Monday, May 28, 2007

Caesar by Jamie

What aroma or taste is better than Roast Chicken
Not a lot…(except if you are my husband and hates chicken).
This tasty roast chicken lifts Caesar salad to new heights.

Anyhow Katie of http://otherpeoplesfood.blogspot.com has won the “Hay Hay It’s Donna Day Mousse Competition” and its now her turn to host the next event.
She has chosen Caesar Salad and I think this recipe inspired by Jamie Oliver on his “Jamie @ Home” TV series is probably one of the tastiest I have had for a while

What really gives it a real difference is roasting the chicken and the croutons together.
Along with lovely crisp cos/romaine lettuce, crispy bacon and a zingy dressing, it is definitely now part of my repertoire.

You will need for 4 people
3 chicken thighs (bone in for more flavour)
Sprigs of rosemary
2-3 garlic cloves crushed
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Extra virgin olive oil


4 x 4 cms slices of your favourite country bread-ciabatta is excellent.

4 slices pancetta – streaky bacon is OK

Cos/Romaine lettuce

Shaving of Parmesan Cheese

Dressing
3 anchovies
Garlic
Grated parmesan cheese
Crème fraiche 1 tablespoons
Juice ½ lemon
Extra virgin olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper


Finely chop the rosemary leaves and garlic cloves with a little sea salt

Slash the chicken thighs and rub in the rosemary and garlic
Rub all the chicken with olive oil
Season with freshly ground black pepper.
In a baking dish place a little oil
Place bread ripped into big chunks
Lay chicken on bread and pop into oven and roast
It should take about 30 mins.
Place bacon slices over the chicken and back into oven for another 5 minutes to crisp up the bacon.

Remove from oven and rest the chicken and bacon for 5-10 minutes.
Rip meat off the bones (cook's treat is sucking the bones)
Break bacon into pieces

Make dressing in mortar and pestle
Pound anchovies and garlic
Add cheese and creme fraiche, freshly ground black pepper
Mix well
Add lemon juice
then drizzle in extra virgin olive oil to make an emulsion

To Assemble


Break up the lettuce, pile it on your plate arrange croutons, bacon, chicken and parmesan shavings and finally dress with the tangy dressing.

Toss around with your hands making sure everything has a fine coating of dressing.


I will guarantee this taste treat will make your day.