Jeff Mauros Chicken Salad Wrap With Turbo Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipes

LEMON ROASTED CHICKEN SALAD WRAP

Steps:

• For the chicken: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and adjust a rack to the middle position.
• Place the chicken on a baking sheet lined with a wire rack, or in a roasting pan with a rack, and drizzle the chicken with olive oil. Generously sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Pack the cavity with the garlic, thyme and lemons. Place the chicken breast-side down on the rack.
• Roast the chicken for the first hour at 400 degrees F, and then turn up the heat to 450 degrees F and roast until the breast temperature registers 160 degrees F and the skin is a golden brown, for the last 30 to 45 minutes. Then set the chicken aside to rest and cool.
• When easy to handle, remove the legs, wings and any dark meat, reserving to eat for your next meal or to snack on immediately.
• Remove the skin from the breast meat. Using your hands, shred the breast meat and place in a bowl. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
• For the salad: Mix together the yogurt, mayo, mustard, walnuts, cranberries, celery, onions, lemon zest and juice, tarragon and water chestnuts and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Fold in the shredded chicken.
• For the sandwich build: Layer the whole wheat wraps with some broccoli sprouts and tomato slices and then top with the chicken salad. Wrap and enjoy!

TURBO BROCCOLI CHEDDAR SOUP

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the broccoli stems, onions, dry mustard and some salt and pepper and saute until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Deglaze with the sherry and then add the broccoli florets. Add the stock and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Carefully ladle everything into a blender along with the fresh spinach, Cheddar, cream and hot sauce and process until smooth, about 1 minute. Adjust with salt and pepper if necessary and adjust the thickness with more cream if necessary. Top with croutons and serve.

CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Mix the walnuts, cranberries, mustard, sugar, celery, scallions and some salt and pepper together in a large bowl. Let the flavors meld for 10 minutes.
• Add in the mayo and mix until incorporated. Adjust the seasoning if necessary. Add in the chicken. Let the mixture sit in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving, overnight preferred.
• Serve on lettuce leaves and drizzle with balsamic reduction.

VEGGIE-PACKED AUTUMN MINESTRONE

Steps:

• In a large stockpot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook until no longer pink and just turning brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the celery, carrots and onions and saute until translucent, about 15 minutes. Add the rosemary, tomato paste and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the stock, tomatoes, beans and bay leaf and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 40 minutes.
• Add the sweet potatoes and zucchini and simmer until cooked al dente, about 10 minutes more.
• Place 1/2 cup of baby spinach at the bottom of each serving bowl and ladle on a portion of bubbling hot soup. The heat from the soup will wilt the spinach perfectly. Serve with some freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and a squeeze of fresh lemon.

BROCCOLI AND CHEDDAR SOUP

Steps:

• Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and translucent, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Add broccoli, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until broccoli is bright green and slightly tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Using a large cooking spoon, transfer broccoli mixture to a medium bowl and set aside.
• Heat remaining 3 tablespoons butter in the same pot over medium heat (don't worry about any remaining broccoli bits). Add flour and whisk constantly, cooking until the mixture has turned a pale golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Gradually whisk in chicken broth until no lumps remain (it'll thicken considerably at first), followed by half-and-half. Bring to a simmer and stir in cheese, nutmeg and all but 1 cup of the reserved broccoli mixture.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer until liquid has thickened and reduced by about 1/4 and the broccoli is completely tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Using a hand blender, purée the soup to desired consistency. (Some like to leave bits of broccoli in there. It is up to you how smooth or chunky the soup is.) Alternatively, transfer to a blender and purée to desired consistency.
• Season soup with salt and pepper, and divide among bowls. Top with remaining 1 cup broccoli, more Cheddar (if you like), and lots of freshly ground pepper.

BEER CHEESE SOUP IN A BREAD BOWL WITH KIELBASA "CROUTONS"

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the kielbasa and cook until browned and crisp, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.
• Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the carrots, celery, onion, garlic, mustard powder and cayenne. Cook the vegetables until tender and translucent, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare the bread bowls. Using a sharp knife, slice the top off of each boule to use as a topper. Hollow out the middle with a fork or your fingers, leaving a thick bread shell. Save the removed bread for another use.
• Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and cook, stirring constantly, about 1 minute. Add the Dijon mustard and Worcestershire. Pour in the stock and beer and simmer until the alcohol cooks out, about 5 minutes.
• Puree the soup with an immersion blender until smooth. Add the Cheddar and Gruyere and stir until the cheese is melted. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle into the bread bowls and serve immediately, topped with the kielbasa croutons and chives. Use the bread toppers for dipping, if desired.

JEFF'S FAMOUS CHICKEN SALAD CROISSANT

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven or pot, stir 1 tablespoon salt into 6 cups cold water. Add the chicken and heat over medium heat until the water hits a temperature of 170 degrees F. Take the pot off the heat, cover, and let the chicken sit in the warm water until its internal temperature hits 165 degrees F, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer the chicken to paper towels to dry. Once cool enough to handle, pull the chicken apart with your hands or forks until shredded but still chunky.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix the celery, scallions, cherries, mustard, sugar and salt and pepper to taste. Let this mixture sit for at least 10 minutes or up to 1 hour to extract all that flavor. Add the mayo and mix until incorporated. Adjust the seasoning if necessary.
• Add the shredded chicken and walnuts to the mayo mixture. Adjust the seasonings. Let it sit in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving, overnight preferred.
• Place a piece of lettuce on the bottom half of a croissant followed by a scoop of chicken salad, one or two tomato slices, a spoonful of hot cherry pepper relish or giardiniera and a little drizzle of balsamic glaze. Close the top of the croissant. Assemble 3 more sandwiches. Cut the sandwiches in half and eat!