Sourdough Panzanella with Grilled Chicken

Ingredients

1/2 cup olive oil; more for the grill
4 3/4 inch-thick slices sourdough bread
1 tsp. finely chopped fresh oregano
1/2 tsp. smoked sweet paprika
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, trimmed
3 Tbs. red wine vinegar
1 anchovy fillet, rinsed
1 small clove garlic
4 medium tomatoes, cut into 3/4 inch pieces (3 cups)
1 medium cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and cut into 3/4 inch pieces (1-1/2 cups)
1/2 small red onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1/4 cup chopped fresh mixed herbs,such as basil, parsley, cilantro, or mint

Tip: For balanced texture, be sure to slice the tomatoes, cucumbers, chicken, and bread about the same size.

Preparation

Prepare a medium-high charcoal or gas grill fire. Clean and oil the grill grate.

Brush the bread on both sides with 2 Tbs. of the olive oil. Grill the bread until well marked, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to a cutting board, cut into 3/4-inch cubes, and set aside.

In a small bowl, mix the oregano, smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Sprinkle evenly over the chicken breasts. Grill, turning once, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of each breast registers 165°F, 10 to 12 minutes total. Transfer to a cutting board, let rest for 5 minutes, and then cut into 3/4-inch cubes.

In a large bowl, whisk the remaining 6 Tbs. olive oil and the vinegar. Press the anchovy fillet and garlic clove through a garlic press into the bowl (or mince by hand). Add the bread, chicken, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and herbs, and toss well. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve

A fool is a simple dessert made with puréed fruit and sweetened whipped cream. Here, a chipotle chile adds a subtle spicy note that enhances the sweetness of the berries.

Blackberry Fool

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups fresh blackberries
1 chipotle chile (from a can of chipotles in adobo sauce), stemmed
3 Tbs. light brown sugar
1 tsp. fresh lime juice
1 cup heavy cream
1-1/2 Tbs. confectioners’ sugar
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Preparation

Set a medium-mesh sieve over a medium bowl. Use the back of a wooden spoon to push 1 cup of the blackberries and the chipotle through the sieve, smearing the berries and chile back and forth across the mesh until only seeds and pulp remain. Scrape any purée from the bottom of the sieve. Stir the brown sugar and lime juice into the purée.

In a chilled medium metal bowl, combine the cream, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla and beat with an electric hand mixer on high speed until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes.

Pour the blackberry mixture over the cream. Use a butter knife to gently stir the mixture so that thin streaks of dark purple run through the cream.

Spoon the mixture into 4 glasses or small dessert bowls and top with the remaining blackberries.

Have A Great Week My Friends,

Phil