Poussins Champenoise -

Poussins Champenoise

This delicious dinner party dish is made with inexpensive sparkling wine and garnished with grapes.

Ingredients

4 poussins
75 g (3 oz) butter
300 ml (½ pint) dry sparkling white wine
1 chicken stock cube
250 g (8 oz) seedless grapes
2 tablespoons plain flour
Salt and pepper to taste

Details

Serves: 4

Method

Season the poussins inside and out with salt and pepper and put a knob of butter inside each body cavity.

Heat a browning skillet on HIGH for 8 minutes. Add 25 g (1 oz) of the remaining butter to the skillet and microwave on HIGH for 1 minute.

Place the poussins, breasts down, on the skillet and cook on HIGH for 2 minutes. Turn the birds over and cook for 2 minutes.

Transfer the poussins to a large casserole, pour over the wine and add the stock cube. Cover and cook on HIGH for 15 minutes.

Add the grapes and cook on HIGH for 5 minutes.

Remove the poussins with a slotted spoon and discard any trussing string. Place on a warmed serving dish.

Remove the grapes with a slotted spoon and arrange around the poussins. Cover with foil to keep warm.

Blend the remaining butter with the flour, whisk into the cooking liquid and cook on HIGH for 6 minutes, stirring twice, until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.

Pour a little sauce over the poussins and serve the remaining sauce separately.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Power setting: HIGH
Cooking time: 31 minutes

Related food category:

• Special Occasion