Panfried Pressed Poussins Recipes

PANFRIED PRESSED POUSSINS

Steps:

• Cut out backbones from birds with kitchen shears. Pat birds dry, then spread flat, skin sides up, on a cutting board. Cut a 1/2-inch slit on each side of each bird in center of triangle of skin between thighs and breasts (near drumstick), then tuck bottom knob of drumstick through each slit. Tuck wing tips under breasts. Sprinkle birds on both sides with sea salt and pepper.
• Heat butter in 10-inch cast-iron or heavy nonstick skillet over moderate heat until foam subsides. Add birds, skin sides down, and cover with parchment round and second skillet, then top with weights. Cook birds until skin is browned, about 15 minutes. Turn birds over, cover with parchment round, skillet, and weights, then cook until just cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes more.
• Transfer birds to a platter, discarding parchment, and cover loosely with foil. Add stock to skillet and deglaze by boiling over high heat, stirring and scraping up brown bits, until reduced to about 1/2 cup, about 5 minutes. Skim fat from surface.
• Halve birds lengthwise and serve each half drizzled with pan juices.

FRIED PLANTAINS

Steps:

• Combine water, garlic and salt in medium size glass bowl and set aside.
• In a large (12-inch) saute pan, heat oil to 325 degrees F. Peel plantains and slice crosswise into 1-inch pieces. Carefully add plantains to oil and fry until golden yellow in color, about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes per side. (The oil should come halfway up the side of the plantain). With a spider or slotted spoon, remove the plantains from the pan and place them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, standing them on their ends. With the back of a wide, wooden spatula, press each piece of plantain down to half its original size. Then place the plantains in the water and let soak for 1 minute. Remove and pat dry with a tea towel to remove excess water.
• Bring oil back up to 325 degrees F and return plantains to pan and cook until golden brown, approximately 2 to 4 minutes per side. Remove to a dish lined with paper towels, and sprinkle with salt, if desired. Serve immediately.

PANINI PRESS DINNER

Steps:

• Lay out the bacon rashers in a cold panini press, being careful to not overlap them. Cook on high until the bacon is crisp, 7 to 8 minutes. (If your machine doesn't have heat settings, just plug it in and turn it on.)
• Remove the bacon and set aside on a paper towel, then take a look at how much fat remains in the press. Ideally, you'll have about 2 tablespoons, but depending on the fat content of your bacon, you may have more. What I do in this case is fold a couple of paper towels, place in the press, close the lid, count to three, then carefully remove and discard.
• Add the red onion pieces, distributing them evenly. Close the press and cook for 4 minutes. Remove to a bowl, then add the mushrooms in a single layer. Close and cook until the mushrooms are brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Add to the bowl with the onions. Repeat with the spinach, cooking for no more than 30 seconds before moving to the bowl.
• Crumble the bacon into the bowl, dress with the hot sauce, and serve.
• After enjoying, you're going to look at the panini press and curse me because now you have to clean it. This is made easier by turning the machine off, allowing it to cool, laying a few moistened and folded paper towels across the lower surface, and closing the lid for about 10 minutes. Then wipe clean and store...the machine, not the paper towels.

THYME-ROASTED POUSSIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees.
• Rinse the poussins and season the cavities with salt and pepper. Rub each with 1/4 teaspoon olive oil. Fill each cavity with a lemon wedge, 2 sprigs each of thyme and marjoram, and 1 crushed garlic clove.
• Loosen the skin from the breast of each poussin. Slide a sprig each of thyme and marjoram between the skin and the breast. Spoon the Cognac (1/2 tablespoon per bird) into the breast pockets of each poussin. Truss with kitchen string.
• On a roasting rack set in a roasting pan, roast for 30 minutes, or until the juices run clear when the thigh is pierced with a fork.

FRESH TOMATO AND ONION CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Soak onion with 1/2 teaspoon sea salt in 1 cup cold water 15 minutes, then drain well in a sieve. Transfer to a bowl and stir in tomatoes, jalapeño, lemon juice, and orange juice.
• Cook ginger, mustard seeds, and turmeric in oil in a small skillet over moderately low heat, stirring, until seeds begin to pop, about 2 minutes. Stir into tomatoes with pepper and remaining 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, then let stand at least 1 hour for flavors to develop.
• Just before serving, drain chutney in a sieve set over a bowl, discarding liquid.

PAN-FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• Wash the okra, and place aside, leaving the okra slightly wet. Cut the okra crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces and place in a large bowl. Season the okra with the salt, adding more to taste.
• Pour the cornmeal over the okra. Using both hands, firmly grip the bowl, and shake it until all the okra pieces are coated. If too dry, add a little water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and, if needed, more cornmeal can be added. Lightly press the okra with your hands, making sure that the cornmeal sticks to the okra. Toss the okra again. All the pieces should be coated evenly, with a light layer of cornmeal - but the okra shouldn't be obscured.
• In a large cast-iron skillet, heat the oil over medium-high. You can determine if the oil is ready by dropping a pinch of cornmeal into it; the oil should sizzle, but not smoke. (If it's not hot enough, the okra will soak up the oil.)
• Once the oil is ready, working in two batches to avoid crowding, drop half the okra into the hot oil and cook it, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, until golden and crisp. Using a slotted spoon or spider, remove the okra to a plate covered with a paper towel to drain excess oil. Repeat with remaining okra, and serve immediately.