While the rest of the world is buying charcoal for barbecues, we here in Britain are battening down the hatches, putting on our summer woolens, and donning our widest brimmed sou’westers. We’re also planning Wicker Man type parades and sacrifices to appease the weather gods as well as eating boatloads of stew. Below is my favorite recipe of the moment.
The main flavor is that of tarragon. An herb that to me, seems inherently French. But apparently it’s not. I’ve read and heard from several sources that it was brought to Europe by the Mongols, circa 13-something-or-other. And I hope that’s true because I really love the image of Kublai Khan’s army crossing the Altai with tarragon plants to season their fish and poultry or maybe soothe their upset tummies in between looting and pillaging their way to Central Europe. History is so much more colorful when imagined this way.
Ingredients:
8 chicken thighs
10 rashers of bacon (smoked streaky), cut into pieces
1/2 cup flour
olive oil
2 onions, peeled and quartered
2 garlic cloves, smashed
1 cup dry white wine (or dry sherry for a richer, sweeter sauce)
2 cups chicken stock
1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon heavy cream (double cream)
3 tablespoons creamy dijon mustard
1 container crimini mushrooms
a bunch of tarragon, chopped (just the leaves, no stems. stems are bitter)
salt and pepper to taste
Method:
Dust the chicken with the flour, season with salt and pepper, and brown in a heavy saucepan. Once you have done this, set the chicken aside. Add a drop more oil to the pan and add the bacon, onions, and garlic. Cook over medium-low heat until the onions separate and caramelize. Then add the wine and let the mixture bubble. Reduce until the liquid is half. Now add the chicken stock, mustard, and the previously browned chicken thighs. Simmer with the lid on for about 45 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook for another 20 minutes. Remove the chicken from the stew. Bring your sauce to a bubble and once again reduce. Finally, add the cream and tarragon as well as return the chicken pieces back to the dish. Warm through and serve with nice hearty bread or some new potatoes.
Such a good thing – chicken and tarragon. A flavour combination of which I never tire. Lovely recipe.
Thank you. I look forward to having leftovers at lunch today.
I agree with Roger. Tarragon and chicken were meant for each other. Putting them together in a stew would be wonderful and I bet the aroma filled your kitchen. 🙂
John, it totally did! There was a sweet herbal perfume that hung in the air and lingered until the next morning.
This sounds absolutely divine. Perfect for a typical British summer’s day – 100 denier tights required…
Another summer season where sunscreen is not required.
Ha! You said it.
Oh, goodness, this sounds fabulous. I just finished my breakfast and thanks to you I’m hungry for dinner already! Can totally relate about the weather, by the way. Where I am in Canada we’re experiencing some lovely and charming rain and gale force winds right about now (Not that I’m bitter. Not at all).
Is there anything better than tarragon? I mean seriously. (And this sounds delicious).
Few combinations are better than chicken and tarragon.