Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Chopped Competition #1 Winner!

Candied Yams Shepherd's Pie

Ingredients:

Sauce-

half a stick of butter (4 tbsp)

2 tbsp all purpose flour

1% milk

chicken broth

parmesan cheese

salt and pepper

2 handfuls of Cool Ranch Doritos

Filling-

half a stick of butter (4 tbsp)

mirepoix (mixture of diced celery, carrots and onions) I bought the one in the store that is already diced for you, 7 oz container, so about a cup total if you do it yourself.

1/2 tsp minced garlic (equal to 1 clove)

1/4 cup of chicken broth

12 oz precooked chicken sausage (removed from casings and minced, I blended it up a little in the food processor) I used Al Fresco Chicken Sausage, Sweet Italian Style

Candied Yams-

4 yams (pealed, cubed and boiled)

8 oz can water chestnuts

1 to 2 cups of vanilla ice cream (melted) I used Breyers Homemade Vanilla

half a stick of butter (4 tbsp)

Directions:

Sauce-

Melt half a stick of butter in a saucepan and mix in 2 tbsp of all purpose flour Add chicken stock and 1% milk (until the right consistency and amount,) then add Doritos that have been ground up into fine crumbs (about 2 handfuls of chips, I used the food processor to grind them up) and a couple handfuls of parmesan cheese, then a dash of salt and black pepper. This is not an exact recipe, I used my own judgment, I wanted a nice sauce that had a gravylike consistency. Stir well throughout. After it's all well incorporated, reduce the heat way down so sauce doesn't burn before adding it to the filling.

Filling-

Cook diced celery, carrots and onions, cook until onions begin to caramelize. Add minced garlic, cook for about 2 more minutes. Add a sprinkling of black pepper. Add chicken broth to deglaze the pan and stir with spoon. Then mix in chicken and cook for 1 minute. Pour in the sauce and stir. Place mixture into casserole dish or smaller individual serving dishes that are oven safe.

Candied Yams-

After boiling the yams until they are fork soft. strain and place in a bowl for mashing and mixing. Finely blend up the water chestnuts with about 1/4 cup of vanilla ice cream, adding a liquid helps it blend up better. Place the water chestnuts in the bowl of yams. Add the butter and blend with a mixer until butter is mostly melted in. Add vanilla ice cream until the right creaminess that you like, about a cup or so more. Don't make them too wet or they will be runny and too sweet. Use your best judgement.

Assembly and Presentation:

Spoon filling into dishes, leaving room to top with some yams. Sprinkle one good handful of crushed Cool Ranch Doritos mixed with a little parmesan cheese. (just to cover)

Spoon yams over chicken filling. Place under broiler for 4-5 minutes and serve. If you plan to serve later (and broil later) cover and place in the fridge, then bake on 350 for 20 minutes and broil for 4-5 minutes and serve.

Drizzle with vanilla ice cream and sprinkle lightly with some cinnamon.