I prefer to assume that in my previous life I used to be a provincial French girl. I spent my mornings within the kitchen making bread (consuming bread), and my afternoons sitting within the fields studying Gulliver’s Travels till the solar started to set and I needed to stroll residence by means of the goldfields. Though I notice that this romantic view of provincial life within the eighteenth century isn’t correct, it nonetheless calls to me as if it have been as soon as my actuality. Maybe that is why I am drawn to French delicacies, and nothing screams provincial consolation meals greater than my favourite French dish: hen chésar.
You most likely have not heard of Hen Chesuare, and when you’ve got, you most likely have not heard its origin story. It’s a dish born from a hunter’s caught sport foul which is blended with mushrooms and herbs on his approach residence. He would give these elements to his spouse, and she or he would throw them collectively in a pot with no matter inventory was available, add wine and serve with starch for a hearty meal to finish the day. The title actually interprets to “hen of the hunter”. It is a full physique meal that is good for a chilly fall day.
One such cool fall day discovered itself at our doorstep this previous weekend, so I pulled out my favourite recipe and headed to the grocery retailer to choose up my elements. Sadly, in contrast to the creators of this unique recipe, I haven’t got the luxurious (nor the assets) to go sport fowl searching and pluck my herbs whereas strolling residence, though I’ve seen loads of wild rosemary and thyme bushes throughout Midtown, it would not fairly produce the identical impact as if I have been a Going by means of the sector.
What I like most in regards to the Hen Chaser is that with the Dutch oven, it is a one-pot meal and cleanup is a breeze. In case you’re fortunate sufficient to have any leftovers from this dish, you may discover that the flavors actually get higher over the 2 days. You may additionally discover that this recipe requires brandy as an ingredient, and whereas I perceive that brandy is not a typical spirit that most individuals have available, I might counsel not substituting every other darkish liquor as a result of it would not create the identical taste. Taste I’ve changed with whiskey and bourbon as soon as earlier than and it wasn’t my favourite end result. Wine, nevertheless, is important to each recipes and pairings with meals. You may discover this pink sauce-based dish pairs completely with a dry, crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Sancerre.
You might want them to make this recipe
-
4
ounce
thick reduce
Lean bacon -
2
pound
boneless
Skinless hen thighs - Salt and black pepper
-
1/2
the cup
Finely chopped shallot -
1
kilos
Brown mushroom
to chop -
2
desk spoon
Recent thyme leaves
Take away the stems -
1
Mince a big clove of garlic -
1/4
the cup
* Don’t substitute brandy
Omit if you do not have it -
1
the cup
Dry white wine
Like Sauvignon Blanc -
1
14oz can of San Marzano tomatoes, roughly chopped -
1.5
the cup
Low sodium hen broth -
1
teaspoon
Recent tarragon leaves
to chop -
2
desk spoon
Chilly unsalted butter
-
In your Dutch oven, prepare dinner the bacon over medium warmth till crisp and take away with a slotted spoon, leaving the bacon fats within the bowl.
-
Subsequent, completely salt and pepper your hen thighs and place them within the bacon fats to prepare dinner. About 3-5 minutes on all sides till golden brown. Switch the thighs to the plate.
-
Add the shallots to the Dutch oven and prepare dinner, stirring often, till tender. Add the mushrooms and saute till tender and brown. Add the thyme and garlic and sauté till aromatic, about 1 minute.
-
Add brandy and wine, scraping the perimeters and backside of the pan to loosen and brown bits. Cook dinner till liquid is lowered by half, about 5 minutes.
-
Return the hen and bacon to the skillet and add the tomatoes, tomato juice, and hen broth.
-
Cowl partially and let simmer for half-hour.
-
Take away the hen from the sauce and place in a coated dish whilst you prepare dinner the remaining sauce till it thickens, about 5 minutes.
-
Take away Dutch oven from warmth, and whisk in tarragon, thyme, and chilly butter; The sauce will probably be thick and shiny.
-
Ladle sauce over hen and serve instantly.
I believe it is probably the most comforting meal I’ve ever made. You may need to serve this with the dreamiest, creamy truffled mashed potatoes (click on photograph under for recipe). This dish isn’t for the calorie aware and I actually would not change something about this recipe to make it more healthy. It is a special day, once-in-a-season meal, so go forward and indulge within the energy, you’ve got earned it.
