Category Archives: Sauces

Pesto “Fried” Chicken

2 to 2 1/2 pounds chicken pieces (breasts, thighs and drumsticks), skinned, all visible fat removed
3 tablespoons purchased pesto or homemade pesto
1/4 cup cornflake crumbs
Fresh lemon or lime wedges (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Rinse chicken and pat dry. Place breasts and thighs bone side down in a shallow baking pan. Add drumsticks and brush top of chicken with pesto and sprinkle with cornflake crumbs.
Bake, uncovered, 45 to 55 minutes or until chicken is tender and no longer pink. Serve with lemon or lime wedges if desired.
Cook’s Tip: Skinning chicken, especially drumsticks and wings, can be tricky since they are so slippery. An easy way around this problem is to grasp the skin with a dry paper towel as you pull it away from the meat.

Barbecue Pot Pie with Cheese Grits Crust

1 large sweet onion, diced

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups thick barbecue sauce

1 1/2 cups beef broth

1 pound shredded barbecued pork*

Cheese Grits Crust Batter*

Cheese Grits Crust Batter*

2 cups water

2 cups milk

1 cup quick-cooking grits

2 cups (8 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon seasoned pepper

2 large eggs, lightly beaten


Preparation:


Bring water and milk to boil in a large saucepan; add grits, and cook, stirring often, 5 minutes or until thickened. Stir in cheese, salt, and pepper; remove from heat.

Stir about one-fourth of grits mixture gradually into beaten eggs; add to remaining grits mixture, stirring constantly.

Spoon hot grits mixture evenly over hot Barbecue Pot Pie mixture.

Bake at 425° for 15 minutes.

Yield Makes 1 (13X9 inch) crust

Sauté onion in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until golden brown. Stir in flour, and cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Gradually stir in barbecue sauce and beef broth; cook, stirring constantly,

3 minutes or until mixture begins to thicken. Stir in pork, and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, and spoon mixture into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish.

Spoon Cheese Grits Crust Batter evenly over hot barbecue mixture.

Bake at 425° for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and set.

*1 pound shredded beef may be substituted for pork.

Yield 8 to 10 servings