Rachs Chicken Milanese With A Crunchy Asparagus Salad On Top Recipes

RACH'S CHICKEN MILANESE IS TOPPED WITH A MEDLEY OF ANTIPASTI FAVES

Steps:

• If necessary, pound chicken cutlets to be ⅛ inch thick and season with salt and pepper
• Line up 3 shallow bowls for the cutlet breading station
• Add flour to one, eggs to one and combine breadcrumbs, spices and cheese in the last one
• Season each with salt and pepper
• Dip the chicken in the flour, then the eggs and then the breading, pressing so the crumbs adhere
• Heat oil in large pan over medium to medium-high heat, about 1 cup
• Cook 2 cutlets at a time and brown 2-3 minutes on each side, then drain on wire-rack lined pan
• For the dressing, add the dressing ingredients to a Mason jar and shake to combine
• For the salad, in a mixing bowl, combine lettuce with meats, cheese and vegetables, then toss to coat in dressing
• Serve cutlets topped with salad, spilling off to the side of the cutlet

RACH'S CHICKEN MILANESE WITH A CRUNCHY ASPARAGUS SALAD ON TOP

Steps:

• For the chicken Milanese, remove tenders from each breast
• Butterfly-cut each breast open by halving horizontally but not all the way through
• Pound chicken cutlets to be ⅛-inch-thick and season with salt and pepper
• Line up 3 shallow bowls for the cutlet breading station
• Add flour to one, eggs to one and combine panko, breadcrumbs, parm, lemon zest and spices in the last one
• Season each with salt and pepper
• Dredge chicken in the flour, shake off excess, coat in egg, drain off excess, and then coat with breading, pressing so the crumbs adhere
• Heat a shallow layer of oil in large pan over medium to medium-high heat, about ⅛ inch deep
• Cook 2 to 3 cutlets at a time along with the tenders and brown 2 to 3 minutes on each side, then drain on wire-rack lined pan
• Hold in a 275˚F oven to keep crisp while you make the salad
• For the salad, soak shaved asparagus in a bowl of ice water so they curl
• Combine arugula, fennel, red onion, parm shavings and celery in a bowl
• Drain asparagus, then add to bowl and dress with lemon juice
• Season with salt and drizzle with olive oil
• Gently toss
• Serve cutlets and tenders topped with salad

CHICKEN MILANESE WITH ESCAROLE SALAD

Steps:

• For the escarole salad: Set a small saute pan over medium heat; coat with olive oil. Add the prosciutto, and cook until crispy. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• Combine the hazelnuts, pecorino and parsley in a food processor; pulse until coarsely chopped. In a bowl, toss together the escarole, hazelnut mixture and some pickled red onions. Dress with some red onion pickling liquid and olive oil. Season with salt, and garnish with crispy prosciutto.
• For the chicken Milanese: Set up a standard breading station in three wide, deep plates. Fill one plate with the flour, a second with the beaten eggs, and a third with the panko and Parmesan. Sprinkle the chicken breasts with salt. Using one hand for dry things and one hand for wet things, take each piece of chicken through the breading procedure: Dredge lightly in the flour, then in the egg wash, and then through the breadcrumbs. Lay the breaded chicken on a baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Pour olive oil into a large saute pan until it reaches a depth of about 1/2 inch--better a little more than a little less. Bring the oil to medium-high heat. Test by flicking flour or breadcrumbs into it; if it doesn't sizzle, WAIT! When the oil is hot, test it again by dipping the edge of a piece of chicken; the oil should sizzle gently. In batches, cook the chicken on both sides until crispy and a lovely golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. (Do not crowd the pan or the chicken will become very greasy and soggy.) When the chicken comes out of the oil, drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt. If you like, keep the chicken warm in a low oven while the rest of the chicken is cooking.
• Place the chicken serving plates and top with escarole salad.
• In a small bowl, combine the red wine vinegar with 1/2 cup cold tap water. Stir in the salt, sugar and hot sauce. Add the sliced onions, and let sit for at least 1 hour.

