Pintade au Chou
Guinea Fowl with Cabbage
A rustic and elegant French country dish featuring tender guinea fowl braised with Savoy cabbage, smoky bacon, and aromatic vegetables in white wine and chicken stock. Perfect for a comforting autumn meal.
๐ง Ingredients
- 1 Guinea fowl
- 1 Savoy cabbage
- 150 g Smoked bacon
- 1 Yellow onion
- 2 Carrots
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 200 ml Dry white wine
- 300 ml Chicken stock
- 2 sprigs Fresh thyme
- 1 Bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
๐จโ๐ณ Instructions
- 1
Pat the guinea fowl pieces dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the guinea fowl pieces on all sides until deeply golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. This browning builds crucial flavor. Remove the guinea fowl from the pot and set aside.
โฑ๏ธ 15 minutes - 2
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the bacon lardons to the pot and cook until crisp and the fat has rendered, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot. Add the chopped onion and sliced carrots to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly golden, about 8-10 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
โฑ๏ธ 20 minutes - 3
Add the thinly sliced Savoy cabbage to the pot. Stir well to combine with the vegetables and cook until the cabbage begins to wilt, about 5-7 minutes. Season the cabbage mixture lightly with salt and pepper.
โฑ๏ธ 7 minutes - 4
Return the browned guinea fowl pieces to the pot, nestling them into the cabbage mixture. Pour in the white wine and chicken stock. Add the fresh thyme sprigs and the bay leaf. Bring the liquid to a simmer.
โฑ๏ธ 5 minutes - 5
Cover the pot tightly with a lid. Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the guinea fowl is very tender and cooked through. Alternatively, transfer the covered pot to a preheated oven at 160ยฐC (320ยฐF) and braise for the same amount of time. The meat should easily pull away from the bone.
โฑ๏ธ 1 hour 30 minutes - 6
Once cooked, remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Skim off any excess fat from the surface of the braising liquid, if desired. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve the guinea fowl hot, spooning the tender cabbage and braising liquid over the top. Garnish with the reserved crispy bacon bits.
โฑ๏ธ 5 minutes
๐ก Pro Tips
- โGuinea fowl has a leaner, more pronounced flavor than chicken. Ensure not to overcook it during the initial searing.
- โThe cabbage should be meltingly soft and infused with the flavors of the braise. If the liquid seems too thin at the end, you can remove the guinea fowl and cabbage and simmer the liquid uncovered for a few minutes to reduce it slightly.
- โThis dish is excellent served with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce, or alongside mashed potatoes.
- โA great autumn or winter dish that benefits from slow cooking to develop deep flavors.
โจ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Substitute pheasant or partridge for guinea fowl for a similar gamey flavor.
- Add a diced leek along with the onion and carrots for an extra layer of subtle oniony sweetness.
- A splash of Calvados (apple brandy) can be added with the white wine for a regional twist.