Canelones de pollo - Chicken cannelloni
Canelones de Pollo Recipe from Uruguay with Masa
Introduction
Canelones de pollo, or Chicken Cannelloni, is a delicious and comforting dish that combines tender chicken, creamy white sauce, and tangy tomato sauce all wrapped up in a pancake. This recipe is sure to impress your family and friends with its rich flavors and satisfying textures.
History
Cannelloni is a traditional Italian dish that consists of pasta tubes filled with various ingredients such as meat, cheese, and vegetables. The dish has been enjoyed in Italy for centuries and has since spread to other parts of the world, each region adding its own unique twist to the recipe. The addition of chicken in this recipe gives it a hearty and protein-packed twist.
Ingredients
--White Sauce
- 0.75 liter of milk
- 2 heaping tablespoons of cornstarch
- 25 g of butter
- nutmeg
How to prepare
- To make the pancakes, combine the flour, eggs, salt, tablespoon of butter, and enough water in a bowl. Mix until you have a batter with a consistency that is neither too liquid nor too thick.
- Heat a pancake pan and add a small amount of butter. Cook the pancakes on both sides until golden brown.
- Set the pancakes aside until ready to use.
- For the filling, boil the chicken breast until tender. Finely chop the cooked chicken. In a saucepan, heat 2 tbsp of oil and sauté the chopped onion. Add the chicken and stir. Sprinkle 2 tbsp of flour over the mixture and mix well. Pour in 0.5 liter of milk and let it thicken until the filling reaches a consistent texture.
- Place the filling on the pancakes and roll them up. Arrange the filled pancakes in a greased baking dish.
- To make the white sauce, heat the milk with butter in a separate saucepan. Dissolve cornstarch in cold milk in a cup, then add it to the hot milk. Cook until the mixture boils, then remove from heat and add nutmeg.
- For the tomato sauce, heat oil in a pan and add peeled and chopped tomatoes. Once it starts boiling, add a teaspoon of sugar and cook until the sauce thickens.
- Pour the white sauce over the cannelloni in the baking dish. Then, add the tomato sauce and sprinkle grated cheese on top. Bake in a preheated oven until the cheese turns golden brown.
Variations
- Substitute the chicken with ground beef or turkey for a different flavor.
- Add spinach or mushrooms to the filling for a vegetarian twist.
- Use store-bought crepes instead of making pancakes from scratch for a quicker version of the dish.
Cooking Tips & Tricks
Make sure to cook the pancakes until they are golden brown on both sides to ensure they hold up well when filled.
- Boil the chicken breast until it is tender to ensure it is easy to shred and mix with the other filling ingredients.
- Be sure to let the white sauce thicken properly before pouring it over the cannelloni to prevent it from becoming too runny during baking.
- Use fresh, ripe tomatoes for the tomato sauce to enhance the flavor and texture of the dish.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Chicken Cannelloni with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete and satisfying meal.
Cooking Techniques
Boiling the chicken breast until tender
- Making a roux for the filling
- Baking the cannelloni until the cheese is golden brown
Ingredient Substitutions
Use gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version of the pancakes.
- Substitute almond milk for dairy milk in the white sauce for a dairy-free option.
- Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a vegetarian version of the dish.
Make Ahead Tips
You can prepare the filling and sauces ahead of time and assemble the cannelloni just before baking to save time.
Presentation Ideas
Serve the Chicken Cannelloni on a platter garnished with fresh herbs such as parsley or basil for a pop of color.
Pairing Recommendations
Pair Chicken Cannelloni with a light and crisp white wine such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until heated through.
Nutrition Information
Calories per serving
Each serving of Chicken Cannelloni contains approximately 350 calories.
Carbohydrates
Each serving of Chicken Cannelloni contains approximately 35 grams of carbohydrates.
Fats
Each serving of Chicken Cannelloni contains approximately 15 grams of fats.
Proteins
Each serving of Chicken Cannelloni contains approximately 20 grams of proteins.
Vitamins and minerals
Chicken Cannelloni is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron.
Alergens
This recipe contains gluten, dairy, and eggs.
Summary
Chicken Cannelloni is a balanced meal that provides a good mix of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats along with essential vitamins and minerals.
Summary
Canelones de pollo is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for a cozy family dinner or a special occasion. With its rich flavors and satisfying textures, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your household.
How did I get this recipe?
The first time I saw this recipe, I was filled with a sense of awe. I had always been a lover of Italian cuisine, but I had never tried making cannelloni before. The thought of creating these delicate pasta rolls filled with succulent chicken and smothered in a rich béchamel sauce seemed like a daunting task. But as I read through the recipe, I could feel a sense of excitement building within me.
The recipe for Canelones de pollo was given to me by my dear friend Maria, who had learned it from her grandmother many years ago. Maria and I had met at a cooking class and had quickly become friends, bonding over our shared love for food and the joy of creating delicious meals for our loved ones.
As Maria handed me the recipe, she explained that making cannelloni was a labor of love. It required patience and precision, but the end result was always worth the effort. She shared with me the secrets of making the perfect filling for the cannelloni – tender shredded chicken, sautéed onions and garlic, a creamy béchamel sauce, and a touch of Parmesan cheese for that extra flavor.
I couldn't wait to try my hand at making Canelones de pollo. I gathered all the ingredients I needed – chicken breasts, lasagna sheets, onions, garlic, milk, flour, butter, and Parmesan cheese. I spent the entire morning preparing the filling, simmering the chicken in a fragrant broth until it was tender and juicy. As I shredded the chicken and mixed it with the sautéed onions and garlic, I could already imagine the delicious flavors melding together in each bite of the cannelloni.
Next, I moved on to making the béchamel sauce. I melted butter in a saucepan, added flour to create a roux, and slowly whisked in warm milk until the sauce was thick and creamy. I seasoned it with a pinch of nutmeg and a generous amount of Parmesan cheese, giving it a rich and velvety texture that would coat the cannelloni perfectly.
With the filling and sauce ready, it was time to assemble the cannelloni. I cooked the lasagna sheets until they were al dente, then carefully spooned the chicken mixture onto each sheet and rolled them up into tight cylinders. I placed the cannelloni in a baking dish, poured the béchamel sauce over the top, and sprinkled it with more Parmesan cheese.
As I slid the dish into the oven, the aroma of the bubbling sauce and melting cheese filled my kitchen, making my mouth water in anticipation. I couldn't wait to taste the fruits of my labor, to savor the flavors of the tender chicken, creamy sauce, and al dente pasta.
After 45 minutes of agonizing wait, the timer dinged, signaling that the cannelloni was ready. I carefully removed the dish from the oven, the golden-brown top glistening with melted cheese. I couldn't resist taking a small bite before serving it to my family, and as the flavors exploded in my mouth, I knew that I had created something truly special.
As my family sat down to dinner that evening, their eyes lit up at the sight of the steaming dish of Canelones de pollo. They eagerly dug into the creamy pasta rolls, savoring each bite and showering me with compliments on my culinary skills. I beamed with pride, knowing that I had successfully mastered the art of making cannelloni and had created a dish that would become a family favorite for years to come.
And so, the recipe for Canelones de pollo became a treasured part of my culinary repertoire, a dish that I would make again and again for special occasions and family gatherings. Each time I prepared it, I would think back to that first time I saw the recipe and felt a sense of awe, knowing that I had learned something new and exciting that would bring joy and satisfaction to those I loved. And as I shared the recipe with others, passing on the tradition of making Canelones de pollo, I knew that it would continue to bring people together and create cherished memories for generations to come.