Food Network: Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Scallopini with Fresh Tomato Sauce and Herbed Orzo with Peas

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Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Scallopini with Fresh Tomato Sauce and Herbed Orzo with Peas
Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 2004

Ingredients
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, 6 to 8 ounces each, patted
dry
Essence, recipe follows
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
4 ounces Gouda, cut into 4 index finger-sized pieces about 2-inches by 3/4-inches
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 large egg
1 tablespoon water
1/2 cup fine dry bread crumbs
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Fresh Tomato Sauce, recipe follows
Herbed Orzo with Peas, recipe follows
Chopped parsley, garnish

Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread a sheet of plastic wrap flat on the work surface. Place 1 chicken breast in the center of the
sheet and top with another sheet of plastic. Gently pound it with the flat side of a meat mallet (or
the bottom of a small skillet or saucepan) until very thin, about 1/8-inch thick. Repeat with the
remaining chicken breasts.

Lightly season the chicken on both sides with Essence, salt, and pepper.

Lay a piece of Gouda in the center of each chicken breast. Tuck the short ends of the chicken in and
roll up the long ends, jellyroll fashion, to enclose the cheese completely. Secure each breast
diagonally with a wooden toothpick, as needed.

In a shallow bowl, combine the flour with 1 teaspoon Essence. In another bowl, beat the egg with the
water. In a third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with 1 teaspoon of Essence.

One at a time, lightly coat each chicken breast roll in the flour. Dip into the egg wash, and then
dredge in the bread crumbs to evenly coat, shaking to remove any excess.

In a large ovenproof skillet, heat the oil and melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the
chicken breasts and cook, turning, until browned on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes. (If not an ovenproof
skillet, transfer to a baking dish.) Place in the oven and bake until the chicken is cooked through,
8 to 10 minutes.

Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and remove the toothpicks. Slice each breast into 3/4-inch
rounds.

Spoon the orzo into the center of each of 4 large dinner plates and arrange the sliced breasts along
the orzo. Top the chicken with the tomato sauce and garnish with chopped parsley.

Serve immediately.

Fresh Tomato Sauce:
1 1/2 pounds ripe plum or heirloom tomatoes, cored, seeded, and roughly chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon chopped garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt

In a blender, combine all the ingredients and pulse to a chunky
consistency.

Transfer to a glass bowl and adjust the seasoning to taste. Let sit at room temperature for 30
minutes to 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend. Serve at room temperature.

Yield: 4 servings

Herbed Orzo with Peas:
8 ounces orzo pasta
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped green onions
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
Salt

Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook

until tender, about 8 minutes. Add the peas and cook until tender, about 1 minute. Drain and rinse
under cold running water. Drain well.

In a large bowl, toss the pasta with the oil and lemon juice. Add the green onions, parsley, and
basil and toss to combine. Add salt to taste.
Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled.

Yield: 4 servings