Alex Guarnaschellis Chicken Parmesan With Spaghetti Waffles Recipes

CHICKEN PARMESAN WITH MY MOTHER'S MARINARA SAUCE AND BUCATINI

Steps:

• For the sauce: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and a pinch of salt and cook for a few minutes until the onions are softened slightly but not brown. Stir in the garlic, sugar and red pepper flakes. (If the onions begin to brown, add a splash of water.)
• Stir in the grated carrots and the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and continue to cook until the carrots soften, about 2 minutes. Add the canned tomatoes and use a wooden spoon to break up some of the whole tomatoes. Cook over medium heat, stirring from time to time, until the tomatoes are fairly broken down and the sauce has thickened, at least 30 minutes. Season to taste and add water as necessary. Stir in the basil leaves. Keep the sauce warm.
• For the chicken: Lay a piece of chicken between two pieces of plastic wrap and use the smooth side of a meat mallet to pound into a 1/4-inch-thick cutlet. Repeat with remaining cutlet then slice both pieces in half.
• Line a baking sheet with paper towels and set aside. Combine the breadcrumbs and garlic powder in a shallow dish. Crack the eggs in a second shallow dish and whisk to blend. Sprinkle the chicken pieces on both sides with salt and dip each thoroughly in the eggs; transfer to the breadcrumbs to thoroughly coat. Place the chicken on the paper towels.
• For the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add a generous amount of salt. (The pasta water should taste like seawater.) Add the pasta to the pot and stir so it doesn't stick. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente (chewy but not hard or raw tasting). Drain well and set aside.
• To finish the chicken: Fill a medium cast-iron skillet with about 1/3 to 1/2 cup canola oil (to come about 1/4 of the way up the sides) and heat over medium until the oil is just barely starting to smoke. Sprinkle the top of each cutlet with salt and gently place in the oil, salted-side down. Add the butter to the pan and as it begins to foam, shake the pan gently. Cook on the first side until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Gently flip to the second side, sprinkle with salt and carefully spoon some of the hot oil mixture on top. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, an additional 2 to 3 minutes, then remove from the pan with a slotted spatula to clean paper towels to drain slightly.
• Preheat the broiler with the rack in the highest position. Divide the sauce between 2 medium bowls, one for the pasta and one for the chicken Parmesan.
• To assemble the chicken Parmesan, add some tomato sauce to a small cast-iron skillet or baking dish. Layer with a couple mozzarella slices and the basil. Put one of the fried chicken cutlets on top of the basil, followed by another spoonful of sauce, then a second layer of mozzarella. Place the second chicken cutlet next, followed by a third layer of sauce, more mozzarella and a large sprinkle of Parmesan. Repeat with the remaining pieces of chicken and other ingredients in a second small cast-iron skillet. Place the skillets on a sheet tray and broil until the cheese is melted and slightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Top with more freshly grated Parmesan.
• Toss the pasta and sauce together in a large bowl and taste for seasoning. Top with grated Parmesan. Serve with the skillets of chicken parm.

ALEX GUARNASCHELLI'S MOTHER CHICKEN WITH BBQ

Steps:

• Prepare the barbeque sauce:
• In a medium saucepan or a large high-sided saute pan, combine the ketchup, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, light brown sugar, dark brown sugar, dry mustard, Dijon mustard and chili powder. Whisk to blend. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add the ginger, garlic and lemon slices and stir to combine. Simmer until the vinegar mellows slightly and the flavors start to meld together, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Discard the ginger pieces.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Position the rack in the lower third of the oven. Line a baking sheet (or, if needed, 2 baking sheets) with foil. Season the chicken parts on both sides with salt, to taste. Pour about 1 1/2 cups of the barbeque sauce into a large bowl. Reserve the remaining sauce on the side. Submerge the chicken pieces in the sauce and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet with some of the lemon slices. The chicken should all be in a single layer with a little space between them. If additional space is needed, use the second baking sheet. Brush with barbeque sauce.
• Put the baking sheet(s) in the oven and bake, undisturbed, for 20 minutes. Remove the chicken from the oven and use a pair of metal tings to turn the pieces to the other side. Use a pastry brush to coat the second side of the chicken with the barbeque sauce from the bowl. Do not reuse that bowl or brush again. Return the sheet(s) to the oven and cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes. Poke a thigh with the tip of a small knife and verify the chicken juices run's clear. and not pink. Turn the broiler on and broil for a minute until the chicken is charred on top.
• Warm the reserved barbeque sauce in a small saucepan over low heat. Pour into a serving bowl.
• Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and serve immediately with the warm sauce on the side.

CHICKEN PARMESAN WITH SPAGHETTI

Steps:

• Make the sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and puree with an immersion blender, or puree in a regular blender in small batches and return to the pot. You should have about 4 cups sauce.
• Meanwhile, make the chicken: Preheat the oven to 450˚. Put the flour in a shallow dish. Whisk the eggs in a separate shallow dish. Combine the breadcrumbs, parsley and oregano in a third dish. Lay the chicken on a piece of plastic wrap and cover with another piece of plastic. Pound the chicken on both sides with the flat side of a meat mallet or a skillet until 1/4 inch thick. Season the chicken with salt and pepper on both sides. Working with 1 piece at a time, dredge the chicken in the flour, shaking off any excess, then dip in the eggs, letting the excess drip off, and dredge in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to adhere on both sides. Transfer to a plate.
• Set a wire rack on a baking sheet. Heat about 1/2 inch vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Carefully add 2 pieces of chicken and cook, gently moving them around in the pan with tongs, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. (Adjust the heat as needed if the chicken is browning too quickly.) Remove the chicken to the rack to drain. Lightly sprinkle with salt. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
• Transfer the chicken to a clean baking sheet and top each piece with 1/2 cup tomato sauce and 2 slices mozzarella. Bake until the cheese is melted, bubbling and browned in spots, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain. Warm the remaining tomato sauce (about 2 cups) over low heat. Add the spaghetti and 1/2 cup reserved cooking water; toss, adding more cooking water as needed. Season with salt and pepper.
• Top the chicken with parmesan and basil. Serve with the spaghetti.