One of our favorite pastimes is finding new, interesting, and delicious ingredients to use in our creative recipes. We found a fantastic source in Italian Products & Beyond, an Italian-products import company based in Elizabeth, New Jersey. They have a diverse selection of high-quality products that include EVOOs, vinegars, truffle products, pâtés, pesto, tomato products, coffee, fish, salts, nuts, sweets, and select very special holiday products.
One of the amazing products that Italian Products & Beyond import is the Marabissi Il Panforte Torta Amerene e Peperoncino (Sour Cherries and Chili "Cake") made in Tuscany, Italy by the celebrated three-generations Marabissi, S.R.L. company. We cut some small slices to try, and it was delicious. It inspired us to serve it on a cheese tray featuring a selection of dried apricots, dates, dried salami, and gorgonzola. It would also be nice to serve alongside a small salad and cheese for a cheese course.
We also used it to create our culinary recipe, Luxury Experience – Grappa Sour Cherry Almond Chicken, where the rich flavors of the Marabissi Il Panforte really come through in this tasty dish.
Luxury Experience – Grappa Sour Cherry Almond Chickenz
Serves 2
Luxury Experience – Grappa Sour Cherry Almond Chicken combines the richness of Marabissi Il Panforte Torta Amerene e Peperoncino (Sour Cherries and Chili "Cake") imported by Italian Products & Beyond with Continuum Distilling Grappa to create a delectable sauce for the baked chicken, then tops it with crumbled gorgonzola for an amazing pairing. The Sour Cherries and Chili Cake is like a fruit and nut pâté, that also has cocoa, almonds, and honey that was perfect to pair with chicken.
Serve the chicken breasts on a bed of braised fennel and Trader Joe’s Whole Durum Wheat Couscous with the addition of chopped fennel and onions, and you have a memorable, yet easy to make dinner. Bon Appetit!
Luxury Experience – Grappa Sour Cherry Almond Chicken Ingredients
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2
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7.5 ounce
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Chicken Breasts, boneless and skinless
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1
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Ounce
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8
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Ounces
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Chicken Bouillon (or chicken stock)
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2
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Ounces
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Salt and Pepper, to taste
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1
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Teaspoon
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Cornstarch
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1
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Ounce
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Gorgonzola, crumbled
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0.5
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Cup
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Fennel Bulb, sliced
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0.5
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Cup
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Onion, chopped
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3
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Tablespoons
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Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
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1
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Cup
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Trader Joe’s Whole Durum Wheat Couscous
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1
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Cup
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Water
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Salt and Pepper, to taste
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Fennel Fronds, garnish
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Method: Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius).
Add the chicken bouillon to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the chopped sour cherries and chili "cake," lower to a simmer, and stir occasionally until mixture is smooth and the "cake" has dissolved, about 8-10 minutes. Check and add salt and pepper to taste.
Line a baking dish with parchment. Place chicken on the parchment paper. Pour the sauce over the chicken, wrap parchment securely like an envelope, cover with foil and bake 30 minutes or until chicken is tender.
Method for the Braised Fennel: While chicken is cooking, braise the fennel in a large sauté pan with 1-tablespoon EVOO and salt and pepper. Cover, and steam the fennel by adding 2-ounces of water to the pan. Just before water evaporates, remove the cover to finish cooking.
Method for the Couscous: Heat a medium saucepan, add 2-tablespoons of EVOO, salt and pepper, then add the chopped fennel and onion, cover, and sweat. Add the water and bring to a boil, then add the couscous, stir to combine, remove from the heat, and set aside.
Remove chicken from the parchment paper, over loosely with foil, and set aside. Pour the juices from the chicken into a small saucepan. Mix 1-teaspoon with a small amount of the juices and stir to combine. Cook over medium heat until slightly thickened to create the sauce.
Presentation: Place the fennel and couscous on two plates. Top each with a chicken breast. Pour the sauce over the chicken. Garnish with crumbled gorgonzola and fennel fronds. Buon Appetito!
To learn more about Italian Products & Beyond and to purchase their exceptional products please visit their website: www.italianproducts.com or telephone them at: +1-201-770-9130.
Italian Products & Beyond
Artisan Tradition and Epicurean Innovation
Italian Products USA, Inc.
758 Lidgerwood Avenue
Elizabeth, New Jersey 07202
United States
Telephone: +1-201-770-9130
Email: info@italianproducts.com
Website: www.ItalianProducts.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/italianproductsandbeyond
Instagram: @italianproductsandbeyond
Twitter: @ItalianProdUSA
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© February 2021. Luxury Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com All rights reserved.
