Stuffed Chicken Legs in Puff Pastry with Andouille Cream (Emeril Lagasse) Recipe

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper.
2. Spread the meat of the chicken legs open and sprinkle the inside of each with 1/4 teaspoon of the Essence. Sprinkle the outside of each leg with another 1/4 teaspoon Essence, and use your hands to coat thoroughly.
3. Divide the Andouille Cornbread Stuffing into 4 equal portions. Stuff the cavity of each leg with 1 portion of the stuffing and close the skin around it. Use kitchen twine to tie the tops of the legs closed. Season the outsides of the chicken legs with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
4. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken legs, in batches if needed, and sear until well browned on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side. (If searing chicken in batches, wipe the skillet clean before searing the second batch.) Remove the chicken legs from the skillet, place on a baking sheet, and refrigerate until completely cooled.
5. Place each pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface and roll out to 1/8-inch thick. Cut each sheet into a 9-inch triangle. Place one leg on each piece with the joint hanging over the edge. Brush the edges with the egg wash and fold the ends over to create a wrapper. Pinch the edges together to seal and place, seam side down, on the baking sheet.
6. Bake for 35 minutes, remove from the oven and brush with the outsides of each chicken package with the remaining egg wash. Return the chicken to the oven and bake an additional 10 minutes, or until the crust is brown and the chicken is tender.
7. While the chicken is baking, prepare the Andouille Cream and cover and keep warm until ready to serve.
8. To serve, spoon 1/2 cup of the Andouille Cream onto each of 4 dinner plates, and place a baked chicken leg on each.
9. Andouille Corn Bread Stuffing:
10. 1 teaspoon olive oil
11. 4 ounces chopped andouille sausage
12. 1/4 cup chopped onions
13. 1/4 cup chopped green onions
14. 2 tablespoons chopped celery
15. 2 tablespoons chopped green bell peppers
16. 1 tablespoon minced garlic
17. 1 teaspoon Essence, recipe follows
18. 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
19. 3 turns freshly ground black pepper
20. 1 cup coarsely crumbled Jalapeno Corn Muffins, recipe follows
21. 1/2 cup chicken stock
22. Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the andouille and cook until rendered and brown, about 3 minutes. Add the onions and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Stir in the green onions, celery, and bell peppers and cook, stirring for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute.
23. Stir in the Essence, salt, pepper, corn muffin crumbles, and stock and cook, stirring and shaking the skillet, for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. Serve with the Stuffed Chicken Legs.
24. Yield: 1 1/2 cups
25. Andouille Cream:
26. 1 teaspoon olive oil
27. 2 ounces chopped andouille sausage, casings removed
28. 3 tablespoons peeled and chopped Italian plum tomatoes
29. 3 tablespoons chopped green onions
30. 2 tablespoons chopped onions
31. 1 tablespoon minced garlic
32. 1/2 cup chicken stock
33. 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
34. 2 teaspoons Essence, recipe follows
35. 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
36. Heat the oil in a saucepan over high heat. Add the andouille and saute, breaking up the sausage with the side of a spoon, for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, green onions and onions, and garlic and stir-fry for 1 minute.
37. Stir in the stock and deglaze the bottom of the pot. Add the cream, Essence, and salt, and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 to 35 minutes or until reduced and slightly thickened. Remove from the heat. Serve immediately or store, refrigerated, in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in a saucepan over low heat.
38. Yield: about 1 1/2 cups
39. Jalapeno Corn Muffins:
40. 1/2 tablespoon butter, softened
41. 1 egg
42. 1/2 cup buttermilk
43. 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
44. 1 1/2 tablespoons seeded and minced jalapeno peppers
45. 1/2 cup fresh (or frozen, thawed) corn kernels
46. 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
47. 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
48. 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
49. 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
50. Pinch cayenne pepper
51. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease 6 muffin cups in a standard-sized muffin pan with the softened butter.
52. In a large bowl, whisk the egg with the buttermilk, oil, jalapenos, and corn. Stir in the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and cayenne, being careful not to overmix. Divide the batter between the prepared muffin cups.
53. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Remove from the pan and serve hot or cool on wire cooling racks and use for Andouille Cornbread Stuffing.
54. Yield: 6 muffins
55. Emeril’s Creole Seasoning (Essence):
56. 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
57. 2 tablespoons salt
58. 2 tablespoons garlic powder
59. 1 tablespoon black pepper
60. 1 tablespoon onion powder
61. 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
62. 1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
63. 1 tablespoon dried thyme
64. Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
65. Yield: about 2/3 cup
66. Recipe from New New Orleans Cooking by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, Published by William and Morrow, 1993.