Pot Au Feu Recipes

Steps:

• In a large, heavy stockpot over medium heat, brown the meat. Add the chicken stock, vegetables, and herbs and bring to a simmer, about 20 to 30 minutes, until the vegetables are fork-tender. Raise the heat if necessary to maintain the simmer.
• Using a slotted spoon, remove the meat to a cutting board. Spoon the vegetables among 4 large shallow bowls. Ladle some broth into each bowl. Slice the meat into 8 slices and spoon 2 slices into each bowl.

Steps:

• In an 10 to 12 quart stock pot or soup kettle combine beef with short ribs and cover with stock or water by 4 inches. Bring to a boil over moderate heat; as the stock begins to boil, carefully skim all foam and scum from surface and discard. Reduce heat to low, skim again, then add onions, carrots, tomatoes and bouquet garni. Skim again; cover the pot, leaving the lid ajar and simmer as slowly as possible, skimming on occasion. Cook for 2 to hours or until meat is almost tender. Remove meats. Strain the liquid through a sieve lined with dampened double layer of cheesecloth. Discard seasoning vegetables and bouquet garni; remove surface fat. (If you do this on one day, before you finish the dish, store meat and liquid separately.)
• Transfer stock to a clean pot. Return the meat to the liquid along with the carrots and turnips. Bring the liquid to a boil, season with salt and pepper and simmer for 30 minutes or until carrots, turnips and meats are tender. Meanwhile boil the potatoes separately (when done, leave in water off heat) and steam cabbage wedges separately for 8 minutes or until just tender.
• To serve, degrease the liquid and season with salt and pepper. Remove meat from liquid, discard strings and carve into 1/4-inch slices, remove short rib bones and cut into chunks. Transfer slices of meat, a portion of potatoes, cabbage, carrots, turnips into a deep soup plate. Ladle liquid over the top and garnish with parsley; serve as main course soup.
• Or, serve soup liquid first, garnished with parsley and serve meat, vegetables, potatoes and carrots as a second course, accompanied by 1 or more accompaniments and a good French bread.

Steps:

• Season and brown chicken well in a hot saute pan in 1-ounce canola oil. Brown the carrots, celery, onion, garlic in the remaining oil. Arrange these ingredients tightly in a 4 quart stock pot. Add water so it just covers the ingredients, and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, skim any foam fat or impurities with a ladle as they rise to the surface. After 10 minutes add bay and thyme. Simmer 15 minutes and add the potatoes. Simmer another 20 minutes until potatoes and chicken are just done. Remove vegetables, chicken and potatoes and arrange attractively on a platter. Strain broth.

Steps:

• In a large kettle combine the beef, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, cheesecloth bag, stock, salt and water to cover. Bring to a boil and simmer, partially covered, skimming, for 1 1/2: hours. Add chicken, bring back to boil and simmer, partially covered, skimming, 1 1/2 hours more.
• With tongs or large fork transfer meat and chicken to platter, skim fat from cooking liquid and strain liquid through a sieve into a bowl. Return meat and chicken to kettle and add strained cooking liquid. Bring liquid back to a boil and add bundles of vegetables, carrots, leeks and celery. Simmer, partially covered, 10 minutes. Add turnips and sausage, and simmer, partially covered, for 25 minutes, or until vegetables and meat are tender.
• Arrange meat and vegetables on platter. Serve soup in bowls and allow guests to choose meat and vegetables of their choice. Serve with accompaniments, if desired.
• Recommended Wine: 1994 Cotes du Rhone Domaine Gramenon

Steps:

• Crock Pot:.
• Combine all ingredients with the beef stock and cook on low 8 to 10 hours. Taste and adjust seasonings. Put the beef on platter and surround with the vegetables. Keep warm. Strain broth, skimming off fat, and add the flour - mix well and heat up gently until thickened. Serve separately in a gravy boat. Slice meat and serve accompanied with pickles and horseradish, French bread and butter.
• Traditional:.
• Brown meat in frying pan, adding salt and pepper. Sprinkle a little flour over the meat while turning over. Place meat into oven proof casserole dish or le Creuset.
• Briefly fry bacon, onions & garlic. Add the carrots and then the leeks and beef stock. Bring to the boil. Put everything into a large le Creuset or casserole dish, adding the turnips and potatoes last.
• Cook at low temperature (150C/300F) for about 5 hours or until the meat falls of the bone.
• Slice meat and serve accompanied with pickles and horseradish, French bread and butter. Serve the thickened jus in a gravy boat.
• Notes:.
• Depending on the meat being used, a Pot au Feu can be very rich. If you would like a leaner version, prepare it the day before and allow to cook overnight. Once cooled the fat will rise to the surface and it can be skimmed off. The dish can then be re-warmed.
• For a Pot au Feu with a Mediterranean flavour, modify the recipe by reducing the amount of meat, increasing the amount of vegetables and adding more herbs.

