Chicken with Champagne Sauce (Poulet Zaza)

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Sprinkle the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Dredge the pieces in flour and shake off excess.

2. Step 2

   Cut each carrot into 2-inch lengths. Cut each length into ⅛ inch-thick slices. Stack the slices and cut them into⅛ inch thick slivers (julienne). There should be about one and a half cups. Set aside.

3. Step 3

   Cut the green beans and celery into 2-inch lengths. Cut each length into julienne slivers. There should be about a cup of green beans and slightly less than a cup of celery. Set aside.

4. Step 4

   Heat the butter and oil in a heavy skillet large enough to accommodate the chicken in one layer. When the fat is quite hot add the chicken pieces, skin side down, and cook about three minutes over moderately low heat. Turn and cook the second side about two minutes. Remove the pieces to a serving dish. Pour off all but one tablespoon of the fat. Add the shallots and cook briefly, stirring.

5. Step 5

   Return the chicken pieces to the skillet and add the champagne. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Partly cover and let simmer about 15 minutes.

6. Step 6

   Have ready a basin of ice water to add the vegetables to when they are cooked.

7. Step 7

   Meanwhile, bring a large quantity of water to a boil. Put the carrots in a sieve and add them in the sieve into the boiling water. Let cook about two and a half minutes. Remove them in the sieve and add them to the ice water. Drain.

8. Step 8

   Repeat with the celery, letting it cook about one and a half minutes. Chill and drain.

9. Step 9

   Repeat with the green beans, letting them cook about two minutes. Chill and drain.

10. Step 10

    Remove the chicken pieces to a warm serving dish. Cover closely with foil.

11. Step 11

    Cook the sauce down over high heat until reduced to about three-quarters of a cup. Add the cream and bring to a simmer.

12. Step 12

    Combine the egg yolks and water in a heavy saucepan. Place the pan on a heatproof pad such as a double metal Flame Tamer and heat the yolk mixture until tripled in volume and thickened like a foamy, rich custard or sabayon. Do not overcook or the yolks will scramble. The cooking without boiling should take about 10 minutes.

13. Step 13

    Add the vegetables to the cream sauce. Pour the sauce over the chicken and serve.