Chicken Marengo - Emointhekitchen

emointhekitchen

Chicken Marengo is a dish steeped in history and romance. It celebrates not only culinary flavours but also the legacy of a legendary military leader, Napoleon Bonaparte. This dish, named after the Battle of Marengo on June 14, 1800, is a testament to the resourcefulness and creativity of Napoleon’s chef, who expertly crafted a meal from limited ingredients amid chaos.

The Legacy of Chicken Marengo

As the popular myth goes, during the heat of battle against the Austrian army, something delayed Napoleon’s supply wagons, leaving his troops in need of nourishment. Then, his chef, François Claude Guignet (often referred to as Dunand), foraged for what he could find nearby in Marengo, Italy. The creative result was a homely yet hearty dish that would quickly become a favourite of the emperor himself, reportedly served to him after each battle.

You will need:

3 tbsp butter
2 tbsp olive oil
3 chicken quarters
250 g small mushrooms (fre Champignon, eng Agaricus, cze Pečárka), sliced
1 shallot, finely chopped
3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 bay leaf
5 sprigs of thyme
125 ml dry white wine
400 g canned tomatoes, sliced
1 ripe tomato, roughly chopped
100 g green olives
100 g black olives
70 g tomato paste
150 ml chicken broth
1 handful chopped parsley curled
1 fried egg
Salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:

In a large wok, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken quarters and brown them on all sides. Add the onion, garlic and thyme and sauté, then add the chicken broth, bay leaf and cook. Stir in the tinned tomatoes, fresh tomatoes, olives and tomato puree. Allow the white wine to reduce slightly. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and simmer the dish for about 40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with a fried egg on top for an authentic touch. Serve with rice or with crusty bread.

Chicken – Property – Sweet, warm; spleen and stomach meridians entered.
Actions – Warm the spleen and stomach, tonify essence and marrow.
Indications – Diarrhoea, oedema, frequent urination, leucorrhea, weakness after illness, diabetes, uterine bleeding, hypokalaemia, poor appetite, and consumptive disease.
Cautions – Do not eat too much

Sporophorum Agarici Campestris; 蘑菇; Mo Gu; Champignon; Pečárka
Property – Sweet, neutral; stomach and liver meridians entered.
Actions – Strengthen the spleen, stimulate the appetite, calm the liver and refresh oneself.
Indications – Indigestion, hypertension, poor appetite, hypogalactia, fatigue.
Cautions – It is contraindicated in case of qi stagnation. Do not take too much.