Honey Roast Chicken with Onions and Figs

Honey and figs provide a glossy companion for this holiday entree.

Ingredients

2 tbsp (30 mL) vegetable oil
2 tsp (10 mL) liquid honey
1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
1/4 tsp (1 mL) pepper
1 chicken, (about 3-1/2 lb/1.75 kg)
1 small onion
4 cloves garlic
1/2 lemon
2 sprigs fresh thyme
2 cups (500 mL) dried whole calimyrna figs
1 tbsp (15 mL) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (125 mL) white wine
1 cup (250 mL) chicken stock

Preparation

In bowl, whisk together 1 tbsp (15 mL) of the oil, 1 tsp (5 mL) of the honey, salt and pepper; set aside.

Remove giblets and neck from chicken. Rinse chicken inside and out; pat dry. Insert onion, garlic, lemon and thyme into cavity. Tie legs together with string; tuck wings under back. Place, breast side up, on greased rack in roasting pan. Toss pearl onions with remaining oil and add to pan.

Roast chicken in 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) oven for 30 minutes; brush with honey mixture. Roast until juices run clear when chicken is pierced and meat thermometer inserted in thigh registers 185 degrees F (85 degrees C), 30 minutes. Set pearl onions aside. Transfer chicken to warmed platter and tent with foil; let stand for 20 minutes before carving. Discard onion, lemon and garlic from cavity.

Meanwhile, remove hard stems from figs; set figs aside.

Skim fat from pan juices. Add flour; cook, whisking, for 1 minute. Add wine; cook, whisking, until most of the liquid is evaporated, about 1 minute. Add stock, scraping up any brown bits from bottom of pan; simmer, whisking, until smooth, slightly thickened and glossy. Add pearl onions, figs and remaining honey to pan; simmer, stirring, until figs are hot, about 2 minutes. Serve with chicken.

Chicken Cutlets With Cilantro Peanut Sauce

 

This green sauce is like an Asian-style pesto. It is equally nice on grilled fish. It's also a timesaver because you can make this sauce up to two days ahead and refrigerate it, then just bring to room temperature to serve. 

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups (375 mL) packed fresh parsley leaves
1/2 cup (125 mL) packed fresh cilantro leaves
1/3 cup (75 mL) chopped roasted peanuts
1/4 cup (60 mL) peanut oil or vegetabIe oil
2-1/2 tbsp (31 mL) white wine vinegar
1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
1/2 tsp (2 mL) pepper
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Preparation

Finely chop parsley and cilantro; transfer to bowl. Stir in peanuts, all but 2 tsp of the oil, the vinegar and half each of the salt and pepper. Set aside.

Between plastic wrap, pound chicken with meat mallet or bottom of heavy saucepan to 1/4-inch (5 mm) thickness. Brush with remaining oil; sprinkle with remaining salt and pepper.

Place chicken on greased grill over medium-high heat; close lid and grill, turning once, until chicken is no longer pink inside, about 5 minutes. To serve, spoon sauce over chicken.

Spicy, Saucy Rigatoni Bake

Ingredients

1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
2 onions, sliced
1 sweet red peppers, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp (2 mL) fennel seeds, crushed
1 lb (454 g) hot Italian sausages
2 jars (700 ml) tomato-basil pasta sauce
1 tbsp (15 mL) wine vinegar
5 cups (1.25 L) rigatoni pasta
2 cups (500 mL) mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/4 cup (50 mL) Parmesan cheese, grated
2 tbsp (25 mL) chopped fresh parsley

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400°C (200°C).

In Dutch oven or large heavy skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; cook onions, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add red pepper, garlic and fennel seeds; reduce heat to medium and cook for 10 minutes or until onions are very soft and golden. Transfer to bowl.

Cut sausage into 1-inch (2.5 cm) chunks; add to pan and brown well on all sides, about 8 minutes. Drain off fat. Stir in pasta sauce and vinegar. Return vegetable mixture to pan; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta for about 8 minutes or until tender but firm. Drain, reserving 1 cup (250 mL) of the cooking water. Return pasta to pot; add sauce and reserved cooking water.

Combine mozzarella and Parmesan cheese; set 1 cup (250 mL) aside. Stir remaining cheese into pasta mixture. Pour into 13- x 9-inch (3 L) glass baking dish, pressing pasta to submerge. Sprinkle with reserved cheese and parsley.

Bake, covered, in oven for 30 to 45 minutes; uncover and continue for another 15 minutes or until golden.

(Make ahead: Let cool in refrigerator; cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Or overwrap with heavy-duty foil and freeze for up to 2 weeks; thaw in refrigerator for 48 hours.)