Chicken Ragu with Kalamata Olives

After a few recipes that lean towards the sweeter side of things, I figured it's time to turn the tables over to something savory. And anyone who knows me knows that when it comes to savory, pasta is my main squeeze. I've been making a rendition of this Chicken Ragu I found in Food & Wine for my clients lately. They just flip for it, and so do I.

There are a few of things about this dish that I think are fantastic. First, pappardelle is way up there on my list of favorite pastas, second only to Bucatini- which I love so much that I named my cat after it, so yeah, my love affair with noodles is not to be taken lightly- and this rich, hearty sauce stands up perfectly to the thick, wide, glorious ribbons.

Second, the olives. They absolutely make this dish. Every time you get a briny bite of kalamata it's like a little explosion of flavor and you instantly get the feeling that without it the dish would be left lacking something. You definitely don't want to skimp on the olives.

Lastly, this ragu is vaguely reminiscent of something my mom used to make for us when I was younger, a recipe she got from an Italian co-worker made with dark meat chicken, sundried tomatoes, spaghetti and herbs that we affectionately referred to as "Leanne's Spaghetti," which became such a hit that it quickly earned a coveted spot in our dinner rotation. Now I don't expect anyone else to relate to this besides my family and I (and possibly Leanne, wherever she may be), but I think it's that sense of nostalgia- that incredible way that a dish can transport you back to your childhood days- that I really enjoy about this Chicken Ragu...and about food in general. And that's something I think everyone can relate to.

adapted from Food & Wine

serves 4-6

Ingredients

1 red onion, chopped
1 fennel bulb, cored and chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 lbs. skinless bone-in chicken thighs, fat trimmed
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup crimini mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 tbsp. rosemary, chopped
1 tbsp. sage, chopped
1 tbsp. tomato paste
1/4 cup aged balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup sherry wine
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, halved
3/4 lb. pappardelle pasta, cooked to al dente and drained
Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, for serving

Instructions
1. In a food processor, combine the onions, fennel, celery, carrot and garlic and pulse until very finely chopped.
2. Heat the oil in a large heavy bottomed pot (preferably cast iron). Season the chicken with salt and pepper and add it to the pot. Sear on both sides over moderately high heat until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a platter.
3. Add the vegetable mixture to the pot and season with salt and pepper; cook over medium-low heat until the vegetables are softened and just starting to brown, about 10 minutes. Add mushrooms, rosemary, sage and tomato paste and stir to combine. Add the vinegar and cook for a few minutes until reduced by half, then add the sherry and cook for a few more minutes until reduced by half.
4. Add the broth and tomato sauce and bring to a boil. Return the chicken to the pot. Cover partially and simmer over low heat for about 1 hour.
5. Transfer the chicken to a platter and let cool slightly, then shred the meat, discarding the bones, and stir it into the sauce along with the olives.
5. Season the ragù with salt and pepper and toss the pappardelle with the ragu. Serve with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.

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Braised Chicken with Fennel, Shallot & White Beans

Finally, a little rain in these dry parts! It's much needed, and as grateful as I am for a little downpour I'm even more so for the chance to whip up some fantastically comforting cold-weather dishes. You know, the kind that simmer away all day, filling your house with irresistible savory scents? One pot dishes like soups and stews have been few and far between lately since winter seems to have skipped right over us in "endless summer" Cali. It's difficult to get into a winter state of mind in Santa Barbara, even if it is February. I mean, who wants to break out the crockpot when it's 70 degrees outside?

So I'm making the most out of these next few rainy days and busting out the comfort food all-stars. Tonight I'm going old school and making a homemade mac & cheese with hot dogs. Yes, sometimes I like to get a little trashy in the kitchen. Don't judge. This is edible nostalgia at its best. 

But before that it was this homey chicken dish, slowly braised in white wine with silky shallot halves and velvety white beans in every bite. It's the kind of dish that will make you feel like that snowman in the Campbell's Soup commercial who comes in from the cold and sips on hot soup until he melts back into a little kid. I know you feel me.

serves 2
Ingredients
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 chicken quarters (leg and thigh)
salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 oz. cubed pancetta
4 shallots, peeled and halved
2 carrots, chopped
1 small bulb fennel, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1 cup white wine
2 cups chicken broth
1 14 oz. can canellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 tbsp. parsley, chopped
1/4 tsp. finely grated lemon zest

Instructions
1. Heat the oven to 300°. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the chicken all over with salt and pepper. Arrange the chicken skin side down in the pot and sear for about 5 minutes on each side until skin turns golden brown, then transfer to a plate.
2. Reduce heat to medium and cook the pancetta in the same pot until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer pancetta to paper towels to drain.
3. Add the shallots, carrots and fennel to pot and cook in the pancetta grease, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to brown and soften, 5-6 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute or so.
4. Add bay leaf and wine and bring to a simmer, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen the brown bits. Continue cooking until the wine is reduced by half.
5. Add the broth and white beans and return the chicken and pancetta to the pot. Bring to a simmer, cover and transfer to the oven.
6. Braise the chicken for about 45 minutes or until the meat is tender. Transfer the chicken and vegetables to a serving platter, reserving sauce in the pot. Discard the bay leaf.
7. Bring the sauce to a boil over high heat until reduced to about 1 cup. Stir in the lemon zest and season with salt and pepper. Pour the sauce over the chicken and sprinkle with parsley.

