Make Ahead Sunday: Cream of Chicken & Leeks on Buttered Toast

Source: Rachael Ray Magazine

Ingredients

• 3 small pieces chicken breast (1 1/4 lbs.)
• Salt and pepper
• 1 carrot, peeled and coarsely chopped
• 1 rib celery, coarsely chopped
• 1 small onion, peeled and halved, root kept inact
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1 bay leaf
• a few sprigs thyme and parsley
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon EVOO
• 3 medium leeks--trimmed, halved lengthwise, sliced crosswise 1/2 inch thick and thoroughly rinsed
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 - 3 tablespoons chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 4 slices good-quality white bread--toasted, lighly buttered and halved into triangles

1. Place the chicken in a deep skillet and season with salt. Add the carrot, celery, onion, lemon, bay leaf, thyme, parsley and just enough water to cover the chicken. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a low boil and poach the chicken for 15 minutes. Remove the chicken and shred or slice. Strain the stock.
2. Meanwhile, in another deep skillet, heat the butter an EVOO over medium heat. Add the leeks and cook until softened, 6 to 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with the flour and stir for a minutes. Add the wine and ladle in 1 cup of the chicken poaching stock. Stir in the cream for about 5 minutes to thicken. Stir in the parsley and mustard. Add the chicken. Store if making ahead.
3. On the night of, reheat the chicken and make the toast.  Align the toast triangles on plates point to point, with the cut sides facing out. Top with the chicken mixture.

Source: Rachael Ray Magazine