Poulet au vinaigre a l'estragon

6 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
1pack(10-ounce) fresh pearl onions (about 2 1/2 cups); blanched in boiling water for 1 minute, drained, and peeled
2tablespoonsVegetable oil
1tablespoonUnsalted butter
poundsChicken pieces
1cupTarragon white-wine vinegar
½cupDry white wine
cupChicken broth
1cupChopped and drained canned whole tomatoes
2tablespoonsFinely chopped fresh tarragon or 1 teaspoon dried; crumbled, plus, if desired, fresh tarragon sprigs for garnish
4teaspoonsArrowroot or 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch; either dissolved in 2 tablespoons cold water

Directions

In a saucepan of boiling salted water boil the onions for 10 minutes, or until they are just tender, and drain them well. In a heavy kettle heat the oil and the butter over moderately high heat until the mixture is hot but not smoking and in the fat brown well the chicken, patted dry and seasoned with salt and pepper, in batches, transferring it as it is browned with tongs to a platter. Pour the fat from the kettle, add the onions, and sauté them, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the vinegar and the wine and boil the liquid, scraping up the brown bits, until it is reduced by half. Add the broth, the tomatoes, the dried tarragon, if using, and the chicken, bring the mixture to a boil, and simmer it, covered, for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. The chicken may be prepared up to this point 1 day in advance: Let the mixture cool, uncovered, and chill it, covered. Reheat the mixture before proceeding.

Transfer the chicken and the onions with a slotted spoon to a heated platter and keep them warm, covered with foil. Stir the arrowroot or cornstarch mixture, add it to the simmering cooking liquid with half the chopped fresh tarragon, if using, and simmer the sauce, stirring, for 1 minute. Spoon the sauce over the chicken, sprinkle the chicken with the remaining chopped fresh tarragon, if using, and garnish it with the tarragon sprigs.

Serves 6.

Gourmet May 1991

Recipe by: Gourmet, May, 1991

Posted to MC-Recipe Digest by "gswindell@..." <gswindell@...> on Apr 15, 1998