Chicken Hearts Recipe 355

DARK AND STORMY WITH CANDIED CHICKEN HEARTS

Steps:

• For the candied chicken hearts: Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Line a sheet tray with a silicone pad.
• Add the chicken hearts to the boiling water and blanch just until they are starting to looked cooked, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove to an ice bath. Drain on a paper towels, then place 1 chicken heart on each of 4 skewers (like lollipops ready for dipping). Set aside.
• Combine the sugar and 1/4 cup water in a small pot over medium-high heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Cook the sugar, without stirring, until the caramel is an amber color, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and set aside on a trivet.
• Once the caramel starts to thicken, dip the skewered chicken hearts into the caramel, and place on the silicone pad to cool and harden while you make the drink.
• For the Dark and Stormy: Fill each of 4 tall glasses with crushed ice. Evenly divide the spiced rum and lime juice among the glasses and top each with the ginger beer. Garnish with a chicken heart skewer. Serve cold.

CHICKEN HEARTS WITH MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook and stir onion until soft and translucent, 4 to 6 minutes. Add chicken hearts and brown, stirring constantly, about 3 minutes. Cover skillet, reduce heat, and cook until hearts are no longer pink in the center, about 10 minutes. Add mushrooms and mix well. Cook, covered, for an additional 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

CHICKEN HEARTS

Steps:

• Marinate (optional): combine the garlic, olive oil, and salt/pepper in a bag and add the chicken hearts; marinate for 2-3 hours.
• Saute the leek or onion and additional garlic and ginger (if using) in olive oil until soft.
• Add the chicken hearts and saute over medium heat until done, stirring occasionally.
• Alternatively, saute chicken hearts halfway and finish in the broiler.
• Can also be cooked on skewers on the grill. Be sure to soak the skewers in water first.
• Time does not include optional marination time.

SPICY CUMIN CHICKEN HEART SKEWERS

Steps:

• To make the chicken hearts: Butterfly the chicken hearts by slicing them lengthwise, cutting deeply without cutting them entirely in half.
• Smash the green onions and ginger with clean hands to release their flavors.
• Add the smashed green onions and ginger, along with the Sichuan peppercorns, five-spice powder, cooking wine, and salt to a container along with 1 cup (240 ml) water to make a marinade.
• Add the chicken hearts to the marinade and stir well to combine. Cover the container with plastic wrap and let marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Any longer and you risk over-marinating.
• To grill and serve: Thread 5 chicken hearts onto each skewer. The skewers may be kept refrigerated, covered, before cooking for no longer than 2 hours.
• Prepare a robata or other grill with charcoal that has turned ashy gray and is smoldering hot but not actively emitting flames. Set the skewers down on the grill surface and cook for 2 minutes, then flip over and cook for an additional 2 minutes. When the meat tightens up and oil begins to seep out, it is almost done. At this point, brush the oil on one side of the meat, then sprinkle half of the cumin, red chili powder, and salt, to taste, on top.
• Flip the skewers over and season the other side in the same way. Flip the skewers once more and toast the newly seasoned side for about 30 seconds. Cook for about a minute or so more on each side.
• Remove the cooked skewers to a plate, sprinkle with the sesame seeds, and serve immediately.
• Note: When brushing oil and sauce on the meat while over the fire, do so sparingly, dabbing off any excess, so it doesn't drip onto the flames. If at any point the flames flare up, remove the skewers from the grill until the flames die down.