Pecan Crusted Chicken with Apple Cider Sauce

gingerpale · Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 1324

This was a pleasant surprise--I'd never had chicken with apple before! It is from Sundance, a ski resort in Utah.

6 chicken breasts
1 cup flour
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1/4 cup fine breadcrumbs
oil for pan browning of chicken

Sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 shallots, sliced
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1 quart cider (I used half hard cider, half apple juice)
2 cups demi-glace (beyond my skills--used Knorr demi-glace mix)
1/2 cup cream
salt and pepper

Mix the nuts and crumbs. Mix the eggs and milk. Dredge chicken in flour, then dip in egg mixture, then coat with nut mixture. Fry in oiled pan until brown, then bake in 350 F oven until done.

Sauce
Saute shallots and garlic in oil until soft, add cider/juice and
reduce to half by simmering. Add remaining ingredients, simmer until thickened a bit.
Serve. Not bad!
Sauce reduction is important--concentrates the apple flavor.

madameshawshank · Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 12:30 am Post subject:

hey there gingerpale ~ NOTHING'S beyond your skills...you've the C&Z fanclub as support...
Wink

kitchen hugs
_________________
"I've never accepted the external appearance of things as the whole truth. The world is much more elaborate than the nerves of our eye can tell us." - James Gleeson

Knifethrower · Joined: 29 Oct 2006 Posts: 218 Location: Heaven, actually.

Oooooh Gingerpaaaaale,

I am SO all over this one!

Thanks for sharing it!

Just got me a boatload of nuts and such from Trader Joe's on the last trip back east- got some hot and spicy pecans to use!
_________________
There is only one way to die- With a full stomach and a good tan.

madameshawshank · Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 1:57 am Post subject:

Knifethrower, I want to hear your accent Smile

...the wondrous roll of your words
_________________
"I've never accepted the external appearance of things as the whole truth. The world is much more elaborate than the nerves of our eye can tell us." - James Gleeson

gingerpale · Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 1324

Madame thanks for the vote of confidence! Next time I'll glace and demi and mirepoix and whistle whilst I do it!

Knifethrower's accent? I imagine it's 'highly educated Jewish girl', with a few fart joke trills thrown in. (She has a great blog, and we have corresponded a bit, so I'm just guessing!)

Judy · Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 10:00 am Post subject:

Just a questions from an Antipodean who doesn't know these things....

What's 'hard cider'?
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Doing what you like is freedom
Liking what you do is happiness

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Griffin · Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 932 Location: England

gingerpale · Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 1324

Judy, hard cider is fermented apple juice--it usually has a higher alcohol content than beer (at least American 3.2% beer), but is not as strong as wine. It's fairly unusual here, I think more popular in England? (Where it apparently talks things over with Griffin.) I had my first taste when I made this dish--it's delicious on its own.

Clotilde used it in her "Cider Stewed Pork Loin..Roast", she called it cidre brut.

Judy · Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 11:45 pm Post subject:

Thanks gingerpale. My English in-laws drink alcoholic cider on the very rare occasions that they drink, so we usually have a couple of small bottles of Strongbow draught in our cupboard. Would this be okay to use?

Perhaps a better question might be..

What did you use (ie what brand), was it sweet, draught or something else, and where did you buy it?

Gee, so many questions for just one ingredient. Reminds me of the 'lemonade' debate we had a while back with the No-Fail Scones. To save time searching back through the archives, Australian lemonade = Sprite or 7-Up.
_________________
Doing what you like is freedom
Liking what you do is happiness

www.cupcakerecipebook.com.au

gingerpale · Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 1324

LOL, Judy--where did I buy it? I bought it in the Utah State Liquor Store, the only place where it's legal to sell it! Sorry, I forget other places have different liquor laws, the question was not expected.
The sauce should taste like apple--I think that's the only thing required--I don't know why an alcoholic drink is specified. (ANY more knowledgeable cooks feel free to correct me!!) The Strongbow, if it tastes and smells like apples..fine. I used "Hornsby's amber draft hard cider..blah blah" Supposed to look British and old fashioned, but made in Modesto California. Our liquor stores have a good selection of wine (because people have asked!), but this is the only hard cider I found.

I looked up the lemonade/scone thread (you knew I would!) and it was delightful--*almost* the very first appearance of Simona!

madameshawshank · Posted: Sun May 13, 2007 11:56 am Post subject:

simply keep this cider chat goin'...I'm a happy gal...love love love the stuff..
_________________
"I've never accepted the external appearance of things as the whole truth. The world is much more elaborate than the nerves of our eye can tell us." - James Gleeson

Knifethrower · Joined: 29 Oct 2006 Posts: 218 Location: Heaven, actually.

Oh, you GUUUUUUUYs!

Smile

Sunlight dancing through leaves? Highly educated Jewish girl plus fart jokes? Wondrous rolls? Youse awll flattah me!

I liken my voice to a very well made espresso- a low softness on the front, barely audible at times, never acrid or sour. A middle of sturdy chocolate and spice for support, and a finish of smashed wild berries and smoke- for that final, unpredictable parting shot of, "Uh-oh. What's she going to say next...?".

If my voice were roles and actors, I'd be a blend of Alan Alda's Hawkeye Pierce and The Nanny, of Fran Drescher Fame.

And yes, fart jokes are standard issue equipment!

Can't we all just meet at Gingerpale's place for potluck dinner and gab all night long???
_________________
There is only one way to die- With a full stomach and a good tan.

gingerpale · Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 1324

oh knifethrower-- when I am threatened with guests I tend to have to buy all new underwear (for bravery, not hygiene) and repaint the whole house. It takes me hours to get the pattern centered on the pillowcases. Fear and cleaning product smells permeate what will be a very mediocre luncheon or dinner, believe me!

Interesting topic though--what kind of hosts/hostesses are you?
When you trot out your best, (and buy extra) are you showing off, or being hospitable?

madameshawshank · Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 11:41 pm Post subject:

gingerpale...I'll come to your place at some unknown day to you...joyously take ye away from your home for goodness knows how long...wine 'n bubbles 'n whatever else I can think of to pour into glasses...after a while I'd take you back...C&Z would have arrived...the feasting would have begun...and you, dear gingerpale, would be all aglow at the sight of it all...

'n then the fear etc would be no more!

mark my words dear one...you know not the potluck day Wink

C&Zerswill come bearing their signature dishes...I'll make churros and the chocolate sauce...'n bubbles I will bring..

hugs (dipped in chocolate)
_________________
"I've never accepted the external appearance of things as the whole truth. The world is much more elaborate than the nerves of our eye can tell us." - James Gleeson

gingerpale · Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 1324

Oh Madame I think almost every post you've ever written has made me laugh--but this one has me in tears. Merci bien.