Chicken With Riesling And Grapes Recipes

CRISPY ROAST CHICKEN WITH RIESLING, GRAPES AND TARRAGON

Steps:

• Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 8, 230°C or 450°F.
• First of all, the chicken and the grapes need to be at room temperature, so remove them from the fridge about an hour (half an hour on a hot day) before cooking. Snip off the strings and open out the chicken.
• Reserve four sprigs of tarragon for later, then strip off the leaves and chop them, reserving a tablespoonful. Now cut the grapes in half and finely chop the shallot. Next, in a bowl, combine the shallots, chopped tarragon and about two-thirds of the grapes, then place the whole lot inside the body cavity of the chicken.
• Then season the chicken with salt and pepper and place it in a roasting tin into the lower third of the oven and roast for 1 hour - without opening the door. (Because ovens vary, test the thickest part of the chicken with a skewer and if the juices run clear, it's cooked. If not, give it another 5-10 minutes.).
• What you now need to do is spoon out the grape stuffing and keep on one side. Then put a wooden spoon into the cavity and, using a spatula to hold the breast end, tip the chicken and let all the juices run out into the roasting tin. Transfer the chicken to a carving board and leave in a warm place to rest for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place the tin over direct heat, add the wine and let the whole lot bubble and reduce by half - this will take about 5-6 minutes. Then whisk in the creme fraiche, add the stuffing and the rest of the grapes, and let it gently bubble for another 8 minutes. Finally add the reserved chopped tarragon, carve the chicken, spoon the sauce over and garnish with sprigs of tarragon.
• Notes on ingredients: For a 1.76kg chicken it will take an extra 10 minutes and may smoke a little because of the extra fat content but it's nothing to worry about.

ROAST CHICKEN WITH GRAPES

Steps:

• Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F. Cook the couscous as the label directs, omitting any oil or butter. Fluff with a fork and toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Cover and keep warm. Meanwhile, put the chicken and onion on a rimmed baking sheet and toss with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, the herbes de Provence, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Arrange the chicken skin-side up and roast until the chicken begins to brown, about 15 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and scatter the grapes on top. Continue roasting until the chicken is golden brown and the grapes are soft, 15 to 20 more minutes. Divide the chicken, onion and grapes among plates and drizzle with the pan drippings. Serve with the couscous.

CHICKEN WITH RIESLING AND GRAPES

Steps:

• In a large skillet heat the butter and the oil over moderately high heat until the foam subsides, in the fat brown the chicken on all sides for 8 minutes, or until it is golden, and transfer it with tongs to a plate. Reduce the heat to moderately low and in the fat remaining in the skillet cook the shallot and the garlic for 3 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook the roux, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the Riesling and cook the mixture, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the broth, the lemon juice, the thyme, and salt and pepper to taste and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring. Return the chicken to the skillet with any juices that have accumulated on the plate and simmer the mixture, covered, for 15 minutes. Add the grapes and simmer the mixture, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.

CHICKEN WITH RIESLING

Steps:

• Put the butter in a skillet large enough to hold the chicken and turn the heat to medium. Add the onions, a large pinch of salt, and some pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions soften completely and begin to melt into a soft mass, about 20 minutes.
• Add 1 1/2 cups of the wine and let it bubble away for a minute, then tuck the chicken pieces among the onions; sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Turn the heat to low and cover the pan.
• Cook, turning the chicken pieces once or twice, for 40 to 60 minutes, or until the chicken is very tender (the meat on the drumsticks will begin to loosen from the bone). If the dish appears to be drying out at any point, add the remaining wine.
• Serve the chicken, spooning the onions and their liquid over it.
• Variations
• Cook the onions for 10 minutes or so longer before adding the wine, until they darken in color and become even softer.
• While the onions are cooking, brown the chicken by putting it, skin side up, in a 500°F oven for about 20 minutes. When you add the chicken to the onions, include some of its juice.
• Tuck a couple of bay leaves and/or a few sprigs of fresh thyme in among the onions after they've begun to soften.
• Sauté about 1/4 pound of bacon or salt pork cut into 1/2-inch chunks in the pan before adding the onions.
• Cook about 1/2 pound of sliced mushrooms (or an ounce or two of dried porcini mushrooms, reconstituted) along with the onions.
• Cook 1 tablespoon or more of chopped garlic with the onions.
• After cooking, puree the onions and their liquid in a blender for a cream like sauce; use it to top the chicken.

GARLIC CHICKEN AND GRAPES

Steps:

• Combine mustard, soy sauce, honey and vinegar. Set sauce aside.
• In a 9 x 13 inch pan, combine garlic and oil. Place chicken in pan skin side down.
• If using thighs, bake covered at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 25 minutes. If using breasts, bake covered at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 10 minutes. Uncover, and turn chicken pieces over. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake until no longer pink in center, about 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle grapes over chicken, and bake 5 minutes longer. Remove from oven, and arrange chicken and grapes on platter. Pass sauce when serving.

CHICKEN BRAISED WITH GRAPES

Steps:

• Pat chicken parts dry. Melt butter in a 4-quart casserole. Brown chicken on both sides, a few pieces at a time, over medium-high heat, removing pieces to a platter as they finish. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium.
• Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring, a couple of minutes until soft. Stir in sherry vinegar, chicken stock and cardamom. Return chicken to the pot and baste with stock mixture. Place grape bunches in pot, add thyme, cover and reduce heat to very low. Let cook 30 minutes. Chicken juices should run clear when thigh or leg is pierced with the tip of a knife.
• Transfer chicken to a warm serving platter and arrange grape clusters on top and around chicken. Tent with foil to keep warm. Heat pot on high, stir in balsamic vinegar and cook 2 to 3 minutes until sauce is somewhat reduced and thickened. Check seasoning. Discard thyme. Spoon sauce over chicken and grapes, and serve.