Pollo al Mattone
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed and finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 3 sprigs rosemary, leaves finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon pimenton
- 1 teaspoon toasted ground cumin
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 Cornish game hens, butterflied, backbone and wing tips removed, legs tied with kitchen string
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 3/4 cup chicken stock
- Special equipment: weights such as foil covered bricks or cast iron saute pan
- In a small bowl combine the garlic, crushed red pepper, lemon zest and juice, rosemary, pimenton, and cumin.
- Drizzle in olive oil until the mixture becomes a paste.
- Place the chicken into a large bowl and massage with the spice mixture.
- Let marinate for 12 to 24 hours in the refrigerator or 2 hours at room temperature.
- * If refrigerating the chicken, remove from the refrigerator 45 minutes to 1 hour before cooking to let the chicken come to room temperature.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Coat a large saute pan with olive oil and bring to a high heat.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
- Lay the marinated chicken in the pan, skin side down.
- Oil the bottom of another large saute pan, lay it on top of the chickens and place bricks or weights in the second saute pan.
- Cook the chicken until the skin starts to brown, about 5 minutes.
- Place the whole shootin' match in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes.
- Remove the pans from the oven and remove the weights and the top pan.
- At this point the skin should be lovely and dark brown.
- Check the chicken for doneness, it should be cooked through but still succulent and juicy.
- Remove the chickens from the pan and reserve on a large platter.
- Remove the excess fat from the saute pan and add the white wine.
- Cook over high heat until the wine has reduced by more than half.
- Add the chicken stock, season with salt and reduce by half.
- Arrange chicken on serving plates or a platter.
- Spoon the juices over.
- Tastes like chicken!
garlic, red pepper, lemon, rosemary, ground cumin, extravirgin olive oil, cornish game hens, kosher salt, white wine, chicken stock
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/anne-burrell/pollo-al-mattone-recipe.html (may not work)