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Daily Maverick
25-06-2025
- General
- Daily Maverick
Florentine chicken, an Italian-French culinary hybrid
Chicken breast fillets are cooked with spinach (beloved of old Fiorenze) in a cream sauce, and finished with Parmesan, in this classic dish which belongs in the repertoire of every home kitchen. Florence, or Fiorenze in older times, is the capital city of Tuscany, but Florentine Chicken is a classic French recipe dating to 1553, when Catherine de Medici married Henry II, King of France. In classical cuisines, this is the sort of claim that gets debunked. Wikipedia tells us that 'she [De Medici] supposedly brought a staff of chefs, lots of kitchen equipment and a love of spinach to Paris, and popularised Florentine-style dishes. Food historians have debunked this story, and Italian influence on French cuisine long predates this marriage. Pierre Franey considered this theory apocryphal, but embraced the term Florentine in 1983.' Pierre Franey was a French-born American chef and television personality. I'm not sure this makes him the obvious authority to quote on the subject, but Wikipedia tends to veer towards an American view of food. The term Florentine refers not to chicken or even the cream sauce in this preparation but to a dish made with spinach. Sole Florentine as made by Auguste Escoffier, grandpère of the French kitchen ranking system, is a famed example. The sauce element of a Florentine dish is Mornay, essentially a béchamel (white sauce) to which cheese is added. In my recipe here, it isn't quite a cheese/Mornay sauce but a creamy sauce sprinkled with finely grated Parmesan. Spinach is an important part of the recipe, and this is baby spinach, not Swiss chard which we South Africans usually call spinach. It's milder and, because it's young, softer too. It melds with the creamy sauce. The chicken is cooked twice. First, it is fried gently until it turns golden in places, giving the resulting dish some of its beauty. Second, a cream sauce is made to which the garlic and spinach are added, and finally the cooked chicken pieces are returned to the pan to be warmed through in the sauce. Florentine chicken can be cooked from start to finish in about half an hour, making this a dish to eat on a weeknight or turn out for a dinner party main course. Tony's Florentine chicken (Serves 3-4) Ingredients For frying the chicken breasts: 6 to 8 chicken breast fillets 1 or 2 tsp garlic powder ½ cup flour Salt and black pepper to taste To finish the Chicken Florentine: 2 Tbsp olive oil 3 Tbsp butter 1 cup dry white wine 3 cloves of garlic, peeled, crushed and then finely chopped ½ cup chicken stock 1 tsp dried Italian herbs 1 cup cream Additional salt and black pepper to taste, if needed 2 cups baby spinach, rinsed and dried ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese Method Rinse and pat the chicken breasts dry. Using a sharp knife, place each fillet on its edge on a board and slice through the middle to create two flat pieces of fillet. In a tub, mix the flour, garlic powder, salt and pepper together, using a whisk, to ensure that the seasonings spread throughout the flour. Dredge the chicken pieces in the seasoned flour on both sides. In a large, heavy pan, melt the butter and add the olive oil on a moderately high heat. Fry the chicken breasts in this until nicely browned on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Remove them to a plate. Add the wine and the chopped garlic to the pan and, as it bubbles, scrape the bottom of the pan to take up any flavour that has caught. Add the chicken stock and herbs, bring it to a simmer, and pour in the cream while stirring. Add the spinach and push it under the cream with a spatula. The spinach will wilt into the sauce, creating a balance between the sauce and leaves. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. Add the chicken back to the pan, bring it back to a simmer, and cook gently for 3 or 4 minutes. Sprinkle grated Parmesan on top and serve. I cooked some linguine to go with it, and it was a pleasing match. I liked the way it brought something else Italian to the finished dish. DM
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Discover Two Magical Châteaux in the Valley of France
Wandering through the Loire Valley in France feels like opening a fairytale book where every page reveals a vineyard-laced landscape, charming villages, and regal castles. Among the hundreds of châteaux in this storybook region, two truly steal the show: the awe-inspiring Château de Chambord and the enchanting Château de Chenonceau. Ready to dive into their rich, royal pasts? Approaching Château de Chambord is like walking into a dream. Its dramatic silhouette—marked by over 400 rooms and whimsically twisted turrets—makes it one of the most impressive Renaissance castles in Europe. Originally built by King Francis I in the early 16th century as a hunting lodge (because why not hunt in style?), Chambord oozes prestige and ambition. Rumor has it that none other than Leonardo da Vinci lent his genius to the château's design—especially evident in the central double-helix staircase, which allows two people to ascend or descend at the same time without ever crossing paths. It's as dramatic as it is brilliant, much like the French court itself. Despite its grandeur, Chambord wasn't a full-time royal residence. It served more as a showpiece and a place for lavish but brief stays. Still, its magnificence has left a lasting legacy. Chambord isn't just a symbol of opulence; it's also a hidden hero of World War II. When the threat of Nazi invasion loomed over Europe, art curators raced to protect priceless treasures. The Louvre's most iconic masterpiece—the Mona Lisa—was quietly moved to Chambord for safekeeping. With its secluded location and cavernous rooms, the château became a temporary vault for France's cultural gems. For a brief moment in history, Leonardo's mysterious lady with the smile watched over Chambord from within its mighty stone walls. Now, if Chambord is the symbol of royal flair, then Château de Chenonceau is the epitome of romance and grace. Built across the River Cher, this castle appears to float on the water, its reflection shimmering beneath the stone arches. It's not just picturesque—it's powerful. Often called 'The Ladies' Château,' Chenonceau was shaped, expanded, and ruled by a series of influential women. It began with Diane de Poitiers, the beloved mistress of King Henry II, who added elegant touches like the arched bridge and flourishing gardens. But when Henry passed, his wife, the formidable Catherine de Medici, took back the château and turned it into a grand court residence. She added the impressive gallery that stretches across the river, making Chenonceau the striking vision we see today. Catherine de Medici was more than a queen—she was a woman of science, scent, and a bit of sorcery. Deeply fascinated by the healing and mystical properties of herbs, Catherine had her own apothecary right inside Chenonceau. Here, she blended perfumes, crafted tinctures, and dabbled in what we might call the original wellness movement. Today, visitors can still explore this aromatic little corner of the castle and imagine Catherine herself concocting her herbal remedies and secret elixirs. And while the apothecary is a true gem, I couldn't help but be captivated by a quiet, shadowy room on the château's third floor. There was something hauntingly beautiful about it—the view, the vibe… it just felt like home. From lavish royal banquets to its conversion into a military hospital during World War I, Chenonceau's legacy is woven with stories of resilience, elegance, and feminine strength. It's not just a castle—it's a monument to the women who left their mark on history. If you're torn between the two, here's a quick guide: Château de Chambord is perfect if you want to feel like a king or queen roaming through endless rooms, admiring genius architecture and indulging in dramatic flair. Château de Chenonceau offers a more romantic and intimate experience, rich with stories of powerful women, breathtaking gardens, and a connection to nature and mysticism. Truthfully? See both. They each tell a different side of France's royal history, and together they capture the magic of the Loire Valley. Want an easy way to explore them in one unforgettable day? I highly recommend the Loire Valley Day Tour with City Wonders. The guides are charming, full of fun facts, and make history come alive. It was hands-down my favorite tour in France! With over 700 châteaux in the Loire Valley, narrowing down your must-visits can be overwhelming. But if you want a taste of romance, power, history, and a little magic, Château de Chambord and Château de Chenonceau are your go-to gems. Grab your camera, maybe a croissant or two, and get ready for a day filled with enchantment, elegance, and unforgettable stories.
