Eye for a Recipe

This recipe from Bon Appetit is easy, tasty and pretty. Cook whole peppers in a hot cast iron skillet until they start to brown, then cool and slice. Return the peppers to the skillet with shallot, chile and thyme and set a whole chicken on top. Roast until the chicken is done and then serve the carved chicken over the beautifully soft and luscious vegetables.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Everything in this recipe is additive-free.

Cook peppers until they begin to colour

Slice peppers and place in skillet with shallot and thyme

Top with whole chicken and roast

Roast chicken with bell peppers, lemon and thyme

Ingredients:

4 large bell peppers (any colour)

1 large shallot, thinly sliced

1 Fresno chile, thinly sliced crosswise

5 sprigs thyme, divided

Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

¼ cup (60 ml) plus 1 Tbsp. (15 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

1 3½–4-lb. (1.6-1.8 kg) chicken, patted dry

1 lemon, halved

Preparation:

Place a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 425° F (218° C). Heat a large ovenproof skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high. Cook bell peppers in skillet, turning every minute or two, until blistered in several spots, about 5 minutes. (You aren’t trying to cook them, just get some color on them.) Transfer bell peppers to a cutting board and let cool slightly; reserve skillet. Stand a pepper upright and slice off sides, working your way around stem in 3 or 4 cuts. Pull out ribs and seeds; discard along with stems. Repeat with remaining peppers.

Return peppers to skillet and add shallot, chile, and 3 thyme sprigs. Season generously with salt and black pepper and drizzle ¼ cup (60 ml) oil over. Season chicken all over with salt and black pepper and set on top of peppers. Place a lemon half and remaining 2 thyme sprigs in chicken cavity and rub skin all over with remaining 1 Tbsp. (15 ml) oil. Roast in oven until skin is golden brown and crisp all over and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of breast registers 160° F  (71° C), 60–80 minutes. Remove from oven (be careful; handle is hot!) and let rest 15 minutes before transferring chicken to a cutting board and carving.

Just before serving, squeeze remaining lemon half over chicken and bell peppers. Serves 4.

From Bon Appetit

This tasty dish from Chef Daphna Rabinovitch takes only minutes to make. Pound chicken breasts until they are thin, dredge in flour and cook them. Once the cutlets are done, make a quick pan sauce flavoured with lemon and capers.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

I use Imagine chicken stock, which has no artificial colours or flavours. Be sure to use fresh lemon juice. I use Unico capers, which are additive-free.

Pound chicken until it is then and then dredge in flour

Fry until browned and cooked through

While chicken rests, make a pan sauce

Chicken piccata

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, filet removed, pounded thin to ¼ inch (0.64 cm) thickness

¼ cup (60 ml) all purpose flour

¼ tsp (1 ml) each salt and pepper

3 tbsp (45 ml) vegetable oil (not olive oil)

1 large clove garlic, minced

1 cup (250 ml) chicken stock

2 tsp (10 ml) grated lemon rind

¼ cup (60 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 tbsp (30 ml) drained capers

2 tbsp (30 ml) chopped fresh parsley

3 tbsp (45 ml) finely grated Parmigiano Reggiano

Preparation:

In large shallow bowl or plate, combine flour, salt and pepper. Carefully coat chicken breasts in flour mixture, reserving any remaining flour.

Heat 2 tbsp (30 ml) of the oil in a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Add cutlets, two at a time, to prevent overcrowding of the pan, and cook, turning once, for 3 to 5 minutes or until no longer pink inside. Transfer cooked cutlets to plate; cover to keep warm. Add remaining oil to pan; repeat with last two cutlets, transferring to plate to keep warm once cooked.

Stir garlic into pan; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Sprinkle in 2 tbsp (30 ml) of reserved flour mixture; cook, whisking constantly for 1 minute. Pour in chicken stock; bring to boil. Boil for about 3 minutes or until reduced to ½ cup (125 ml). Pour in lemon rind, juice and capers, simmer for another minute or so until thickened and flavourful. Swirl in parsley. Pour sauce over chicken and serve. Serves 4.

