Sunday, July 24, 2011

Paella de Pollo (Spanish Chicken & Rice)

2 TBS olive oil
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into large bite size pieces

3 TBS olive oil
1 large onion, diced
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 large red Bell pepper, chopped

3 oz Sangria*

1 & 1/2 c. paella rice (or substitute medium grain white rice)
2 & 1/2 c. good quality chicken broth, warmed
1/2 tsp. saffron
1/2 tsp. turmeric
2 tsp. dry rosemary (or 2 TBS fresh)

2 small zucchini, cut into 1 & 1/2 inch thin strips

Heat 2 TBS olive oil in heavy skillet. Add chicken pieces & cook until done & beginning to brown. Remove chicken to bowl & cover to keep warm.

Heat 3 TBS olive oil in paella pan or large Dutch oven. Add onion & saute for 5 minutes or until translucent. Add garlic & red pepper & continue to saute for an additional 3 minutes. Pour in the Sangria & cook for 1 minute more; add rice & cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently so that rice does not stick. Pour in the chicken broth; add the chicken, saffron, turmeric & rosemary. Stir to combine. Cover & lightly simmer mixture over medium low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Arrange zucchini over top of rice mixture, cover, & simmer an additional 10 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed. Stir well before serving.

*Tempranillo or other dry red wine may be used in place of Sangria

Sangrita Gazpacho

1 green Bell pepper, seeded & sliced
1 serrano pepper, seeded & chopped
1 small cucumber, peeled & sliced
3 large cloves garlic, sliced
2 Roma tomatoes, stem end removed, sliced
1 large (22 oz) can petite diced tomatoes,undrained
4 oz. organic extra virgin olive oil
2 oz. Balsamic vinegar
2 tsp. coarse sea salt or more to taste
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. Cholula hot sauce

cold water

Combine all ingredients in large food processor bowl & puree thoroughly. Add cold water as needed to thin soup to desired consistency. Place in large ceramic mixing bowl & chill for several hours to allow flavors to blend.

Serve soup with small bowls of chopped tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced green onion & croutons for guests to garnish as desired.

Catalan Cream

(Creme Brulee's lighter Spanish cousin)

1 & 3/4 c. 1% milk
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tsp. vanilla

6 medium egg yolks
2 TBS cornstarch
1 & 1/4 c. sugar
2 TBS orange juice

sugar

Combine milk, cinnamon & vanilla in heavy medium saucepan. Bring just to a boil over medium heat, stirring often. Reduce heat when mixture boils.

Meanwhile, whisk egg yolks, cornstarch, sugar & orange juice together in small ceramic mixing bowl until the mixture is creamy.

Gradually pour yolk mixture into milk, whisking continuously. Cook over medium low heat until the mixture begins to thicken. Do not allow mixture to boil.

Immediately pour into 6 small (individual serving size) ramekins. Allow to cool & refrigerate for several hours.

To serve: Sprinkle 2 tsp granulated sugar evenly over each cream. Working with 1 custard at a time, hold kitchen torch so that flame is 2 inches above surface. Direct flame so that sugar melts and caramelizes evenly, about 2 minutes.

Sangria Citricos (Citrus Sangria)

1 lime
1 Clementine

1 bottle dry red table wine (ie. Spanish Quarter Cabernet Sauvignon/Tempranillo or other Tempranillo)
1/2 c. Finlandia Grapefruit vodka
1 c. lemonade

Wash fruits well, slice into 1/8 inch rounds, discarding ends. Reserve some of the slices for garnish & place remaining slices in glass pitcher. Pour wine, vodka & lemonade over fruit; stir to combine. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to blend.

Cut reserved fruit slices in half; place a piece of each in large wine glasses. Add Sangria mix.