Steps:

• Bring a stockpot of water to a boil over high heat. Add lobsters, cover, and cook 3 minutes; drain. Hold lobsters with a towel and twist off tails and claws. Remove meat from tails and claws; refrigerate. Reserve lobster shells and bodies.
• Cut 1 leek into 1/4 inch dice; let stand in a bowl of water for 5 minutes. Lift out of water; drain. Chop 1 carrot, celery, half the fennel, and 1 clove garlic into 1/4 inch dice.
• Heat 1 teaspoon butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped leek, onion, carrot, celery, fennel, garlic, fennel seeds, 6 sprigs thyme, and tarragon; cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft and aromatic, 3 to 4 minutes. Add lobster shells and bodies; cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add wine, bay leaf, tomatoes, parsley, and 8 cups water. Raise heat to high; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low; simmer until very flavorful, 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, halve remaining leek and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Place in a bowl of water for 5 minutes; lift out of water and drain. Slice remaining carrots into 1/8-inch-thick matchsticks. Cut remaining fennel into 1/4-inch dice. Using the side of a knife, smash remaining garlic clove; set vegetables aside.
• Remove stock from heat and strain, pressing on solids. Discard solids.
• Melt remaining 2 teaspoons butter in a large shallow saucepan over medium heat. Add sliced leeks, carrots, fennel, garlic, remaining 2 sprigs of thyme, salt, and pepper; cook until tender, about 7 minutes. Add stock; raise heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low; simmer for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, slice lobster-tail meat into medallions but leave claw meat whole; set aside. Add scallops and halibut to stock; adjust heat to maintain bare simmer and poach for about 1 minute. Add lobster meat, adjust heat again, and poach until fish is opaque and lobster is cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Discard garlic clove and thyme sprigs. Stir in watercress and sauternes, if using. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Arrange veal bones in a heavy-bottomed roasting pan. Place in oven and roast, turning occasionally, until light golden brown, about 1 hour.
• Transfer veal bones to a 20-quart stockpot. Tie up each short rib with kitchen string. Add short ribs, brisket, and enough cold water to cover the meats (about 6 1/2 quarts). Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium, and skim off any fat and scum that form on the surface. Simmer for 30 minutes, skimming as necessary.
• Trim dark-green tops from leeks, and reserve them. Cut leek bottoms in half lengthwise, and place in a bowl of cold water. Soak for 10 minutes to rid them of sand. Lift out, drain, and set aside. Add onions, 2 medium carrots, half the leeks, and 1 tablespoon salt to the stockpot. Wrap thyme, garlic, white and black peppercorns, cloves, parsley stems, and bay leaves in cheesecloth, tie with kitchen string, and add to stockpot along with 1 quart water. Return to a boil, reduce heat to medium low, and let simmer. After 1 hour and 15 minutes, turn on oven to 425 degrees. and preheat for 15 minutes.
• Prepare chicken: rinse it inside and out, pat dry, tie the legs together with kitchen string, and tuck wing tips underneath body. Place in a roasting pan, and roast until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Transfer to the simmering stockpot, and add water to cover (about 3 quarts). Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 45 minutes (the stock should simmer a total of 2 hours and 45 minutes), skimming the surface as necessary. If the chicken cannot be completely immersed in the water, turn it after 20 minutes to ensure even cooking.
• Remove stockpot from heat. Remove the meat and chicken from the stockpot; set meats aside. Strain the broth into a large bowl through a cheesecloth-lined sieve, and discard solids. Let meat and broth cool, and refrigerate them overnight.
• Continue the preparation the next day. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Rub salt on cut sides of marrow bones. Rinse the reserved leek tops in cold water, and cut into 20 strips, 1/2 inch by 9 inches. Crisscross 2 strips of leek tops over each marrow bone, and bind with kitchen string. Place marrow bones in a small roasting pan, and add just enough cold water to cover (about 1 1/2 cups). Cover roasting pan with aluminum foil, and bake until marrow is opaque, about 1 hour. Remove from oven, keep covered, and set aside.
• Meanwhile, remove broth from refrigerator, and skim off any fat that has solidified on the surface. Return the broth to the 20-quart stockpot, and bring to a boil. Add remaining leeks, and cook over medium-high heat for 25 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Add brisket, short ribs, chicken (cut in half), celery hearts, baby carrots, and potatoes, and cook until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add haricots verts, and cook until tender but still slightly crunchy, about 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon, and set aside in a medium bowl; cover with aluminum foil. To the same water, add cabbage, and cook over medium-high heat for about 15 minutes. Add turnips and cook until both are tender, about 15 more minutes. Drain, cut each cabbage wedge in half, and set aside in a large bowl; cover with aluminum foil to keep warm.
• Slice baguette diagonally into 1/2-inch slices, and toast on a baking sheet in the heated oven until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
• When all the vegetables are tender and the meats and chicken are warmed through, remove meats and chicken from broth. Prepare the meats and potatoes for serving (and keep them, covered, in a warm oven while you complete the process): slice the brisket into 1/4-inch slices. Remove bones from chicken breast; cut each half into three pieces, and cut legs from thighs. Untie short ribs, remove gristle, and cut each piece in half. Cut potatoes into 1/4-inch slices. Adjust the seasoning of the broth with salt and pepper to taste. Divide meats, chicken, marrow bones, vegetables, and broth among eight serving bowls. Serve immediately with toasted bread, mustard, olives, cornichons, horseradish, and salt. Strain any remaining broth through a fine-mesh strainer, and freeze for future use.