Daphna Rabinovitch

This quick and tasty dish from Martha Stewart is cooks in one pan on top of the stove. Brown the chicken and set it aside, then sauté garlic, artichokes and olives. Stir in stock and thinly sliced lemon, return the chicken to the pan and cook until the chicken is done. Cook’s Note: If you can’t find frozen artichoke hearts, the jarred marinated ones work just fine.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Make sure the artichoke hearts and olives are additive free. I use Imagine Organic chicken stock.

Brown the chicken

Sauté the olives and artichokes

Add the stock and lemons, return chicken to pan and simmer until done

Braised chicken with artichokes, olives and lemon

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken (3 ½ pounds/1.6 kg), cut into 8 pieces and patted dry

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

2 tablespoons (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

12 cloves garlic, peeled and lightly smashed

9 ounces (255 g) frozen artichoke hearts, thawed and halved

6 ounces (170 g) green olives, such as Castelvetrano (1 cup/250 ml)

1 tablespoon (15 ml) chopped fresh oregano, plus leaves for serving

2 tablespoons (30 ml) all-purpose flour

2 cups (500 ml) low-sodium chicken broth

1 small lemon, sliced into paper-thin rounds

Cooked orzo, for serving

Preparation:

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat a large straight-sided skillet over medium-high. Add oil, then chicken, skin-side down, in a single layer. Cook, turning, until browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic and artichokes; cook until golden brown in places, 5 to 7 minutes. Add olives, oregano, and flour; cook, stirring constantly, 30 seconds. Stir in broth and lemon, scraping browned bits from bottom of pan. Return chicken, skin side up, and any juices to pan; bring to a simmer. Partially cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of chicken (without touching bone) registers 165 degrees F (74 C), 10 to 12 minutes. Remove lid; continue simmering until sauce thickens slightly. Serve over orzo, sprinkled with oregano leaves. Serves 4.

From Martha Stewart Living

This recipe from Canadian Living is quick enough for a weeknight but would also be great for a casual Sunday dinner with family and friends. The chicken is flavoured with a spice rub and stuffed with lemon and orange quarters. While the chicken rests, make the delicious chimichurri, made with fresh herbs and citrus. Chimichurri, which originated in Argentina, is a green sauce served with meat.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Make sure the spices do not contain colour or anti-caking agents.

Coat chicken with spice rub

Let roasted chicken rest for 10 minutes

While chicken rests, make chimichurri

Spiced roast chicken with orange-cilantro chimichurri

Ingredients:

Spiced Roast Chicken

1 whole chicken (about 1.5 kg)

2 tsp (10 ml) vegetable oil

½ tsp (2 ml) kosher salt

½ tsp (2 ml) each pepper and tumeric

¼ tsp (1 ml) each ground allspice and ground cloves

Quartered orange

Quartered lemon

Orange-Cilantro Chimichurri

½ cup (125 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

½ cup (125 ml) chopped fresh cilantro

1/3 cup (75 ml) each chopped fresh oregano and fresh parsley

½ tsp (2 ml) grated orange zest

3 tbsp (45 ml) orange juice

2 tbsp (30 ml) lime juice

¼ tsp (1 ml) kosher salt

¼ tsp (1 ml) pepper

Preparation:

Spiced Roast Chicken: Pat chicken dry with paper towel. Brush all over with oil; sprinkle with salt.

Stir together pepper, turmeric, allspice and cloves; rub all over chicken. Place orange and lemon quarters in cavity. Place chicken, breast side up, on greased rack in roasting pan.

Roast in 400°F (200°C) oven, basting occasionally, until instant-read thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads 185°F (85°C), about 1 hour. Let rest for 10 minutes; discard orange and lemon. Carve chicken into portions.

Orange-Cilantro Chimichurri: While chicken is resting, in bowl, stir oil with garlic. Stir in cilantro, oregano, parsley, orange zest, orange juice, lime juice, salt and pepper. (Make-ahead: Refrigerate in airtight container for up to 24 hours.) Serve with chicken. Serves 4-6.

