On Saturdays, a slug would seem more energetic by comparison. It is both my best and worst trait that I feel no qualm about giving myself a break on the weekend. The good news is that by Sunday, I’m usually much better rested and in the mood to cook a proper Sunday meal. Newly refreshed with the day stretched out before me, Sundays are a great day to try something new.
My inspiration one week was an article on the French classic, Poule au Pot. Its fancy name belies the simplicity of this dish. An entire bird is submerged in a pot surrounded by water, aromatics and vegetables. At the end of an hour and half, you have a meal.
I love the idea of a chicken in a pot. However, in a traditional preparation, the bird is first stuffed, then boiled and, when complete, is intended to be served in two courses. The first is a bowl of broth from the simmering chicken, the second is the chicken alongside the sliced stuffing accompanied by a white sauce, aioli and/or a vinaigrette. I believe there is an elegant simplicity to separating the meal into two courses.
The day was engulfed in a cold, foggy mist and the kids were sulkily re-reading the comics. So when I asked if they wanted to help with dinner, they jumped up ready to join the cause and it turned out to be the perfect dish for family intervention.
The girls practiced chopping under close supervision and Dad pulled out the bird and placed it in the pot. While the chicken was simmering on the stovetop, we stirred together mayonnaise, garlic and a little lemon juice to make an aioli.
For a change of pace, I blitzed together a thick herby vinaigrette to help provide this sedate dish with an acidic punch. We also find ourselves seeking out even the slightest glimpse of green on a cold winter’s night.
The girls set the table with interpretive napkin folds and candles. We sat down in the shimmering light and let the fragrant broth envelope us with the warmth of enjoying something we created as a family.
It is no further effort to separate the meal into two courses and it provided us the time together to slowly savor our meal and each other’s company.
After the last slices of chicken, stuffing and sauces were passed, we sat back in our chairs feeling comfortably full and even warm despite the arctic chill outside. Then we looked around the table and smiled. We admired the relaxed elegance of a Sunday family supper.
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