Steps:

• Cut the leeks or portion of leek into one-and-a-half-inch lengths. Cut each piece lengthwise into quarters. Rinse well and set aside.
• Cut away and discard the core of the cabbage wedge. Cut the leaves into one-inch pieces. There should be about one and a half cups. Set aside.
• Prepare the carrots and onions and set aside.
• Put the leek, cabbage, carrots and onions in a kettle and add cold water to cover. Add salt to taste and bring to the boil. Simmer five minutes, then drain.
• Bring the fish broth to the boil and add the vegetables. Stir in the turmeric, pepper flakes, salt and pepper to taste. Simmer 10 minutes. If desired, at this point the base may be cooled and refrigerated overnight or until ready to serve.
• Meanwhile, if monkfish is used, trim away and discard any darker flesh portions of the fish. Cut the white-fleshed fish into one-inch cubes. There should be about one and a half cups. Set aside.
• Cut the salmon into one-inch cubes. There should be about one and a third cups. Set aside.
• Pull away and discard the beard of each mussel. Scrub the mussels well and drain. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, peel the tomatoes and cut them into quarters. Remove and discard the seeds. Cut the quarters into one-inch pieces. There should be about one and a half cups. Set aside.
• When ready to cook, bring the fish base to the boil and add the white-fleshed fish pieces. Cook about three minutes and add the salmon, mussels and tomatoes. Cook about one minute. Add the shrimp and dill, then stir. Cook two minutes. If desired, serve the soup with garlic mayonnaise on the side or spoon a small amount on top of each serving of soup.

Steps:

• Cook meats:
• Preheat convection oven to 425°F or regular oven to 450°F with rack in middle.
• Pat meats dry, then rub with 2 1/2 teaspoons salt (total) and arrange in 1 layer in a large shallow baking pan with quartered onions and halved carrots. Roast, turning occasionally, until meats and vegetables are well browned, 35 to 45 minutes in convection oven; 45 minutes to 1 hour in regular oven.
• Transfer meats and vegetables to pot with any juices from pan. Deglaze pan with a little water, scraping up brown bits, then add to pot with water (6 quarts) and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer, skimming foam and fat from surface.
• Tie celery, parsley, thyme, bay leaves, peppercorns, and clove in a cheesecloth bundle and add to pot.
• Cut off dark green part from leeks, reserving remainder, and wash . Fold greens and tie in 2 bunches, then add to pot. Gently simmer, uncovered, skimming as necessary, until meats are very tender, about 3 hours.
• Prepare leeks and onions while meats simmer:
• Trim roots from leeks, keeping ends intact, then, starting 1 1/2 inches from root end, slit each leek lengthwise and wash between layers. Tie leeks together in 2 bunches, tying each bunch in 2 places.
• Blanch boiling onions in a medium pot of boiling water 1 minute, then drain and peel.
• Cook meats:
• Preheat oven to 200°F with rack in lower third.
• Transfer meats to a shallow baking pan, discarding bones from short ribs, and keep warm, covered with foil, in oven. Discard cheesecloth bundle, leek greens, and cooked onions and carrots from broth, then skim off fat from broth with a skimmer or large spoon and keep broth warm over low heat.
• Arrange marrowbones (if using) upright in 1 layer in a medium saucepan and add enough broth from pot (about 1 quart) to cover bones. Add 1 teaspoon salt and simmer gently, uncovered, until marrow is soft, 15 to 20 minutes.
• While marrowbones cook, simmer boiling onions and leeks with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in remaining broth in large pot, uncovered, 15 minutes.
• Add small carrots and turnips and simmer, uncovered, until all vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.
• Serve pot-au-feu:
• Transfer marrowbones with tongs to a platter (discard liquid) and serve with baguette slices and coarse salt.
• Discard bone from chuck roast and slice chuck 1/2 inch thick, then arrange, along with meat from short ribs, on a large platter.
• Transfer vegetables to platter with a slotted spoon and cut string off leeks.
• Season broth with salt and pepper, then spoon some over meats and vegetables to moisten and serve remainder in a soup tureen.
• To eat, ladle broth over meats and vegetables in soup plates, then stir in horseradish and mustard to taste.