In this attractive
dish, chicken breasts are stuffed under the skin with a flavorful mixture
of cheese and sun-dried tomatoes. They're grilled, topped with an orange
dressing (Chef Zeman uses Valencia oranges), and served with colorful
vegetables.
| STUFFING: 1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese (about 3 ounces) or 5-1/2 ounces crumbled fresh goat cheese, such as Montrachet 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro 1 egg yolk 1/2 cup (scant) finely chopped drained oil-packed, sun-dried tomatoes |
Finely
chop cheese and cilantro with yolk in processor. Transfer to bowl. Mix
in tomatoes. Can be prepared one day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.
| DRESSING: 2 egg yolks 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar* or 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup walnut oil (hazelnut oil or vegetable oil)* 1 Tbsp. dry sherry 1 Tbsp. frozen orange juice (concentrate, thawed) 1/4 cup fresh orange juice 1 Tbsp. grated orange peel 1/2 tsp. dried tarragon (crumbled) Pinch of cayenne pepper 1/4 tsp. aniseed Salt and freshly ground pepper |
Blend
yolks and 1 tablespoon vinegar in processor. Combine both oils in one
cup. Combine remaining vinegar, sherry, and orange juice concentrate in
another cup. With processor running, slowly pour both mixtures alternately
through feed tube. Mix until slightly thickened. Blend in fresh orange
juice, orange peel, tarragon, and cayenne pepper. Grind aniseed in mortar
with pestle and add season with salt and pepper. Dressing can be prepared
one day ahead, cover and refrigerate.
*Available at specialty foods stores and some supermarkets.
CHICKEN:
6 large boneless chicken breast halves
Starting at wider short end of each breast, gently slide fingers between chicken skin and meat to form a pocket, 3-inch-deep pocket. Spoon stuffing into pastry bag fitted with medium plain tip. Pipe mixture into each pocket. Press around pocket opening with fingertips to enclose stuffing. Cover and refrigerate until stuffing is firm (about 30 minutes). Can be prepared up to 6 hours ahead.
|
VEGETABLES:
3 small yellow crookneck squash 3 small zucchini 3 small bell pepper (red, yellow and/or green) 2 large tomatoes (cut into 1/2 inch-thick slices) 1 bunch green onions (trimmed) |
Cut squash and zucchini lengthwise in thirds. Cut each bell pepper into 6 wedges. Place all vegetables on platter. Vegetables can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.
|
GRILLING:
2 Tbsp. aniseed olive oil 2 Tbsp. lemon-pepper seasoning salt |
Prepare barbecue
grill (high heat). Grind aniseed in mortar with pestle. Brush both sides
of chicken and vegetables with aniseed, olive oil, lemon-pepper seasoning,
and salt. Place chicken skin sides down in center of natural gas grill
and cook 7 minutes. Turn chicken over. Add squash, zucchini, and bell
peppers to grill and cook 4 minutes. Turn vegetables over. Add green onions
and tomatoes to grill and cook until chicken is cooked through and vegetables
are just tender, turning onions and tomatoes over once, about 3 minutes.
Arrange chicken and vegetables on platter. Spoon dressing over. Garnish
with fresh cilantro sprigs and serve.
16 ALAN ZEMAN
