Spring is a time of newness and rebirth. It sounds cliché but I definitely feel the seasonal shift in a way that makes me want to spruce up my house and garden, take on new projects and learn new things. Though I typically leave no stone unturned, seize the day and never miss an opportunity, I too have a bucket list. I generally don’t believe in these types of list, feeling they can act as a crutch to avoid taking the world by the tail in the moment, but I simply don’t have enough time in a day to do it all so I keep jotting down new things to take on when I have the time.
My current quest is Braising. We’ve all heard the term and eaten braised foods, but I suspect if I were to do an on the street quiz, most people don’t actually know what it is or how to prepare braised food. Braising is a several step process that consists basically of searing a main protein in oil, removing it from the cooking vessel, adding mirepoix (chopped vegetables) to the pan to cook, returning the protein to the pan and adding small amount of liquid which is brought to a simmer and the dish is then finished, covered, in the oven.
Each step is not lengthy or complicated and the end result is divine, supple meat and perfectly cooked vegetables in sauce. It was originally developed as a method to cook inexpensive cuts of meat which might be tougher in consistency, to tenderize the meat to a more pleasing texture. The method allows the flavors released in the initial searing to become melded with the mirepoix and braising liquid, hence using all the flavors fully. It is generally done in a heavy covered pan which is shorter than a traditional casserole or Dutch oven, though it will certainly work with other cooking vessels.
I had my thoughts on Mother’s Day as well as spring when deciding what to cook for my maiden braising voyage. I decided on Vermouth-Braised Lemon Chicken Legs loving the idea of a light, flavorful dish made with sophisticated flavor from the vermouth and freshness from lemon. I will admit after making this I really wondered why I had not started doing this regularly a long time ago. As mentioned before, though there are multiple steps, they are quite easy.
I don’t think there is a more comforting dish than chicken with crisp skin, and the braising method produces succulent chicken sealed with irresistibly crunchy skin! I added some local fingerling potatoes in the most beautiful shade of deep rose and they also were flawless. This one pot dish is effortless to cook, beautiful to behold and is ready in less than an hour.
Vermouth-Braised Lemon Chicken Legs
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 4 Chicken Legs (thigh and drumstick attached), rinsed and patted dry with a paper towel
- Kosher Salt and Ground Black Pepper
- 2 large Shallots , diced
- 5 Garlic Cloves , diced
- ½ cup Dry Vermouth
- 1 cup Low Sodium Chicken Broth
- 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice
- 6 sprigs fresh Thyme
- 1 Lemon , cut into 8 wedges vertically
- 1 pound Fingerling Potatoes , halved lengthwise
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly salt and pepper the chicken legs.
- In a 3 ½ quart braiser or large heavy skillet with lid, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. When it is shimmering, place the chicken legs bottom-side down into the skillet. Flip over after 5 minutes using a spatula to gently release any skin that might be sticking to the pan.
- Cook for more 5 minutes and remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Drain all the fat from the pan except 1 tablespoon. Reduce the heat to medium and add the shallots and garlic. Sauté until shallots are limp; approximately 4 minutes.
- Raise heat back to medium-high and add the vermouth and chicken stock (be careful of any hot splattering of the liquid). Scrape the bottom of the pan with a heatproof spatula to release any pan drippings into the liquid. Boil for 1 minute.
- Add the lemon juice and thyme sprigs. Return the chicken legs to the pan. Add the potatoes, cover and place into the preheated oven.
- After 20 minutes uncover the pan, place the lemon wedges around the chicken, recover and allow to cook another 15 minutes. The final temperature should register 165 degrees on a meat thermometer.
- Serve the chicken legs with a side of potatoes, drizzled in some of the pan sauce.
In my family Le Creuset has adorned every kitchen for the past three to four generations. We’ve all cherished our traditional cast iron enamel French Ovens in dazzling colors, from the original orange ‘Flame’ to more modern shades. The sturdiness, uniform heat conductivity and lifetime guarantee make Le Creuset both a staple of an active kitchen but a life-long kitchen companion as well.
