Ukrainian Roast Chicken With Gooseberry Sauce Recipes

UKRAINIAN ROAST CHICKEN WITH GOOSEBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Wipe the chicken inside and out with a clean damp cloth. Toss together the onions, celery, herbs, zest, ½ teaspoons of the salt and pepper. Stuff lightly into the body and neck cavities. (This is not an "eating" stuffing, but simply a "flavouring" stuffing.) Truss the chicken and set on a rack in an open roasting pan. Brush all over with the melted butter, reserving any that remains for preliminary basting.
• Roast for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 350°F and roast about 1 ½ hours more. Baste periodically, first with the butter and then with the pan juices. About 15 minutes before the end of the roasting time sprinkle on the remaining salt.
• The chicken is done when the skin on the breast turn crisp and golden and puffs up. The drumstick will also jiggle loosely. A further test is to stick a skewer into the thickest part of the thigh; if the juices run clear the chicken is done. The interior temperature of the thickest part of the thigh should register 190°F (88 C). Transfer to a heated platter and let stand 10 minutes, to allow the juices to be absorbed back into the flesh.
• To make the sauce in the meantime, melt the butter. Add the gooseberries and sauté 5 to 8 minutes, or until tender. Add the honey and salt. Puree and return to a clean saucepan.
• When the chicken is finished, skim all the fat off the roasting pan. There should be about ½ cup of brown drippings. Add the drippings to the gooseberry sauce, heat through and stir in the cream. Taste. It might be necessary to add more honey, but the sauce should be tart to contrast with the crisp rich skin and juicy meat. Heat the sauce until it bubbles, pour it into a warmed sauceboat and serve over the carved chicken. Yields 6 generous servings.

UKRAINIAN CHICKEN KIEV

Steps:

• Place each chicken breast between a sheet of wax paper and pound, using a mallet or rolling pin, to about 1/8 inch thickness; be careful not to 'break' the chicken. Wrap and refrigerate until seasoned butter is frozen.
• To Make Seasoned Butter: In a small bowl combine the softened butter, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1 teaspoon garlic powder and mix well. Spread mixture into a 2x4 inch rectangle on a piece of aluminum foil; freeze until firm.
• When butter is firm, cut into 8 equal size pieces and place one piece on each chicken breast. Fold in edges of chicken and roll to encase butter completely. Secure with toothpicks.
• In a small bowl, beat eggs with water. In a shallow dish or bowl, mix together the 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, dill weed and flour. Place bread crumbs in a separate shallow dish or bowl. Dip chicken rolls in seasoned flour, then egg mixture, then crumbs. Place coated chicken in a shallow dish, cover and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. When oil is hot, deep fry chicken rolls for about 5 minutes, then turn over and deep fry for another 5 minutes until golden and cooked through, with no pink showing inside. Drain on paper towels, garnish with lemon slices and parsley and serve.

UKRAINIAN BABA'S PORK ROAST

Steps:

• Pat meat dry with a paper towel and rub with 2 tablespoons flour and salt. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown meat on all sides. Add the sliced onions, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook for about one hour, adding a little water if necessary. Turn meat twice during the roasting process.
• Place beets in a saucepan with water to cover. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook until beets are tender. Drain, reserving liquid. Chop beets into cubes and add to the roasting pan. Add prunes and beet water, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Remove roast to a platter. Mix 1 tablespoon of flour with sour cream. Pour into roasting pan and mix well, scraping the sides and bottom. Simmer until sauce thickens. Season with paprika and taste. Adjust seasoning if necessary.