-
1
Preheat oven to 350 F.
-
2
Rinse the chickens under cool running water.
-
3
Remove the legs from the chickens, trim the meat off the legs, and reserve it for the mix used to stuff the chicken breasts.
-
4
Cut off the last 2 sections of each wing, leaving the third section attached to the carcass.
-
5
Carefully remove the breasts from the chicken, leaving the remaining wing section attached to each breast.
-
6
Remove the skin from the breasts and attached wing section by loosening it and tugging it firmly over the end of the wing bone.
-
7
Save all the bones and scraps.
-
8
In a food processor, puree the reserved leg, thighs and drum meat with the olives and Parmesan cheese till smooth.
-
9
Season with salt and pepper.
-
10
Place the puree in a large, heavy plastic freezer bag and seal.
-
11
Remove the chicken tenderloins from the breasts and reserve.
-
12
With a sharp, flexible boning knife, carefully cut a horizontal pocket into each breast.
-
13
Cut off 1 inch from corner of plastic bag.
-
14
Insert the cut corner on the bag into the chicken pocket, and squeeze out one-quarter of the stuffing into the breast.
-
15
Saute/fry breasts in a fry pan with butter and extra virgin olive oil, till browned and heated through.
-
16
Insert a knife into each breast to test for doneness.
-
17
Let stand 5 min before serving.
-
18
The Pine Nut Risotta Cake:Heat the butter in a medium, heavy saucepan over medium-high heat.
-
19
Add in the rice and onions and saute/fry, stirring, till the grains feel chalky and have a tiny white dot in their center.
-
20
(Be careful not to brown the onions.)
-
21
Add in the Chardonnay and reduce liquid by three-quarters, stirring constantly.
-
22
Slowly add in sufficient of the chicken stock to cover the rice.
-
23
Reduce heat to sustain just a simmer.
-
24
Continue stirring till the stock is absorbed.
-
25
Add in more stock, just covering the rice, and simmer, stirring frequently.
-
26
Continue cooking the risotto and adding stock till the rice is just done.
-
27
It should be 'al dente' or possibly slightly hard, with each grain distinct and done to a pleasing texture but not mushy.
-
28
Pat risotto into a low-sided baking sheet and chill.
-
29
When risotto is hard, cut out circular cakes using a biscuit cutter or possibly ring mold.
-
30
Dredge risotto cakes in powdered rice or possibly flour.
-
31
In a fry pan heat extra virgin olive oil and butter carefully fry risotto cakes on both sides till golden brown.
-
32
Set aside and keep hot.
-
33
The Rapini:In a bamboo or possibly vegetable steamer, steam rapini over simmering water till tender.
-
34
Set aside and keep hot.
-
35
The Basil Broth:Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
-
36
Place the reserved bones and scraps in a roasting pan with a splash of water.
-
37
Roast the bones till deep golden, about one hour.
-
38
Remove the bones and place in a stockpot.
-
39
Add in the chardonnay to the roasting pan and stir to dissolve the browned pan juices.
-
40
You may find it useful to place the pan over a low heat for a few moments to help dissolve.
-
41
Pour all into the stockpot and add in the vegetables and bay leaf.
-
42
Crunch the bones down a bit then just cover them with water.
-
43
Bring to a simmer and simmer for three hrs.
-
44
Strain through a fine strainer into a saucepot.
-
45
Bring the stock to a boil and reduce to 3 c..
-
46
In a vegetable or possibly bamboo steamer over a pan of simmering water, steam basil just till wilted.
-
47
Puree basil with vegetable oil, then stir into hot chicken stock.
-
48
Serve immediately.
-
49
The Plate!
-
50
:Place a hot risotto cake in the center of a hot service bowl.
-
51
Top with a few stalks of the steamed rapini.
-
52
Slice a chicken breast in half and arrange on the rapini.
-
53
Pour over a bit of the broth and garnish the works with a basil sprig.
-
54
Timing: The chicken should be butchered the day before and the broth made in advance.
-
55
The risotto cakes may be made a day in advance and crisped just before serving.
-
56
Make the stuffing and stuff the breasts several hrs before serving.
-
57
Steam the rapini and finish the sauce at the last second.