With its clean taste and light body, Court Bouillon is used to poach fish, shellfish, and lean white meats such as chicken and veal, when you want to impart only subtle flavor. It can be as simple as a few aromatics steeped in water or more complex with a fruity white wine or other acidic ingredients, such as vinegar or lemon juice. As with stocks, you should feel free to improvise with whatever is in your vegetable bin (or garden, if you have one). The ingredients called for here are common, but you can leave out some or replace them with other mild-tasting herbs or vegetables. The goal is to avoid overpowering the food that will be poached in the liquid.
Recipe information
Yield
Makes 3 quarts
Ingredients
Preparation
Combine everything in a large stockpot, adding salt as desired (be careful not to oversalt at this point; you can always add more at the end). Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer 15 to 30 minutes, depending on desired intensity of flavor. Strain through a fine sieve to remove solids, if desired; cool completely before using or refrigerating in airtight containers, up to 2 days.
