VERTIGO :- Chicken Maryland

One of, if not the greatest movie ever made Vertico is my favourite film of all time.  Full of suspense and a great storyline it is a great example of Hitchcock at his all time best, all though interestingly a comparative failure at the box office.  During the film the classic Chicken Maryland makes an appearence and in homage of the film here is an interpretation of the meal.

Ingredients  

6 boneless chicken breast halves, cut in half lengthwise

2 cups buttermilk

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 eggs, beaten

1 1/3 cup dry breadcrumbs

6 tablespoons, plus 3 tablespoons butter, divided

Béchamel sauce:

2 1/2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cups milk

1 teaspoon salt

1/8 (dash) teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

3 ripe, firm bananas, peeled and sliced

 

 

How to make it

 

In a large, shallow pan, place the chicken in the buttermilk and marinate it in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 375F. Melt 6 tablespoons of the butter in a large roasting pan. Drain and discard the buttermilk. Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour, then the eggs, and lastly, the breadcrumbs.

Place the chicken breasts in the roasting pan and bake for them 30-40 minutes, turning once.

Whilst the chicken is cooking make the béchamel sauce.  To do this in a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and whisk in the flour until it forms a smooth paste. Continue whisking, cook for about 2 minutes, and then gradually – 1/3 cup at a time - add the milk. Continue whisking and cook until the sauce is completely heated through, smooth, and thickened. Remove from the heat and season with the salt and nutmeg.

To make the banana garnish, melt the remaining butter in a large skillet set over medium heat. Sauté the prepared banana slices in the butter until they turn golden brown.

Assemble the Chicken Maryland by arranging 2 pieces of chicken on a warm plate, drizzling it with a bit of Béchamel sauce, and then garnishing the plate with a few slices of sautéed banana.

See below for a clip of Vertigo