Joeappadacca Recipes

SOCCA (PROVENCAL CHICKPEA FLATBREAD)

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl whisk together the garbanzo bean flour, salt and pepper. Pour in the water and continue to whisk until the batter is smooth. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil and whisk to combine. Let sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes or up to several hours.
• Preheat the oven to 450 F.Heat a 12-inch heavy oven-proof frying pan (I prefer cast iron) and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil (I like to replace some of the olive oil with duck fat for the best flavor). Cook the onion until deeply caramelized, adding a small pinch of sugar to enhance the caramelization. Add the chopped rosemary and cook for another minute. Spread the onion mixture out evenly over the bottom of the pan.Pour the chickpea batter over the onion mixture. Place the pan on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the socca is firm, the edges are set, and it is golden in color. Next brush the socca with some additional olive oil and then place it under the broiler for another minute or two until well browned and just beginning to scorch in a few places.Cut into wedges and serve immediately while hot.

SALT COD WITH TOMATOES AND CAPERS (BACCALà ALLA VESUVIANA)

Steps:

• In large bowl, combine cod with water to cover by 2 inches. Cover and refrigerate, changing water 3 times a day, 1 to 3 days (see cooks' note, below). Refrigerate until ready to use.
• In small bowl, combine capers with water to cover by 1 inch. Cover and refrigerate 1 day, changing water 3 times.
• Drain and rinse capers, then squeeze dry. Drain cod and pat dry, then cut into 4- by 2-inch pieces.
• In heavy 6- to 8-quart pot over moderate heat, heat 3 tablespoons oil until hot but not smoking. Add onion and sauté until softened and golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Add red pepper flakes, capers, tomatoes and juice, and salt. Using wooden spoon, gently crush tomatoes. Bring to simmer, then carefully add cod. Add parsley and 1/4 cup mint and gently spoon some of sauce over cod. Simmer, uncovered, until cod is tender and heated through, about 5 minutes.
• Using slotted spatula, transfer cod to serving platter. Remove pot from heat and stir in 3 tablespoons olive oil. Spoon sauce over fish, then sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon mint and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Serve warm or at room temperature.

CHEF JOHN'S QUICK CHICKEN PICCATA

Steps:

• Place chicken breasts between 2 layers of plastic wrap and pound to about 1/2 inch thick. If you don't have a meat mallet, you can use a small frying pan.
• Season both sides of chicken breasts with cayenne, salt and black pepper, to taste; dredge lightly with flour and shake off excess. Alternatively, the flour can be put in a tea strainer and shaken over each side of the chicken.
• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken in the pan, reduce heat to medium, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side; remove to a plate.
• Add the capers to the remaining oil in the pan, smashing them slightly to release brine, until warmed through, about 30 seconds.
• Pour white wine into skillet. Scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon (or other appropriate tool). Cook until the wine is reduced by half, about 2 minutes.
• Stir lemon juice, water (or stock), and butter in to the reduced wine mixture; cook and stir continuously to form a thick sauce, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low and stir parsley though the sauce.
• Return chicken breasts to pan, cook until heated through, 1-2 minutes. Serve with sauce spooned over the top.

ALLA CHECCA

Steps:

• Combine tomatoes, garlic, basil, and olive oil in a non-metal bowl. Stir in salt. Cover with plastic wrap. Allow to sit at room temperature at least 2 hours, or as long as 10 hours.
• Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain. Pour uncooked sauce over hot pasta, and toss. Add grated Parmesan cheese to your liking.