Mark Strausman Recipes

FREDS' CHICKEN SALAD WITH BALSAMIC DRESSING

Steps:

• Roast the chicken (if you're using a cooked, store-bought chicken, skip this step): Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place a rack in a roasting pan. Rub 1 tablespoon salt around the inside of the cavity, then stuff it with the thyme, lemon and garlic. Tie the legs closed with cooking twine. Rub olive oil over the entire bird, and sprinkle with 1/2 tablespoon salt and the black pepper. Place on the rack and roast for 72 to 80 minutes. After 72 minutes, begin testing for doneness by inserting a meat thermometer into the leg, close to the bone. The chicken is done when the thermometer reads 165 degrees. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
• When cool enough to handle, remove the skin from the chicken. Use your hands to remove all the meat (remember, it will be hotter internally) and shred into 2-inch strips. If you're not going to make the salad for a few hours, place the meat in the refrigerator, but be sure to remove it and let come to room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes before serving, to bring out the best flavor.
• Make the dressing: Place all the ingredients except the oil in a food processor and pulse for about 30 seconds, until everything is combined. With the machine on low, slowly drizzle in the oil until dressing is emulsified.
• Assemble the salad: Drizzle pears with lemon juice to prevent them from browning. In a large mixing bowl, combine pears, greens, beans, tomatoes, onion, avocado and half the chicken meat. Add some of the dressing and toss to make sure everything is lightly coated, adding more dressing if needed. Divide the mixture equally among 4 or 6 plates. Lay the rest of the chicken on top and serve immediately, passing the remaining dressing in case people want to add more.

MARK STRAUSMAN'S GRILLED MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Preheat the grill.
• Mash the anchovy or anchovy paste with the garlic in a mortar. Blend in the lemon juice and olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and set aside.
• Wipe any soil from the mushrooms with a damp paper towel. Remove stems from the mushrooms, and discard or set aside for another use, like making stock. (It is not necessary to do this with oyster mushrooms.) Brush the caps with the vegetable oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Place the caps on the grill, top side down, and grill for a minute or two. Give each cap a quarter turn to set crisscross grill marks, and continue grilling another minute. Turn the caps over, and grill another minute or two, until a knife can easily pierce the cap.
• Remove the mushrooms from the grill, and arrange them on a plate. Beat the dressing to reblend it, and sprinkle it over the warm mushrooms. Scatter the parsley on top, and serve.

MARK'S SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS

Steps:

• In a large saute pan, heat 2 teaspoons olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and saute until translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Place ground meats in a large mixing bowl. Remove onions from heat, and add to ground meats. Add egg white, egg yolks, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and breadcrumbs to bowl, and combine. Season with salt and pepper. Add the red-pepper flakes and oregano, and mix well to combine.
• Roll the ground-meat mixture into golf ballâ??sized meatballs. Place on a baking sheet covered with breadcrumbs, and roll. In a large skillet, heat 1/4 cup olive oil over medium heat. Add meatballs, and brown on all sides, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove meatballs from the pan, and transfer them to a baking sheet lined with paper towels. Discard remaining oil. Return meatballs to pan, and cover with 3 cups tomato sauce. Slowly simmer over medium heat, until meatballs are heated through, about 15 minutes.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti, and cook until al dente, about 6 to 8 minutes, or according to package instructions. Drain, and add cooked spaghetti to the sauce mixture. Cook for an additional 2 minutes. Serve immediately.

TUSCAN-JEWISH POT ROAST

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. In a large, heavy pot with a lid, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the carrot, celery, and onion, and cook, stirring, until the onion is wilted about 3 minutes. Add the bay leaf, rosemary, parsley, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Add the chicken livers and mix. Place the brisket on top and pour the wine, stock, and tomatoes over the meat. Cover tightly and bake until very tender, stirring about once an hour and adding a little water if necessary, about 4 hours. Serve in slices with the pan juices.

MARK STRAUSMAN'S TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Puree tomatoes in a food mill, removing most of the seeds. In a medium stockpot, heat olive oil over medium heat, add garlic, and saute until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Add red-pepper flakes. While oil is sizzling, slowly add half of the pureed tomatoes and the wine, stirring to mix. Add remaining tomatoes, reduce heat to low, and let simmer. Add oregano, and continue to simmer until slightly thickened, 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Add basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. The sauce may be kept in the refrigerator up to 3 or 4 days in an airtight plastic container or in the freezer for up to 1 month.