Le Creuset has just released a new color, Amethyst, a sophisticated purple tone in a matte finish that is as fine as the gem for which it is named. To celebrate the newness of spring, learning new things, Mother’s Day and the new gorgeous Amethyst matte cookware, Le Creuset is generously giving away one 3 ½ quart Braiser, (in Amethyst of course) to a US (only) Boulder Locavore follower! Please enter to win!
Disclosure: I was supplied a Le Creuset Braiser for the purpose of the post. All opinions are my own.
Denise E. says
I would love to win. I would also love to try the braising method of cooking, but right now I don’t have the equipment to do so.
Jen says
I love spring fruits! Especially strawberries!
Sue Troller says
Looks absolutely delicious, can’t wait to try it!
Anne-Marie @ This Mama Cooks! On a Diet says
Asparagus, berries, rhubarb – it’s all good!
Rhonda M. says
I love fresh spring asparagus, beets and arugula! I also would love to win this LeCreuset Braiser.
Ashley C says
I looove asparagus! I’m so happy to see it at our local farmers market 🙂
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
Krista E. says
Asparagus and the first leafy greens of the season!
Alison says
This looks like the perfect pot to cook lamb shanks with barley risotto.
Heather says
I would love to win this giveaway! I love that color!! I also love all the spring veggies especially asparagus!
Charlotte Winters says
I’d love to win this giveaway. You can never have too many nice pots and pans!
Toni Dash says
I couldn’t agree more Charlotte!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
I love braised chicken and this one with vermouth and lemon is right up my alley!
JenO says
This recipe sounds fantastic! I love braising, especially in my Le Creuset dishes. Yum!
kjn says
This recipe looks amazing. I’ve been wanting to do more braising. Can’t wait to try this!
Dee says
This year Kale is my new vegetable – so healthy! The pan is beautiful. I hope I win, but congratulations to the winner. 🙂
Gina says
Fabulous giveaway- thank you!!! My favorite food this time of year is berries – I love when berries become available.
Liz says
I love this giveaway. I also love all the fresh fruits and vegetables that come along with Spring.
tammigirl says
I do love braising things! It makes everything so much more tasty. Since Spring is finally upon us I have actually wanted to have beef stew – I know, I know, but I’m going to miss the warm comfort I get from it during the summer so I had to get it in one last time.
Itzia says
I would love to win this.
Erin says
My favorite food for spring? I love the fresh-grown bounty at the Farmer’s Market. And being able to walk down to a gathering of the finest food Boulder County can produce is a blessing.
Kim Henrichs says
I LOVE asparagus so much and I love that my local farm store starts putting out watermelon now.
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
Oh Toni, what a wonderful dish, and what an amazing pan! It’s so funny because my husband and I were just talking yesterday about how we should cook more with vermouth!
Toni Dash says
Isn’t that funny?! I originally was going to use wine but as I meandered mentally through how I wanted the dish to be landed on vermouth. So glad I did. It was perfect in this dish.
Rust says
I love melons and corn on the cob. I’d also love that gorgeous braiser!
Anne says
Ah, spring! I love rhubarb and have lots of recipes for using it. Here in Maine, strawberries are a summer fruit, so I rarely enjoy the rhubarb-strawberry combination. I also love spring asparagus, but I hardly ever buy it because all I can find is imported from Mexico or Peru. Fiddleheads are a Maine spring delicacy, but I think they must be an acquired taste (I made some once and only once!).
Toni Dash says
Do they not grow asparagus in Maine, Anne? We’ve been enjoying local asparagus but I envy you the fiddleheads just because I’d like to try to make them. Also ramps!
Anne says
Yes, asparagus can grow in Maine, but I don’t have access to any. Sadly, farmer’s markets are few and far between (especially any time other than high summer), and unfortunately, their produce is generally very expensive. 🙁
I’ve read about ramps and would like to try them. Maybe someday, if I run into someone who can show me what they look like in real life.
