Go “chic” with Chicken this Christmas!

Christmas is a few weeks away and the thought of cooking the same old traditional fare can, for some, be demotivating.

For those looking for a tasty alterative to the traditional turkey, why not try the Granny Mouse Executive Chef, Shaun Christian’s, special Chicken Ballotine, Herbed Ricotta Filling, Dukkah, Spiced Sweet Potato and Cranberry Sauce which is also on offer on this year’s Granny Mouse Country House & Spa Christmas menu.

Ingredients for the Ballotines (makes 6) include:

 6x chicken breasts

Salt & pepper to taste

1 cup ricotta cheese

Lemon zest (1lemon)

½ cup walnuts

+/- 1 cup fresh bread crumbs

2x egg yolks

Chopped mixed herbs (parsley, basil, mint, parsley)

Method:

Firstly open the chicken breasts up with a sharp filleting knife. Lay a piece of cling film on a chopping board. Place an opened breast on the cling film. Lay another bit of cling film over the breast & gently flatten using a meat mallet or other suitably heavy item. Be gentle! Repeat six times.

In a small mixing bowl combine the ricotta, lemon zest, walnuts, bread crumb, egg yolks & fresh herbs. Combine well. (You should have something the consistency of a traditional bread stuffing)

Lay the chicken breasts out on board. Season well and then spoon a little of the filling into each breast. Cut six squares of cling film; close up the stuffed breast & tightly wrap in cling film knotting off both ends

Ingredients for the Dukkah Spiced Sweet Potato:

 1kg x Sweet potato (yellow & orange), cubed

1kg x Red onions, cut into eighths

1tsp x Garlic, grated

1tsp x Ginger, grated

½ tsp Chilli, chopped

1Tbsp Dukkah Spice

½ cup coriander, chopped

2Tbsp Lemon juice

1Tbsp honey

Olive oil for frying

Salt & black pepper

Method:

 Sauté off the red onions in a hot pan for 4-5 minutes, then add the garlic, ginger, chilli & sauté for another few minutes. Tip contents into a roasting pan.

Add a little more olive oil to the pan, brown off the sweet potato in batches & add to the onion mixture. Mix to combine & roast in the oven for 20 minutes till sweet potatoes are soft to the touch. Add the lemon juice, honey & chopped coriander, check seasoning & set aside till needed.

Ingredients for the Cranberry Sauce:

 1x tin cranberry sauce

1x cup cranberry juice

1x cup chicken stock

1x piece cinnamon bark

2x Star anise

4x Tbsp Brown sugar

Method: Place all ingredients in a saucepan, bring to the boil. Reduce by half. Set aside till needed.

Serving suggestion:

Poach the ballotine in boiling chicken stock for 8-10 minutes till cooked through.

Heat up the dukka potato.

Heat up the cranberry sauce.

Slice each ballotine into 3, swirl a little of the cranberry sauce onto a hot dinner plate, along with the dukka spiced sweet potato & the chicken pieces, garnish with a little extra Dukkah, some greens & serve immediately.

Bon Appetit!

For more information regarding the Granny Mouse Country House & Spa Christmas Menu call (033) 234 4071 or email banqueting@grannymouse.co.za.