VEAL MILANESE WITH ARUGULA SALAD AND ROASTED MAITAKE MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place the separated pieces of maitake mushrooms onto a baking sheet and toss with a little olive oil and salt and pepper. Roast until crispy, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, set a chop upright on a cutting board with the meaty side facing up. Using a thin sharp knife, cut into the meat and cut through the center, toward the bone. Stop short of the bone, then open up the meat like a book. Do not remove the meat from the bone; the bone itself will be at the center of the butterflied chop. Place the meat between sheets of parchment or plastic with a dab of water and gently and evenly pound the meat out with a meat mallet, flipping the meat a couple of times, until it's 1/4 to 1/8 inch thick. Season with salt and pepper.
• Set up a dredging station: Line up 3 shallow bowls on the counter. Spread flour in one, beat the eggs in the second, and mix the fine bread crumbs, panko, Parm, nutmeg, and salt and pepper to taste in the third.
• When the mushrooms are done, lower the oven temperature to 250 degrees F (leave the mushrooms in the oven). Place a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet and set in the oven.
• In large cast-iron skillet, heat about 1/4 inch oil over medium-high heat.
• Coat the veal in flour and shake off the excess. Turn a chop in the egg, shaking off the excess, then press into the bread crumb mixture. Fry the chops, one at a time, until deep golden, about 3 minutes on each side. Keep the cutlets warm on the prepared baking sheet in the oven.
• Serve the veal with lemon for squeezing and a side of mushrooms. Place the Arugula Salad with Sage and White Balsamic Vinaigrette under or on top of each cutlet.
• In a small bowl, whisk the garlic, sage, shallot, lemon juice, vinegar, and honey. Still whisking, stream in the EVOO to emulsify. Season with salt and pepper. Put the greens and tomatoes in a large serving bowl, add the dressing, and toss to coat.

CHICKEN MILANESE WITH SALSA ROSA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• With a meat mallet or a rolling pin, pound the chicken cutlets between sheets of plastic wrap to 1/8-inch thickness. Season the cutlets with salt and pepper and press the seasonings into the meat with your fingers.
• Make the coating: Combine the bread crumbs, cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Work in the olive oil by hand, then spread the mixture on a dinner plate. Spread the flour on another dinner plate. Break the eggs into a shallow bowl and beat lightly. Dip the cutlets in the flour, coating both sides and shaking off the excess. Then dip in the egg, letting any excess drip back into the bowl. Finally, coat the cutlets on both sides with the seasoned bread crumbs, pressing them into place. As each cutlet is coated, place it on a tray. Cover the cutlets and refrigerate until you are ready to fry them.
• Heat a large skillet over high heat until very hot. Add olive oil to a depth of 1/4-inch. When the oil is almost smoking, add as many cutlets as the skillet will hold comfortably; do not crowd the pan. Cook until the cutlets are golden on the bottom, about 1 minute. Turn and cook on the second side about 30 seconds to 1 minute longer. With tongs, lift the cutlets as they are done, allowing any excess oil to drain back into the skillet, and transfer to cookie sheet lined with paper bag to drain excess oil. Repeat with the remaining cutlets.
• When ready to serve, place chicken cutlets on cookie sheet to finish cooking, about 2 minutes.
• Place the arugula in a large bowl. Drizzle with enough extra-virgin olive oil to coat the leaves lightly. Add a squeeze of lemon and some salt and pepper. Toss, taste, and adjust the seasoning.
• Divide the cutlets among 4 plates, placing them in the center. Spoon a little Salsa Rosa on each side of the cutlets. Mound the arugula salad on top. With a vegetable peeler, shave a little Parmesan on top of the salad.
• Michael's Notes: If you like my version of Chicken Milanese, and I know you will, try the same method on pounded veal, turkey breasts or on very thin swordfish steaks.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Brush the bell peppers lightly with olive oil and place on the baking sheet. Bake, turning every 10 to 15 minutes, until the peppers are blistered all over, about 30 minutes total. Transfer the peppers to a brown paper bag, and close tightly so they steam as they cool. You can roast the peppers under the broiler or over a gas flame, if you prefer, but I like to do them in a hot oven. It takes a little longer, but you don't have to monitor them as closely.
• While peppers are steaming, heat the 2 tablespoons olive oil in a small skillet over high heat. Add the whole chiles, lower the heat to moderate, and cook, turning occasionally, until the chiles are softened, lightly browned, and blistered on all sides, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and let the chilies cool in the oil for several minutes. When cool enough to handle, remove the stems.
• Add more oil to the skillet, if needed, to make 2 tablespoons. Reheat the oil over moderate heat and add the garlic. Cook until lightly browned, about 30 seconds, then add the oregano and saute briefly to release its fragrance. Add the tomato puree and salt, bring to a simmer, and simmer for about 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
• Remove peppers from bag, peel and remove the stems, seeds, and ribs; avoid the temptation to rinse the peppers, which would wash away flavor. You should have about 4 cups.
• Combine the red peppers, serrano chiles, and tomato sauce in a blender and puree until smooth. Add the vinegar and the black pepper to taste and puree again. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 4 months.
• Yield: about 4 cups

CHICKEN ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Cook asparagus in small amount of water until crisp-tender (cooking time will depend on thickness of asparagus;thin stalks 2-3 minutes, thicker stalks 3-4 minutes).
• Drain and cool asparagus and set aside.
• In salad bowl, combine vinegar, oil, honey, parsley, salt, and pepper, mixing well.
• Add chicken, apple, and asparagus, tossing to coat.
• Serve over lettuce/salad greens, garnishing with alfalfa sprouts if desired.