Hannah says
After a cold, snowy Boston winter I am so excited for spring foods and can’t get enough. I’d love to try some new techniques with this le creuset!
Tammy Woodall says
We would love to win this Le Creuset 3 1/2 quart Braiser. It would be perfect to cook vegetables from the garden, like ocre, field peas, Roast with Carrots and Potatoes, the possibilities are endless.
Don Cresswell says
Can’t wait to try this recipe and would love to win that giveaway
HS says
I like mustard asparagus.
Debra Guillen says
I want to win this giveaway
Cheryl Larimer says
I don’t have a specific food but I like when spring comes and we switch to lighter foods and away from the heavy foods. Looks like a great recipe, I agree that crispy chicken is totally the best – I will have to try it. That is an awesome looking braiser!
Melonie says
Spring foods: fresh little peas. 🙂
Christina says
I love Le Creuset! Not only are their products fabulous, but so is their customer service (I ruined a pot with burnt artichokes once, and they were so helpful!) My very favorite color is purple and so I’m smitten with this pot! Thanks for having a giveaway!
This braised chicken dish sounds lovely, I use Dry Vermouth in a shrimp dish and it’s delicious.
April P says
I love spring because our local farmers market opens back up and we are able to get super fresh locally grown veggies!
Kate says
Le Creuset is my “Go To” brand for just about all types of cooking. I love how easy they are to clean.
The best wedding gift for any young couple would be a Le Creuset Dutch Oven – they’ll enjoy it for a lifetime!
Alison M says
I love rhubarb in the spring.
Adrienne gordon says
I want to win
Courtney Simpson says
Asparagus!
Felicia E says
I would love to win. My favorite spring food is asparagus.
ron schnell says
Looks Yummy!
Chelsea says
I love fresh veggies from the farmer’s market!
Chris @ The Café Sucré Farine says
This is a gorgeous dish Toni, not just the Le Creuset but the chicken itself, love how you used purple potatoes too, it really accents the pot!
Denise M says
i love to make grilled asparagus
Maria Malaveci says
This would be an amazing Mothers Day Gift!
Serena | Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch says
This recipe looks scrumptious! I love the little purple fingerling potatoes!
claudia lamascolo says
Now this is a meal my family would go crazy over!
shaunie says
I want to win because their are so many foods that I want to cook in it with.
Claudia Davis says
The spring foods I love are asparagus, fiddleheads, pea greens and ramps (YUMMY) are veggies I particularly look for in my local green market this time of year. I would really like to win this giveaway!
Toni Dash says
I envy your ramps. We don’t have them here other than at Whole Foods where they are almost $20/pound!
Sara S says
I love the new Amethyst Matte! It would look great mixed in with my Rosemary Le Creuset pieces. My dishes never turn out as pretty as yours though!
Toni Dash says
I’m sure they do Sara! This one is pretty simple too.
Audrey H. says
I love fresh spring veggies, but fresh seafood is great too.
Ellie Wright says
I would love to win this. It would be great to cook green chili pork casserole in.
Ann Fantom says
I love fresh Spring asparagus.
Stephanie Phelps says
My favorite spring foods are braised pork with fresh steamed asparagus!
Holly E says
I love bell peppers and squash in the spring.
Maureen O'Neal says
It looks VERY GOOD , especially with garlic and lemon, but I’ve never used vermouth, do you recommend a certain kind?
Toni Dash says
You could consult with your local liquor store Maureen but Noilly Prat is a well known brand and I used Martini & Rossi for this recipe (I actually used Extra Dry but Dry is fine).
Tammy Northrup says
Asparagus is my favorite spring vegetable. This recipe looks amazing by the way.
nicole dziedzic says
I love anything on the grill in the spring, weather it is grilled bacon wrapped asparagus, corn, or pineapple, i am in! I also love me some grilled Kabobs.