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Lemongrass Chicken Stew with Potato-Chive Dumplings

There's no denying it: it's that sniffling, sneezing, coughing, stuffy head time of year. Fortunately, I have yet to catch the dreaded bug, and I believe I have my trusty mini hand sanitizers to thank for that (one in the purse, one in the car and one in the house- I swear by it).

Everyone knows that a big bowl of chicken soup is a cure-all remedy for nearly any ailment. But as much as I love a good old-fashioned recipe from grandma, the traditional version can get a little tired, am I right? Carrots, celery, noodles...yawn. Chicken soup is just begging to be doctored up, and personally I find that something with a strong kick helps to set me right again when I'm feeling under the weather. Heaps of garlic and ginger and a healthy dash of sriracha and suddenly I can breathe again. That yucky nasal spray can take a flying leap as far as I'm concerned. Sorry, I have a thing. It creeps me out.

Anyway, back to the soup. I found this Thai inspired version on Food and Wine and couldn't wait to try it. I mean, who could resist those little gnocchi-esque potato dumplings? Certainly far more exciting than plain old noodles! So when a client recently came down with a little bug I jumped at the chance to help nurse her back to health with this soup. I took the liberty of tweaking the recipe a bit, adding generous amounts of immunity boosting garlic, ginger and lemongrass. And sure enough, she emailed me the next morning saying she felt loads better. I like to think the soup had a little something to do with it, thank you very much.

adapted from food and wine

Ingredients

1/2 pound russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes

2 tbsp. canola oil

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 onion, chopped

1 tbsp. ginger, peeled and minced

1 tbsp. garlic, minced

1 tbsp. lemongrass, chopped

1 jalapeño, seeded and thinly sliced

1/4 cup fish sauce

3 cups chicken broth

1/4 cup flour, plus more for rolling

1 egg yolk

2 tbsp. minced chives

1/2 tsp. salt

1 lb. baby bok choi, chopped

1 tbsp. cornstarch dssolved in 1 tbsp. water

2 tbsp. fresh basil, chopped

Instructions

1. Put the potatoes in a medium saucepan and cover with hot water. Cook over high heat until tender, about 12 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large, heavy casserole. Add the chicken and cook over high heat until lightly browned, 4 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and add the onion, ginger, garlic, lemongrass and jalapeño. Cook, stirring, until the onion is softened, about 4 minutes. Add 3 tablespoons of the fish sauce and the broth and bring to a boil. Cover and cook over moderate heat until the chicken is just cooked through, about 10 minutes.
3. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the potatoes to a ricer and press into a bowl. Save the potato water. Add flour, egg yolk, chives and salt to the potatoes and stir until a stiff dough forms (you may need to add additional flour gradually until the dough comes together). Turn the dough out onto a heavily floured board and divide it in half. Roll each piece into a 1/2-inch-thick rope. Cut the ropes into 1-inch pieces.
4. Add the bok choy to the stew and simmer for another 5 minutes. Add the cornstarch mixture and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 1 minute.
5. Return the potato water to a boil and add the dumplings. Cook over high heat until they rise to the surface, then simmer for 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to the chicken stew. Add the basil and the remaining 1 tablespoon of fish sauce and simmer the stew for 2 to 3 minutes. Serve with lime wedges and sriracha, if desired.

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Chicken Salad Stuffed Avocado

Palta Rellena, or "stuffed avocado" in Spanish, is a classic Peruvian dish that I can remember eating since childhood. Generally however, from what I can remember the chicken salad was always a quizzical mix of chicken, mayonnaise and that bag of mixed vegetables you find in the frozen aisle at the grocery store (you know the one, with the peas, corn and little cubes of carrot). Now that didn't make it any less delicious, but when John made a rotisserie chicken the other night I was inspired to create a contemporary version of this Peruvian classic with the leftovers. Chicken salad is one of our favorite things to make with a leftover chicken; we've also been loving polenta bowls with a hodgepodge of sauteed vegetables and sliced chicken, but that's a whole other blog post.

I love the idea of eating chicken salad in something other than a sandwich, it just keeps things exciting and new. And it's perfect if you're trying to limit your carb intake because the avocado makes it feel decadent.

For this chicken salad I included currants, toasted almonds and a sprinkling of parsley for color, but I have also made this dish with a Southwestern twist using black beans, corn, roasted pepper and cilantro. And I just love a chicken salad with dill, fennel and citrus...the possibilities are endless! 

serves 2

Ingredients

1 cup cooked chicken breast, chopped

1 small shallot, diced

1 stalk celery, diced
2 tbsp dried currants
2 tbsp sliced almond, toasted
1 tbsp parsley, chopped
1/4 mayonnaise
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
salt & pepper
2 ripe avocados, halved, pitted and skins removed

Instructions
1. To make the chicken salad, combine chicken, shallot, celery, currants, toasted almond, parsley, mayonnaise and blasamic vinegar in a bowl and mix until ingredients are evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Scoop chicken salad into avocado halves. Garnish with additional parsley and serve.

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