Rick Steins Chicken Fricassée With Morels Food

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.

CHICKEN FRICASSEE WITH MORELS AND VIN JAUNE

Steps:

• Prepare the morels: Place the morels in a colander and rinse well under cold running water to rid them of any grit. Transfer them to a heatproof measuring cup. Pour boiling water over the mushrooms to cover. Set aside for 20 minutes to plump them up. Then, using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the mushrooms from the liquid, leaving behind any grit that may have fallen to the bottom. If any of the morels are extremely large, halve them lengthwise.
• Liberally season the chicken pieces on all sides with sea salt and white pepper.
• In a deep 12-inch skillet, combine the oil and 4 tablespoons of the butter. Place over moderate heat. When the fats are hot but not smoking, add the chicken, skin side down, and brown until it turns an even golden color, about 5 minutes more. Carefully regulate the heat to avoid scorching the skin. (This may have to be done in batches.) When all the pieces are browned, use tongs (to avoid piercing the meat) to transfer them to a platter. Season again with sea salt and white pepper.
• Pour off and discard the fat in the skillet. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, the shallots, and the garlic. Cook, covered, over low heat, until soft but not browned, about 3 minutes. Add the wine and boil, uncovered, over high heat for 5 minutes to burn off the alcohol, which could make the sauce bitter. Add the cream and the morels, and stir to blend. Return the chicken and any juices that have accumulated to the skillet. Cover, and cook over low heat, turning the pieces in the sauce once or twice, until the chicken is cooked through and has thoroughly absorbed the sauce, about 20 minutes. Taste for seasoning and serve.