From Canadian Living

This lovely summer salad from Cook’s Illustrated combines cooked Israeli couscous with pickled shallots, fresh greens, herbs, peas, pistachios and feta cheese.  Israeli couscous is a toasted pasta shaped in tiny balls, about the size of small peas. You can boil it like pasta, or let it absorb water, like rice. Cook’s Note: Prepare the shallots and let them pickle while you continue with the rest of the recipe.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Look for a red wine vinegar without sulphites; I use Eden Organic brand. Use fresh lemon juice and check the pistachios for colour and sulphites. Select a feta cheese with all-natural ingredients such as Tre Stelle.

Pickle the shallots first

Toasting the couscous before cooking brings out its nutty flavour

Use lots of greens and mint

Frozen peas are fine if fresh are not available

Israeli couscous with lemon, mint, peas, feta and pickled shallots

Ingredients:

Couscous

2 cups (500 ml) Israeli couscous

1 tablespoon (15 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

2 ½ cups water (625 ml)

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt

Salad

1/3 cup (75 ml) red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons (30 ml) sugar

Salt and pepper

2 shallots, sliced thin

3 tablespoons (45 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

3 tablespoons (45 ml) lemon juice

1 teaspoon (5 ml) Dijon mustard

1/8 teaspoon (0.5 ml) red pepper flakes

1 recipe couscous (see above), cooled

4 cups (1 L) baby arugula, roughly chopped

1 cup (250 ml) fresh mint leaves, torn

½ cup (125 ml) frozen peas, thawed

½ cup (125 ml) shelled pistachios, toasted and chopped

3 ounces (185 ml) feta cheese, crumbled

Preparation:

Couscous

Heat couscous and oil in medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently, until about half of grains are golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Add water and salt; stir to combine. Increase heat to high and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until water is absorbed, 9 to 12 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and let stand, covered, for 3 minutes. Serve.

Salad

Bring vinegar, sugar, and pinch salt to simmer in small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves. Remove pan from heat, add shallots, and stir to combine. Cover and let cool completely, about 30 minutes. Drain and discard liquid.

Whisk oil, lemon juice, mustard, pepper flakes, and 1/8 teaspoon (0.5 ml) salt together in large bowl. Add cooled couscous, arugula, mint, peas, 6 tablespoons (90 ml) pistachios, ½ cup (125 ml) feta, and shallots and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste and transfer to serving bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup feta (60 ml) and remaining 2 tablespoons (30 ml) pistachios and serve. Serves 4.

From Cook’s Illustrated

This recipe from the January 2014 issue of Bon Appetit tastes as good as it looks. Salmon is tossed with fennel, orange and lemon slices, chili and dill and roasted at a low temperature for about 40 minutes. Cooked this way, the salmon is moist and tender, and the roasted citrus, fennel and chili are delicious on top. This recipe would also be good with cod or halibut.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

All of the ingredients in this recipe are fresh, so no need to worry about additives.

Place salmon in dish with citrus, fennel and dill

Slow roasting makes the salmon very moist

Slow-roasted salmon with fennel, citrus and chiles

Ingredients:

1 medium fennel bulb, thinly sliced

1 blood or navel orange, very thinly sliced, seeds removed

1 Meyer or regular lemon, very thinly sliced, seeds removed

1 red Fresno chile or jalapeño, with seeds, thinly sliced

4 sprigs dill, plus more for serving

Kosher salt and coarsely ground black pepper

1 2-lb. (907 g) skinless salmon fillet, preferably center-cut

¾ cup (375 ml) olive oil

Flaky sea salt (such as Maldon)

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 275° F (135° C). Toss fennel, orange slices, lemon slices, chile, and 4 dill sprigs in a shallow 3-qt. (2.8 L) baking dish; season with kosher salt and pepper. Season salmon with kosher salt and place on top of fennel mixture. Pour oil over.

Roast until salmon is just cooked through (the tip of a knife will slide through easily and flesh will be slightly opaque), 30–40 minutes for medium-rare.

Transfer salmon to a platter, breaking it into large pieces as you go. Spoon fennel mixture and oil from baking dish over; discard dill sprigs. Season with sea salt and pepper and top with fresh dill sprigs. Serves 6.

From the January 2014 issue of Bon Appetit