only the bottom remains. Cut the artichoke heart in quarters; put the quarters in the lemon water as you work to prevent discoloration. Discard the rest of the artichoke, leaves and stem, or reserve for another use.
• Pat chicken dry, then season all over with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, warm the olive oil over medium-high heat, then add the chicken, skin-side down. Cook, undisturbed until well browned, 7 to 8 minutes. Flip and brown the other side, about 5 minutes. Transfer chicken thighs to a plate and spoon out about 3 tablespoons of fat from the pan, if desired. (You can discard the excess fat or save for another use.)
• Return the skillet to medium heat and add the onion, garlic, parsley and saffron. Season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle the cinnamon over the onion, then stir to combine.
• Add the broth to deglaze, scraping the bottom of the pan, and bring to a simmer over medium-high. Return the chicken to the pan, nestling it into the pan skin-side up. Arrange the artichokes between the chicken pieces, cover, and simmer over medium-low until the chicken is cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon and transfer to a plate.
• Raise the heat to medium-high and cook until the sauce is thickened and the artichokes slightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in the juice from half the remaining lemon, taste, and adjust with salt and more lemon juice if needed. Spoon artichokes and pan sauces over the chicken, sprinkle with parsley to garnish, and serve.