Eva's Kitchen - Eva Longoria Parker [21]
chicken with caramelized shallots and shiitake-wine sauce
This is a perfect autumn dish, full of rich flavor and deep color. Be sure to really press down on the chicken when you add it to the pan to help the shallots and green onions stick to the skin and form a sort of caramelized onion crust. I prefer dark meat because it is generally juicier and more flavorful, but this method works very well with both dark and light meat.
MAKES 4 TO 6 SERVINGS
6 bone-in chicken thighs or 4 bone-in or boneless breasts, with skin
Kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 large shallots (about 4 ounces), thinly sliced
2 green onions (white and light green parts), chopped
Ingredients for Shiitake-Wine Sauce (see Note)
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Lightly season the chicken with salt and pepper. In a large, ovenproof skillet, heat the oil over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add the shallots and green onions and cook, stirring, just until beginning to brown, about 2 minutes. Arrange the chicken over the onions skin-side down and use a spatula to firmly press each piece of chicken into the onions. Cover the skillet and cook until the shallots and green onions are browned and sticking to the skin of the chicken and the chicken is almost completely cooked, 8 to 10 minutes. Uncover and transfer the pan to the oven until the chicken is completely cooked, about 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, prepare the shiitake-wine sauce.
4. Transfer the chicken and the caramelized onions to individual plates or a serving platter. Pour over some of the sauce; transfer the remainder to a gravy boat and pass at the table. Serve.
NOTE
The best time to prepare the sauce is indicated in the recipe.
hungarian paprika chicken
My fabulous hairdresser on the set of Desperate Housewives, Gabor, shared this recipe with me. In fact, he shared the very recipe his grandmother had used for decades—the card it was on must have been about eighty years old and was written in Hungarian! It took Gabor some time to decipher it, but I’m grateful for his efforts. It’s so delicious! It’s funny to think that almost every culture has some variation on the big pot of fragrant, nourishing stew. I’m glad to have been introduced to this one.
The bell peppers add sweetness and color; the dish is really beautiful when made with green, red, yellow, and orange peppers, but feel free to use whatever you prefer or can get your hands on. The stew is amazing served over buttered egg noodles. And don’t worry about leftovers; this is even better after sitting in the fridge for a day or two.
MAKES 8 TO 10 SERVINGS
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 yellow onions, chopped
3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size cubes
3 tablespoons sweet paprika
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper or to taste
4 bell peppers, preferably 1 each, green, red, yellow, and orange, cored and chopped
3 tomatoes, chopped
1 pound egg noodles
1 to 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
16 ounces sour cream
¼ cup all-purpose flour, or as needed
1. In a Dutch oven or other large pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until softened and translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the chicken. Cook until slightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes.
2. Add the paprika, salt, and pepper and stir to coat the meat. Stir in the peppers and tomatoes. Bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer until the chicken is tender, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes; the vegetables and chicken will have exuded their liquid to create a fragrant, bubbling stew.
3. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the egg noodles and cook according to package directions. Drain thoroughly, return to the pot or a bowl, and toss with the butter. Put aside and keep warm.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together