Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Grilled Chicken Sandwiches with Mustard, Grilled Potato Slices with Salt and Vinegar, Peach and Basil Crumbles



Grilled Chicken Sandwiches with Mustard, Grilled Potato Slices with Salt and Vinegar, Peach and Basil Crumbles

***Susan's Note: I made this for the family on Labor Day weekend, and it was delicious. I used Wegmans pre-marinated mustard chicken breasts for the chicken, patted them dry then put them in the marinade. I used Wegmans ciabatta bread instead of baguette. I used sour cream instead of creme fraiche. For dessert, I used 2 nectarines and 3 peaches and I peeled them, and I put everything into one baking dish, instead of 4 separate dishes. Yum.

Grilled Chicken Sandwiches with Mustard
Makes 4
1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup chopped fresh dill
2 garlic cloves, minced (1 tablespoon)
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
2 chicken cutlets (6 ounces each)
1 large red onion, sliced into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
3 ounces aged cheddar cheese, thinly sliced
1 baguette, cut crosswise into 4 pieces and halved horizontally
3 tablespoons creme fraiche
3 sour pickles, thinly sliced lengthwise

Directions
Mix 1/4 cup mustard, the oil, dill, garlic, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 3/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Add chicken and onion, and toss to coat. Refrigerate, covered, for 30 minutes.
Preheat grill to medium-high. Grill onion, turning often, 8 to 10 minutes. Grill chicken on 1 side for 3 minutes; flip, top with cheddar, and cook 3 minutes more. Cut cutlets in half. Grill baguette, cut sides down, until crisp, 1 to 2 minutes.
Mix remaining 3 tablespoons mustard and the creme fraiche in a small bowl. Spread onto cut sides of baguette. Sandwich chicken, pickles, and onion between bread.



Grilled Potato Slices with Salt and Vinegar
Simmering potatoes in vinegar imparts a pleasant tang reminiscent of salt-and-vinegar potato chips. Grilling, a healthier technique than frying, gives the potatoes a nice charred flavor.
Serves 4
1 pound potatoes, preferably fingerling, cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
2 cups white vinegar
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt, plus more for sprinkling
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Directions
Bring potatoes and vinegar to a boil in a medium saucepan (vinegar should cover potatoes). Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer potatoes until just fork tender, about 5 minutes. Let potatoes cool in vinegar for 30 minutes. Drain well, and gently toss with oil, salt, and pepper.
Preheat grill to medium-high. Grill potatoes in a single layer until browned on both sides and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Sprinkle with salt before serving.




Peach-and-Basil Crumbles
Makes 4

FOR THE FILLING
4 ripe peaches, pitted, peeled if desired, each sliced into 8 wedges
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 tablespoon fresh basil (3 to 4 leaves, torn if large)
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt

FOR THE TOPPING
2 ounces chopped almonds (1/3 cup)
1/3 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces
Heavy cream, for serving (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Make the filling: Mix all ingredients to combine.
Make the topping: Combine all ingredients (except cream), rubbing in butter with your fingers until mixture is crumbly.
Divide filling among four 5 1/2-inch round baking dishes, and sprinkle with topping. Transfer to a baking sheet. Bake until bubbling and golden brown, 25 to 27 minutes. Let cool slightly. Drizzle with heavy cream if desired.