Chicken Bonne Femme Julia Child Recipes

CHICKEN BONNE FEMME (JULIA CHILD)

Steps:

• To make the herb bouquet: tie the parsley, bay leaf and thyme together in washed cheesecloth.
• Remove the rind and cut the bacon into strips 1/2 inch wide and 1 1/2 inches long.
• In 2 quarts water, simmer the bacon for 10 minutes. Rinse in cold water and dry.
• In a fireproof casserole, saute the bacon for 2 to 3 minutes in 1 tablespoon of the butter until lightly browned. Transfer to a dish.
• Brown the chicken in the hot fat, breast side down. Brown for 2 minutes, regulating heat so the butter is always very hot but not burning.
• Turn the chicken on another side using 2 wooden spoons or a towel. Continue browning and turning the chicken until it is a nice golden color almost all over, particularly on the breast and legs. This will take 10 to 15 minutes. Add more oil, if necessary, to keep the bottom of the casserole filmed.
• Remove the chicken from the pan. Pour the fat out of the casserole. Set the oven at 325 degrees (F.).
• Drop the onions into boiling, salted water and boil slowly for 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Peel the potatoes and trim them into uniform ovals about 2 inches long and 1 inch in diameter. Cover with cold water and bring to a boil. Drain immediately.
• In the casserole, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons butter until foaming. Add the potatoes and roll them around over moderate heat for 2 minutes to evaporate their moisture; this will prevent their sticking to the casserole. Spread them in the pan.
• Salt the chicken and place it breast up in the casserole.
• Place the bacon and onions on the potatoes and add the herb bouquet.
• Baste all the ingredients with the butter in the casserole.
• Lay a piece of aluminum foil over the chicken, and cover the casserole.
• Heat the casserole on top of the stove until the contents are sizzling. Transfer to the oven and roast for 1 hour and 10 to 20 minutes or until the chicken leg registers 180 degrees (F.) on an instant-read thermometer.
• Baste once or twice with the juices in the pan.

CHICKEN BONNE FEMME

Steps:

• Pat chicken dry with paper towels & season with salt & pepper. Cook bacon in dutch oven over medium heat until crisp, 5-7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towel-lined plate. Pour off all but 1 tbs fat from pot. Heat fat over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add chicken & cook until thighs are well browned, 3-4 minutes per side; transfer to plate. When chicken is cool enough to handle, discard skin.
• Pour off all but 1-1/2 tbs fat from pot. Arrange potatoes cut side down in pot & cook over medium heat until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Stir in onion & cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic & thyme; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Store in wine, broth, hot sauce, & half of bacon; bring to a boil.
• Return chicken & and juices to pot. Reduce heat to medium-low & cook, covered, until potatoes are tender & chicken registers 175 on thermometer, about 25 minutes. Sprinkle with scallions, parsley, & rest of bacon. Season with salt & pepper to taste and serve.