Chicken takes center stage tonight in a dramatically delicious recipe. That’s what’s on the menu as we grab a Bite with Belkys.
The Chef: Tannie Permission
The Restaurant: Marti’s New River Bistro at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts
The Dish: Chicken a l’Orange
Ingredients:
4 Boneless chicken breasts
Marinade for the chicken:
2 cloves garlic, chopped
¼ cup cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped
2 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 large orange, zest and juice reserved separately
2 stalks celery, sliced cross-wise (for more flavor, include some chopped celery leaves as well)
Orange sauce:
1 pint orange juice, fresh (not from concentrate)
2 T sherry wine vinegar
2 T chicken stock
2 T sugar
2 sprigs thyme
2 sprigs rosemary
Polenta:
1 quart water
2 tsp garlic, chopped
1 1/2 cups polenta
1/2 cup smoked Gouda cheese, diced or shredded
Method of Preparation:
-Start with the marinade. Blend together chopped celery, cilantro, olive oil, orange juice, orange zest, garlic, salt and pepper.
– Next- put chicken breasts in a zip lock bag and pour in the marinade. Zip it up and make sure it coats all the chicken pieces. Marinate for at least two hours in the fridge.
– Remove from the marinade and sear the chicken in olive oil for about two minutes on each side. Finish the chicken in the oven at 325 degrees for about 15 minutes.
– To make the polenta, add water and cream- and bring it to a boil. Drop in some garlic, salt and cornmeal- stir well. Add butter, then fold in smoked gouda cheese. Blend well and set aside when it’s nice and creamy.
– For the sauce, bring orange juice to a boil and let it reduce by half. Add orange zest, sugar, sherry vinegar, chicken stock, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper. Let it reduce a little more- then strain it and you’re ready to plate.
To Plate:
Put a generous scoop of polenta down first, then some roasted carrots- and the chicken breast. Garnish the dish with orange slices and rosemary- and top it with the orange sauce.
Serving suggestion: Chardonnay
Serves: 4
Marti’s New River Bistro
Broward Center for the Performing Arts
201 Southwest 5th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
954.660.6333
http://browardcenter.org/visit/dining/martis-new-river-bistro
Bring in a printed copy of the recipe and get 20 percent off Marti’s a la carte menu now through Jan. 18.