Rick Steins Chicken Fricassée With Morels Recipes

RICK STEIN'S CHICKEN FRICASSéE WITH MORELS

Steps:

• Soak the morels in the tepid water for about 15 minutes, then drain them in a fine sieve over a bowl. Strain the liquid and reserve 75ml for the sauce. Rinse the morels under cold running water to remove any debris and dry them on kitchen paper. Cut them in half lengthways. Melt half of the butter in a large sauté pan or frying pan. Fry the chicken, skin-side down, for 2-3 minutes until light golden brown, then turn them over and repeat on the other side. Take the chicken out of the pan and set aside. Add the remaining butter to the pan. Fry the shallot over a medium heat until softened, then add the morels and chestnut mushrooms and fry for a few minutes. Add the Noilly Prat or sherry, the morel soaking liquid and chicken stock, bring to the boil, then turn the heat down and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Add the crème fraiche and stir, then put the chicken back in the pan, along with any juices that have seeped out. Cover the pan and cook the chicken over a medium heat for about 8 minutes or until it is cooked through. Season with salt and plenty of black pepper and serve immediately with pilaf rice (page 303 of Rick Stein's Secret France) or potatoes.

CHICKEN FRICASSEE WITH MORELS

Steps:

• Soak morels in 3 cups very hot water for 30 minutes to re-hydrate. Lift them carefully from the hot water in order to leave any grit behind in the liquid. Discard the liquid, and dry the morels lightly with paper towels. Cut morels crosswise into 1/4-inch to 3/8-inch wide slices and set aside. Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Dredge chicken in flour, and shake off excess. Heat half the clarified butter (1/8 cup) in a large saute pan, and cook the chicken over medium heat for about 8 to 10 minutes. Flip the chicken and brown on the second side, 4 to 5 minutes more. Remove to an ovenproof casserole dish. Add the rest of the clarified butter (the other 1/8 cup) to the same saute pan, add the morels and button mushrooms, and cook gently over low heat for 2 minutes. Then add the Madeira and reduce the liquid by half.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• When the liquid is reduced, add the beef stock and heavy cream and bring to a gentle boil. Let the mushroom sauce cook until mixture starts to thicken, about 5 to 10 minutes. Pour the sauce over the chicken and bake covered in the oven until done, about 25 to 35 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh lemon juice and serve.