Bistro Chicken

Book excerpt: One hundred fuss-free classic and up-to-the minute recipes for chicken a la francais. French bistro cooking is informal, flavorful, and simple, like the best home cooking. Nothing says bistro cooking louder than a roast or sautéed chicken, but there is much more to this venerable tradition of poultry preparation. Mary Ellen Evans, who studied at the Sorbonne, traveled frequently to France, and today has a house in Provence, has collected the best traditional and innovative recipes for the perfect poulet served in the cafes, bistros, and small family-run restaurants throughout France, from Normandy to the Riviera. These easy, economical dishes are for every part of the chicken from egg to hen, and include appetizers, soups, omelets (for main courses and dessert), patés, sandwiches, pizza, salads, quick dishes, and slow stews and braises. There are the expected–Coq au Vin–and the unexpected–Chicken with Ale–as well as Chicken and Porcini-Filled Crepes, Moroccan Chicken Pie, Chicken Bouillabaisse, Smoked Tea Poached Chicken, Chicken and Garlic Soup, Vietnamese Chicken and Rice Noodle Salad, and much, much more. Tips (French trucs) on everything from practically instant marinades to the fastest way to pit an olive make preparation a breeze. The secrets to flawless sautéing, simmering, stewing, and grilling as well as the ultimate Roast Chicken are revealed as well. Full of the robust character of French cuisine, Bistro Chicken takes the humble bird to a stylish level of sophistication and great taste.