Introduction:
French cuisine is renowned worldwide for its elegance, complexity, and rich flavors. It's a culinary journey that combines passion, tradition, and a commitment to using the finest ingredients. In this blog post, we delve into the heart of French gastronomy, exploring a delightful trio of dishes that capture the essence of this revered culinary tradition: Roasted Chicken with Wine and Mustard Sauce, Salad Verte, and Chocolate Anglaise.
Roasted Chicken with Grain Mustard Wine Sauce Recipe
Ingredients:
For Roasted Chicken:
- 1 whole chicken (about 4-5 pounds)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, halved
For Grain Mustard Wine Sauce:
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons grainy Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes:
- 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- Salt for boiling water
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Roast the Chicken:
1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season it inside and out with salt and pepper.
3. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, minced garlic, and thyme. Rub this mixture all over the chicken.
4. Place the lemon halves inside the chicken cavity.
5. Roast the chicken in the preheated oven for about 1 hour or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
2. Make Grain Mustard Wine Sauce:
1. In a saucepan, combine white wine and chicken broth. Bring it to a simmer over medium heat.
2. Whisk in the grainy Dijon mustard and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes.
3. Remove from heat, stir in butter, and season with salt and pepper.
3. Prepare Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes:
1. Boil the peeled and chopped potatoes in salted water until fork-tender.
2. While the potatoes are boiling, heat the butter in a separate pan over medium heat until it turns golden brown.
3. Drain the potatoes and mash them. Gradually add the browned butter and warm milk while mashing.
4. Season the mashed potatoes with salt and pepper to taste.
Chocolate Anglaise Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces (about 120g) dark chocolate, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. In a saucepan, heat the whole milk and heavy cream over medium heat until it just starts to simmer. Remove the saucepan from heat.
2. Add the finely chopped dark chocolate to the hot milk and cream mixture. Let it sit for a minute to allow the chocolate to melt.
3. Whisk the chocolate and milk mixture until smooth and well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and egg yolks until the mixture becomes pale and slightly thick.
5. Slowly pour a small amount of the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to temper the eggs.
6. Gradually pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining chocolate mixture, whisking continuously.
7. Place the saucepan back on the stove over medium-low heat. Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Be careful not to let it boil.
8. Once the desired consistency is reached, remove the saucepan from heat.
9. Strain the chocolate anglaise through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps.
10. Stir in the vanilla extract.
11. Let the chocolate anglaise cool to room temperature before serving, or refrigerate for a chilled version.
Serve the chocolate anglaise over desserts like cakes, brownies, or ice cream. Enjoy your decadent chocolate sauce!