Sarah L says
I like asparagus. It’s such a delicious addition in the spring. I would love to win this! Thanks for the great giveaway!
elizabeth p says
I love bacon wrapped asparagus!
Mickele Bragg says
Already have thyme in the garden!
Renee G says
I love rhubarb from the garden in spring.
Kristi C says
My favorite spring vegetable is red bell peppers. I would love to win.
Tari Lawson says
I would like to win the giveaway.
Stacy says
Your chicken looks wonderful and I completely agree about the crispy skin! My favorite spring foods are artichokes and asparagus but I am also partial to rhubarb.
Carla S says
I want to win 🙂 ! I like pasta salad and grilled chicken salads.
Cynthia C says
I love fresh asparagus in the spring.
Amy Pratt says
I love asparagus picked from the roadside.
Allyson Ballard Bossie says
Fresh Asparagus straight from the garden is one of my favorite foods ever
nickie says
I have thyme in the garden!
ouida stokes says
I would love to win this cookware, I really need to bring in the new and out with the old with spring.
Debra S says
I LOVE Asparagus. I have a bed of it, and I’m expanding it. I need MORE, lots more! I also begin to crave salads in spring. Don’t you?
Toni Dash says
I DO, Debra! Sadly we’ve just had a week of rain and it snowed overnight putting the kabash on my salad cravings until it warms up a bit!
Heather R says
I love doing chicken and spring veggie bakes for quick one pot meals during the week. Slow cooked shredded pork for sandwiches with coleslaw is also a favorite. This is such a great giveaway. This cookware is top notch and the new color is gorgeous!
D P says
I’d love to win. My favorite food would be a very spicy chilli.
Sharon Kaminski says
My favorite is fresh green beans out of the garden.
jules m. says
i love asparagus, esp with hollandaise sauce mmmmm.. i would LOVE to win this le creuset pan!!
pat says
Love the new color!
Robin M says
I’d like to win, and the purple color is great!
Natalie says
My favorite spring vegetable is green beans! I love them crispy.
Debbi Wellenstein says
I would love to win the giveaway! I love asparagus in the spring!
janet woodling says
I love fresh fruits and vegetables.
Tracy Davis says
I love fresh corn in the Spring.
Mary O. says
I would love to win the giveaway!
Nancy Marcho says
For me, spring is the beginning of ice cream season!
Tracy C. says
I love Spring vegetables.
Sara says
It”s maybe more of a summer food, but I associate spring with berries and melons.
Selinda says
Turkey wraps with fresh veggies!
Susan says
I would love to win the casserole/buffet in that fabulous color! I’d cook some asparagus in it or maybe rhubarb.
Kelly Nicholson says
Leave a comment below in the blog comment section sharing what spring foods you love, or simply that you’d like to win the giveaway!
hamburgers and french fries all year long baby
Gene D says
any fresh berries or produce
Tricia @ Saving Room for Dessert says
What a lovely color – asparagus is my favorite!
Jessica Crawford says
I would love to win this but I love tomato pie in the spring
Claire says
Spring, for some reason, is parfait season to me! It’s like ice cream when it’s not yet warm enough for ice cream.
jberry says
I wait ever so patiently for my herbs to mature.
Dorothea Collington says
I’d like to win – soup or a hearty stew.
Margot C says
I adore spring vegetables like asparagus, so vivid and healthy.
Kristen says
That is gorgeous!!
I love all the fruits that start appearing in Spring….plums, peaches, apricots, strawberries.
jose benavides says
I would love to win this cause i cook a lot and this would so come in handy in the ktichen ..
Kelly Beck says
I NEED this!
deana says
A spring food that I love is asparagus! Thanks for the chance.
Elizabeth Fitzmaurice says
Asparagus is my favorite spring fresh vegie. And rhubarb!
Kristin says
My favorite spring vegetable is definitely asparagus!!!
Candice Dyer says
I love soups during the spring and year round! I would LOVE to win this to make more!
