Chicken In A Pot With Leeks Spring Onions And Turnips Recipes

LEEKY CHICKEN SOUP

Steps:

• Trim the tough tops and root ends, of the leeks, cut them, lengthwise, in half, then slice them into 1/2-inch thick pieces. Fill a large bowl or sink with water, add the leeks, and separate the slices to let the grit fall away. Remove the leeks with a skimmer and dry them in a salad spinner or on a clean kitchen towel.
• Put the chicken and bay leaf in a small pan and add water almost to cover. Put the pan over high heat, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, and poach the chicken until cooked through, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the leeks and garlic, season with salt and pepper, to taste, then stir, cover, and cook for 7 to 8 minutes. Add the wine and cook out for 1 minute, then add the stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer. Remove the chicken from the poaching liquid and dice, then stir it into the stock. Strain the poaching liquid and add it to the soup. Add the egg pasta, thyme, and lemon zest. Cook at a low boil until the pasta is tender. Stir in the parsley and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Ladle the soup into serving bowls.
• Spread the crusty bread slices with soft cheese and serve with the soup.

CHICKEN IN A POT WITH LEEKS, SPRING ONIONS, AND TURNIPS

Steps:

• Over medium- high heat, heat the butter or oil in a large Dutch oven or casserole that can be covered later on.
• When the butter is melted or the oil is hot, place the chicken in the pot breast side down.
• Brown the chicken without burning- about 5 to 10 minutes. Turn on each of it's sides and brown some more, ending with the breast side up.
• On medium heat, add the herb, vegetables, salt and pepper, and stock or water.
• Simmer, covered over low heat, making sure the vegetables don't dry out. Water may be added if needed.
• Cook 30 to 45 minutes ( or until a thermometer measures at least 155 to 165 degrees F. Place on platter.
• If using, add the cream and boil liquid until saucy (this may happen immediately or as long as 10 minutes or so).
• Carve the chicken, place vegetables around it. Place sauce, if using, in a separate dish.

SKILLET CHICKEN WITH LEEKS AND CARROTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F. Pat chicken dry; season generously with salt and pepper. Heat a large, heavy ovenproof skillet (such as cast iron) over medium-high. Add butter and 1 tablespoon oil. When butter melts and foam subsides, add chicken, skin-sides down. Cook, undisturbed, until skin lifts easily from skillet and forms a golden-brown crust, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate, skin-sides up.
• Add leeks, carrots, bread cubes, garlic, lemon zest, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil to skillet, stirring to evenly coat; season with salt and pepper. Return chicken and any accumulated juices to skillet, arranging breasts on top of vegetables in a single layer, skin-sides up.
• Roast until a thermometer inserted into thickest part of breasts reads 160°F, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate and loosely cover to keep warm. Stir mint into skillet; return to oven. Roast until vegetables are tender and golden and bread turns crisp, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice into vegetable mixture and sprinkle with more mint leaves. Drizzle remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice over rested chicken. Carve chicken; serve with vegetable mixture.