The new book by Susan Spungen, founding food editor and editorial director for food at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia for 12 years, focuses on low-stress entertaining. Recipes: A Collection for the Modern Cook helps readers get in touch with their inner Martha -- only without the ankle bracelet.
From Recipes: A Collection for the Modern Cook
Pancetta Chicken with Lemon Fries
Boneless chicken breasts get a little special treatment, rendering them fit for company, but this recipe is so easy, you might make it a family regular. Roasted garlic adds loads of flavor, but this dish is perfectly delicious without it, too.
Pancetta is pork belly that has been cured, but not smoked, with spices and salt for several months. The pancetta for this recipe should be sliced thin but not paper-thin. Don't be shy when you are in the store. Ask the deli person to show you a slice. You should be able to wrap it around your hand, and have it stick. If you can see through it, it is too thin. If it is too thick to wrap around your hand and stick by itself, it is too thick.
Ingredients:
6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 3 pounds)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 head roasted garlic, optional
18 very thin slices of pancetta
16 large sage leaves
4 large russet (baking) potatoes (about 3 pounds total), scrubbed
1 lemon, cut in half
4 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 cup chicken stock
Coarse sea salt
Directions:
1.) Wash and dry the chicken. Remove the tenderloin and set aside for another use. Season both sides lightly with kosher salt and pepper. Using a fork, spread the roasted garlic, if using, all over the chicken breasts. On the top side of the breast, lay s slice of pancetta over the lower portion of the breast, wrapping it snugly so it adheres. Lay a sage leaf on the center of the breast, and wrap the upper portion with a second slice of pancetta. Turn the breast over and wrap a third slice of pancetta over the back of the breast. Repeat with the remaining chicken, transferring the pieces to a plate as you go. (The chicken can be made in advance up to this point. Just wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate.)
2.) Preheat the oven to 450 F and position one rack in the lower third of the oven and one in the upper third. Slice the potatoes lengthwise into 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick slices, then cut the slices into 1/4 inch thick fries.
3.) Toss the potatoes, lemon, 10 sage leaves, oil, and a pinch of kosher salt and pepper in a large bowl until well coated. Arrange the potatoes in a single layer on a large baking sheet and transfer to the lower oven rack for 15 minutes. Gently stir and rearrange the potatoes so they brown evenly and return to the oven until they are browned on all sides, tossing several times, about 30 minutes more.
4.) Meanwhile, heat a large cast-iron skillet or grill pan over high heat until it is very hot. Drizzle the pancetta-wrapped chicken with oil and place in the pan with the sage leaf side down. Cook over high heat until the pancetta is brown, about five minutes. Turn the breasts over and transfer the pan to the upper rack of the oven for 15 minutes, or until cooked through.
5.) Remove the chicken from the pan, transfer to a plate, and set aside. Deglaze the pan with the wine over high heat. Reduce the wine until almost evaporated, and add the chicken stock. Continue to cook until reduced by half.
6.) Transfer the chicken and potatoes to a large platter. Squeeze any juice left in the lemon halves over the potatoes and sprinkle them with coarse sea salt. Serve potatoes and chicken on a large platter with the pan juices on the side.
Copyright 2005 HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
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