Denise S says
I like the strawberries and peaches that are more available here in the spring.
C. M. says
I like Zucchini and Watercress Soup.
Chris says
Looks absolutely lovely.
Danielle says
I love strawberries, watermelon and cantelope
mickeyfan says
Seasonal produce thrills me. And I’d love to win!
Rosanne Morrison says
I love asparagus in the spring
greentopiaries says
I love making Spring Pizzas with basil from my garden. Thanks for the chance!
Kim says
I’m jealous of how pretty you made this chicken dish look! It sounds so delicious too. I’ve never braised anything, but I’ll have to try.
Also, amethyst is my birthstone, so I’d love to win. 😉
Tracy Pryor says
I love strawberry pie. I would love to win this.
Stacy says
I love spring vegetables like asparagus
greg says
I’d love to win this!
Jillian Too says
I really love cooking with herbs in Spring because I’m inspired by planting and tending my garden after the snowy winter. I really like herb potato salad for spring.
Denise Welch says
I really love to win this I like mushrooms
Penny Snyder says
I love rhubarb – it’s growing beautifully this Spring!!~
Erica B. says
I’d love to win!
Aaron says
I would like to win. I love mushrooms.
Ashley C says
I love strawberries! They are my favorite spring food and we have been eating tons of them around here!
ELIZABETH C. says
I love eating fresh salads in the spring! I would also love to win this giveaway!
Ann Fuller says
I can’t wait for my cucumbers, Vidalia onions and tomato salad!
Toni Dash says
Yum!
Jennifer W says
I love strawberries and asparagus in the spring!
sandra says
i’d love to win, thanks!
Rocco Viola says
fresh basil pesto with almost anything. love the springtime
Tina Reynolds says
I love love the color would so love to win. I love strawberries 😉
Emily Smith says
I love strawberry shortcake!
Toni Dash says
Me too Emily!
Deb C says
I love fresh asparagus in the Spring and also Baby Bibb Lettuce.
joe gersch says
i love casseroles and would love this
Donna Worth says
I can think of so many ways to use this. I hope I win it!
cynthia Dawson says
I love to have Asparagus in the spring! Yummy!
Lee McKeon says
I love summer salads, home made potato salad for sure
Laura H says
I’d love to win the giveaway and make one of my potato dishes. Lovely braiser!
Breanne says
I’d love to win!
Angela Teodorczy says
Lemon chicken is one of my favs
Ceinwyn R says
I love fresh asparagus and artichokes in the spring!
manda says
I love radishes
Marty C. says
Greens. By the time spring rolls around, I am craving any kind of fresh vegetables and herbs.
Sarah says
That braising pan is gorgeous! I would love to cook with that.
Jennifer J says
I love all the spring vegetables. I can’t wait until the farmers markets open around here. Thank you!
Robin says
I would love to make a casserole in this pot.
Stephanie Larison says
I’d love to win this, we make a lot of potato dishes in this house!
Jenn M. says
Would love to win this.
SweepyD says
I’d say strawberries and oranges, and good luck all!
Dorothy Deakyne says
I love to make Chicken and Rice
Sherril McGann says
I love Le Creuset cookware and would use this brasier frequently. I really like the amethyst color.
Paula Michele Hafner says
I would love to win the giveaway! I love the fresh Spinach that we are getting from our garden. It’s so great on a sandwich or homemade pizzas!
Carolyn Daley says
I like smoked ham, sweet potatoes, and spring rolls.
Annamarie V says
My favorite spring food is fresh artichokes, I can eat them every night for dinner.
robyn paris says
I would soooooo love to win…. this prize.
Sand says
i would love to win this for my mom. She would love it!
Elaine C. says
We grow asparagus and rhubarb that we love to harvest after the long Winter. Thanks for the Le Creuset contest!
Stephanie Galbraith says
I would love to win this for my fiance since he’s such a good cook, and he loves awesome cooking vessels.