Archive for » December 13th, 2007«

Spatchcocks with a Herb Butter and Sage and Bacon Sauce

Spatchcocks are just baby chickens usually weighing between 450-600g a bird, they have great flavour, although a little fiddly when eating. I love this recipe I think it so full of flavour.

                                                                                                                                                                  Ingredients

4 Spatchcocks (about 500g each.)
60g Butter
2 Cloves Garlic, crushed
2 Tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
2 Tablespoons basil, finely chopped
8 Sprigs fresh thyme
4 Slices prosciutto
2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Tablespoons lemon juice

Sage and Bacon Sauce

1 Red onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons seeded mustard
2 tablespoons fresh sage, finely chopped
1Teaspoon Chicken stock granules
1 tablespoon virgin olive oil
1/3 cup cream (can be lite cream)
1 cup water
1/2 cup dry white wine
4 bacon rashers, chopped

Method

1. Combine butter, garlic and herbs in a bowl.

2. Loosen the skin of the spatchcock by sliding fingers between skin and meat at neck joint, divide butter evenly between spatchcocks, and spread as evenly as possible under the skin. (don’t worry if it is a little lumpy, it melts once in the oven which helps it to disperse. I know this step can be a little tricky since I have made this several times, but it is worth it.)

3. Place 2 thyme sprigs inside the cavity and tie legs together with kitchen string. Wrap a slice of prosciutto around each spatchcock and place in a baking dish.

4. Drizzle combined oil and juice over spatchcocks and roast in a preheated oven 180c for 45-50 Min’s or until cooked through.

Serve spatchcocks with bacon and sage sauce.

For the Sauce

1. Heat oil in pan, add onion, garlic and bacon. Cook, stirring until onion is soft and bacon lightly browned.

2. Add water, stock, wine and mustard.

3. Bring to boil, simmer, uncovered for 5 minutes or until reduced to 1 cup.

4. Stir in cream and sage

5. Serve sauce over spatchcocks.

I served mine with stuffing balls and asparagus.

For photo purposes I didn’t pour sauce over.

All photo’s taken by me unless otherwise stated.

Spicy Prawns

This is another recipezaar members recipe, I really enjoyed this one. I loved the spiciness, I marinated my prawns overnight and the flavour was wonderful. I did up the Sambal Oelek to 1 Teaspoon, but I just wanted extra kick, The whole family enjoyed this one. If you want read reviews or see more recipes by this chef click here. This is the second recipe I have made by this chef and both were really good, the sesame crusted lamb chops I posted a couple of weeks ago was the other.

Ingredients

1 kg medium prawns, uncooked
2 Teaspoons peanut oil

Marinade

2 Cloves garlic, crushed
2 Teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
2 Teaspoons lemongrass, finely chopped
1/2 Teaspoon cumin
1/2 Teaspoon ground coriander
4 Teaspoons teriyaki sauce
2 Teaspoons honey
4 Spring onions, chopped
1/2 Teaspoon sambal oelek

Method

1. Shell and devein the prawns, leaving the tails intact.

2. Combine the prawns and the marinade in bowl.

3. Cover and refrigerate for several hours or over night.

4. Heat oil in large non-stick pan and cook the prawns until they are tender.

5. Serve at once over rice or noodles, with a green vegetable.

6. MARINADE:Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.

I served mine over noodles with vegetables.

All photo’s taken by me unless otherwise stated.