We asked 3 of our FOF Food Gurus for their no-fuss, no-fail recipes for entertaining. They dazzled us with 3 mouthwatering dishes. Next, we turned to wine pairing guru FOF Jill Silverman Hough, author of the 100 Perfect Pairings cookbooks, for her wine picks for each dish.
The only thing you have to do now is set the table….
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FOF Guru debg2 recommends:
Parmesan Chicken with Fresh Greens and Lemon Vinaigrette from Barefoot Contessa Family Style, 2002
“If I don’t know everyone well, I keep it simple with special details they’ll appreciate. Parmesan chicken topped with fresh greens and light lemon vinaigrette is impressive on the plate, mostly fail-proof and looks like a lot more work than it is.”
Parmesan Chicken with Fresh Greens and Lemon Vinaigrette from Barefoot Contessa Family Style, 2002
Serves 6.
Ingredients:
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts – pounded down to about 1/4″ thick (rolling pin works)
1 cup flour
1 t. kosher salt
1/2 t. ground black pepper
2 extra large eggs
1 T water
1 1/4 cups seasoned dry bread crumbs
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus extra for serving on top
unsalted butter (at least 8 T)
olive oil
salad greens for 6, washed and spun dry (recommended: spring greens)
For the lemon vinaigrette:
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 t. kosher salt
1/4 t. ground black pepper
Method:
Make the lemon vinaigrette by whisking together the lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.
Combine the flour, salt and pepper on a dinner plate. On a second plate, beat the eggs with the tablespoon of water. On a third plate, combine the bread crumbs and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan. Coat the chicken breasts on both sides with the flour mixture, then dip both sides into the egg mixture and dredge both sides in the bread-crumb mixture, pressing lightly. Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large saute pan and cook 2-3 chicken breasts on medium heat for 2 – 3 minutes on each side, until cooked through. Remove to clean pan. Add more butter and oil and cook the remaining chicken breasts. Chicken can be prepared to this point then placed in oven preheated to 200 degrees to keep warm until ready to plate.
Assembling the dish:
Toss the salad greens very lightly with lemon vinaigrette. Place a mound of salad on each hot chicken breast. Shave some parmesan with a potato peeler and place a few shavings ontop of the salad greens.
Jill’s perfect wine pairing: Pinot Grigio or a crisp Chardonnay. Try: Grgich 2008 Napa Valley Chardonnay or Cupcake 2009 Pinot Grigio from Trentino, Italy.
“This dish has rich elements – the Parmesan coating, the skillet browning, and the meatiness of the chicken that are nicely complemented by a pile of brightly-dressed greens. A crisp Chardonnay will work with both. Pinot Grigio will be slightly lighter, but keep with the Italian feeling of the dish.”
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FOF Guru gomargonm recommends:
Salmon en Papillote with Festive Molded Rice
“With this recipe, the prep work is done before the company comes. While everyone is enjoying drinks and appetizers, I pop it in the oven. I like to cut the packets open at the table. It makes for ‘ooohs’ and ‘aaahs’!”
Serves 6
Ingredients
6 – 6oz pieces of salmon fillet
1 carrot, cut in fine julienne
12 large mushrooms, sliced
½ lb sugar snap peas, or snow peas
2 small yellow squash, sliced
1 bunch green onions, sliced
Parchment paper or heavy duty aluminum foil.
For the Teriyaki Sauce
1 T minced garlic
1 cup soy sauce
2/3 cup dry sherry
Juice of 2 lemons
½ cup brown sugar
Method:
Make the Teriyaki sauce by blending together garlic, soy sauce, sherry, lemon juice and brown sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until reduced by 1/3. (May be kept in refrigerator for up to one month. Stir well before using.)
Place all vegetables in a mixing bowl. Add just enough teriyaki sauce to coat. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
Cut 6 pieces of parchment paper or aluminum foil. Place a portion of vegetables on bottom of each piece of parchment or foil. Arrange a salmon fillet on top of vegetables and spoon 1 T. teriyaki sauce over top.
Tightly seal the package and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. Open packets carefully, as steam will escape.
Festive Molded Rice
Serves 6
Ingredients
1 ½ cups jasmine rice
3 cups water
1/3 cup chopped pistachios – reserve 3 T for garnish
1/3 cup chopped cilantro – reserve 2 T for garnish
Pinch of kosher or sea salt
Method:
Place all ingredients in a heavy pot. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 20 – 25 minutes. Let cool slightly.
Spoon rice into a rice mold, small ramekin or clean tuna fish can. Unmold on dinner plate. Garnish with reserved pistachios and cilantro.
Jill’s perfect wine pairing: An off-dry Riesling or an off-dry Gewürztraminer. Try: Chateau St. Michelle 2009 Eroica Riesling
“The teriyaki sauce is going to make this dish slightly sweet. An off-dry wine will have just enough sweetness to complement it. Riesling will be a little lighter than Gewurztraminer, cleansing your palate between bites. Both are classic pairings for Asian foods.”
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FOF Guru Apple Pie recommends:
Individual Beef Wellingtons from Sandra Lee on ABC News
“An easy one when you have leftover beef or even lamb and just as festive as regular Beef Wellington. Or if you wish, use tender chunks of filet.“
Individual Beef Wellingtons
Serves 4 multiply as needed )
Ingredients:
2 T. butter
1 cup chopped fresh mushrooms
1 cup frozen chopped onions
2 t. crushed garlic
1/2 t. salt
2 T cognac
1 sheet (from 17-ounce box) frozen puff pastry, thawed,
1 box (5.2-ounce) semisoft herbed cheese, softened, ex: Boursin
2 cups coarsely chopped leftover beef or lamb
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon water
Method:
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add mushrooms, onions, garlic, and salt. Cook about 10 minutes or until juices released from mushrooms have evaporated. Add cognac; cook until cognac has evaporated.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out puff pastry to a 12-inch square. Cut into four 6-inch squares. Divide cheese among puff pastry squares, placing cheese in center of each square. Top with leftover beef; top with mushroom mixture.
In a small clear bowl, lightly whisk together egg and the water. Brush the edges of the puff pastry squares with the egg mixture. Pull the corners of each pastry square to the center; pinch edges closed. Place, seam sides down, on a baking sheet. Chill in refrigerator for 15 minutes.
Preheat oven to 400°F. Remove Wellingtons from refrigerator and brush tops of pastries with the remaining egg mixture. Bake in preheated oven about 25 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.
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Jill’s perfect wine pairing: Merlot. Try: Freemark Abbey 2007 Napa Valley Merlot
“Merlot will be big enough to stand up to the intensity of the beef and the rich puff pastry, but it also typically has some softness, which will nicely complement the semi-soft cheese.”
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Images via Food Network, The Tea Chick, Forward and Williams Sonoma
0 Responses to “{Food} No-fail entertaining recipes and wine pairings, your guests will love!”
Kawabata says:
You know I’m a follower, and the Thankful Kit is cute. I’m sorry your cemuptor isn’t behaving, and I’m also sorry b/c I don’t think my post will be ready for you tomorrow. I’m going to do my best…..don’t hate me?!xoxoxoand I still haven’t submitted anything to you for Tickled Pink. I suck.
wendy says:
I love this site…the recipes are wonderful and perfect for just us girls and the wine paring are FAB FOF
Jill Silverman Hough says:
The piece is great, FOF! Thanks for inviting me to participate!