When the discussion revolves around meat in Italy, it usually involves pork or beef. Considering the large variety of cured and cooked pork products from Italy, that’s not a big surprise. Meat means carpaccio, bistecca all fiorentina or porchetta. Italians love the combination of ground beef, veal and pork for meatballs or ragu. In a popularity contest, chicken, along with other poultry, is usually in third place. However, domesticated chickens have been around Italy since the 5th century BC, probably arriving from Greece or Egypt, but originating in Southeast Asia. All domestic chickens are descended from the Red Junglefowl, which still thrives today in SE Asia..

In the beginning, most chickens were used for fighting contests, but eventually their eggs and meat became more important. In Southern Italy, poverty dictated that meat, even chicken, was a special occasion meal. One of the more popular chicken dishes in Italy comes from the feast day for San Gerardo, the patron saint of Potenza in Basilicata. Now, Pollo alla Potentina is served throughout the country and at any time of year. You can find the recipe online for Potenza-style chicken which is braised with wine, and herbs.

Many of the popular breeds of chicken currently raised in the US by small growers originated in Italy, including Leghorn (Livorno), Ancona, Padovana (very showy plumage) and Siciliana (which probably came from North Africa and does well in warm climates, but not in cold climates).

Chef Cory adding BBQ sauce to this week’s Prep Kitchen Meal, Smoked BBQ Chicken

A popular dish in Umbria is Chicken Cacciatora. Cacciatora translates to hunter’s style, which is a braise, usually with onions, celery, carrot, garlic, tomatoes and white wine. Pollo al Mattone (Chicken Under a Brick) is a spatchcocked (backbone removed, bird is opened and flattened) that is common in Tuscany. This is a great way to cook a whole chicken on the grill. In Rome, you’ll find Chicken all Diavola, which is marinated in lemon and peppercorns for 24 hours then grilled.

You can find two Chicken dishes at all three M’tucci’s locations: Chipotle Chicken Pasta (Mexico meets Italy) and the Pollo alla Milanese, which features our house made burrata. One of my favorites is the chef-created Italian Fried Chicken at M’tucci’s Moderno: a crispy lemon herb crusted dark meat confit with truffle french fries (shown below left).

M’tucci’s @ Home Prep Kitchen Meals

We apologize if some of you missed out on the Prep Kitchen Meal last week. We sold out of them at all locations by Saturday. Don’t let that happen to you this week. Below is a video with instructions for this weeks meal. We produce one for every M’tucci’s @ Home Prep Kitchen meal. Take a look to see how easy it is to finish your meal. This week, Chef Cory has taken advantage of the wood-fired oven at M’tucci’s Italian and has created a Smoked, Whole BBQ Chicken, House Made Campanelle Pasta Salad with Olives, Feta, Pepperoncini and Herbs and 4 Peanut Butter Cookies for only $34.

Weekend Specials

M’tucci’s Italian

M’tucci’s Cajun-Rubbed 8 oz. Filet Mignon - Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Balsamic Reduction $29

Pan-Seared Yellowtail - Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Artichokes, Sautéed Arugula, Lemon Cream Sauce $21

Sunday Only: Full Rack of Baby Back Ribs, Salt Water Potatoes, Sautéed Spinach and House BBQ Sauce for $27

M’tucci’s Moderno

Pan-Seared Rockfish - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Marinated Artichoke Hearts, Sautéed Arugula with Lemon Butter Caper Sauce and Prosciutto Powder $19

Sunday Only: House Made Lasagna with Herbed Ricotta, Five Pork Bolognese and Roasted Tomato Marinara. Single portion for $16 (it’s large) and a double portion with a salad for $30.

M’tucci’s Twenty-Five

Pan-Seared California Halibut, Grilled Escarole, Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Grilled Escarole, Seared Artrichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce and Prosciutto Powder $24

M’tucci’s @ Home

Don’t forget to look for our Artisan Bread and Ravioli Meals at your local Albertsons Market. Also, we also have our Artisan Bread, Shrubs, cheese and cured meats in the deli counters at all M’tucci’s locations.