Vaquero Chicken Recipes

CHICKEN VESUVIO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Heat the oil in large ovenproof pot over high heat. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Working in 2 batches if necessary, cook the chicken in the pot until golden brown on all sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a bowl. Carefully add the potatoes to the same pot and cook until they are golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute. Add the wine and stir to scrape up any brown bits on the bottom of the pot. Add the broth, oregano, and thyme. Return the chicken to the pot. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Cover and bake in the oven until the chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a platter. Arrange the potatoes around chicken. Add the artichoke hearts to the sauce in the pot. Cover and simmer over high heat until the artichokes are tender, stirring often, about 4 minutes. Turn heat to low. Stir in the butter. Pour the sauce over chicken and potatoes, and serve.

TOSTADAS WITH SMASHED BLACK BEANS OR VAQUEROS

Steps:

• Heat oil over medium heat in a large, heavy pan (I use a heavy nonstick pan for this) and add cumin. When it is sizzling, add beans with their liquid and turn up heat to medium-high. Cook beans, mashing with the back of your spoon and stirring often, until they are thick but still fairly moist, about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Every so often a layer of thick broth should begin to stick to the pan. Stir that into the beans - it has a lot of flavor. The smashed beans will continue to dry even after you remove from the heat.
• Toast the tortillas. For really crisp tortillas, heat one at a time (2 if you have a large enough microwave to fit 2 without the tortillas overlapping) in a microwave for 1 minute on full power. Flip tortilla over and microwave for 30 seconds to a minute more on full power, until crisp. You can also toast them in a dry pan or directly over the flame, but this will not crisp the tortillas, it will just char them.
• In a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, chiles, onion, and cilantro. Season to taste with salt. Stir in lime juice and the avocado. Let sit for 15 to 30 minutes for the best flavor.
• Spread about 1/2 cup of the refried beans over each tortilla. Top with a generous spoonful of salsa. Place a handful of shredded lettuce or cabbage on top and if desired a little more salsa on the lettuce. Sprinkle on some white cheese, and serve.

MOZZARELLA CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place chicken breasts between 2 sheets of wax paper. Pound each to 1/4 inch thickness. Spread butter/margarine over the inside, then add salt and pepper to taste.
• Place slice of cheese on breast, roll and close with toothpicks. Repeat with each breast. Dip rolled breasts in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. Place coated breasts in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
• To Make Sauce: In a saucepan, melt 1/4 cup butter and add garlic. Add wine and simmer all together. Pour sauce over chicken and bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 45 minutes.

VAQUERO BEEF FAJITAS

Steps:

• Remove the membrane from the skirt steak.
• In a plastic baggie, mix together the marinade ingredients, placing the skirt steak in the bag.
• Refrigerate for 4-6 hours.
• Fire up the grill.
• Discard the marinade.
• Massage the rub into the steak.
• Grill over relatively high heat for 3-5 minutes each side for medium rare to medium.
• Move to avoid burning, if necessary.
• When done, place it on a platter for ten minutes.
• Carve in thin slices against the grain.

VAQUERO LAPATATA CAZUELA (COWBOY POTATO CASSEROLE)

Steps:

• Place the first 9 ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.
• Fry bacon until crisp, drain on paper towel. Saute' green onions and red peppers in bacon grease until soft, drain on paper towel.
• Butter 9x13 casserole dish.
• Mix the sauce, potatoes, bacon, onions and red peppers together and place in casserole dish. Top with mexican cheese.
• Bake at 350 degrees until center begins to bubble, around 45 minutes.
• Enjoy!