my waterzoi

When I had waterzoi for the first time at the house of my belgian friend Flo 

who happens to be a fantastic cook , she told me that one can add/subtract

most ingredients , after all it is poached chicken or fish with different

vegetables and herbs served in a thickened broth

 with egg yolk , lemon and cream...

first  immerse a chicken in cold water then bring to the boil.

add one carrot , one parsnip , one onion , one leek ,six 

chopped lemongrass sticks, a tea spoon of chili flakes,coarse salt and simmer for an hour.

let it cool , skin and bone the chicken , keep the vegetables

for a soup , the dog , the chickens , a friend....

If you do this dish a day in advance put the chicken and the broth

in a big bowl in the fridge , the next morning the grease will have 

risen to the surface and you can just scoop it out..

If not strain the broth through a thick cotton cloth 

( I use old sheets teared up..).

nice poached yellow chicken from the south west in France

straining the broth...

always do it in the sink , it's easier to clean !

prepare the chicken

I like to use mini vegetables because they look so pretty

coriander

use always the freshest of farm eggs

The following list is really up to you , feel free to use any vegetables you care for..

turnips , leeks , brussel sprouts , celeriac , potatoes...

I used lemongrass sticks in the broth and coriander leaves to garnish..but you can 

flavour your broth with cloves and bay leaves and scatter parsley or tarragon

on the dish...

INGREDIENTS

serves 6

1. one or two table spoons of butter
2. twelve small carrots
3. twelve small "marows"
4. six small courgettes
5. a handfull of tiny asparagus
6. a big bunch of coriander
7. three egg yolks 
8. juice of two lemons
9. one cup of light cream
10. salt and pepper 
11. broth 
12. poached chicken

saute the vegetables in the butter for about five minutes, add enough broth to cover , simmer for ten minutes add the chicken and keep on very low heat.
mix with a wooden spoon the egg yolks with the lemon , and the cream add slowly a ladle of broth
mix gently and add to the dish.
Do not bring to the boil , reheat gently ,scatter the coriander add some pepper and serve .