Difficulty: Moderate | Serves: 4
Rich, creamy, and full of tender chicken and vegetables—Waterzooi is Belgium’s most comforting stew! 🍲✨ Originally made with fish but now commonly prepared with chicken, this silky, broth-based dish is thickened with egg yolks and cream, creating a luscious, velvety texture. Served with crusty bread, Waterzooi is the perfect dish for a cozy, satisfying meal!
Ingredients For Waterzooi�
🔥 For the Stew:
☑ 1 ½ lbs (700g) chicken (thighs or breast), cut into pieces 🍗
☑ 4 cups (1L) chicken broth 🍵
☑ 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream 🥛
☑ 3 egg yolks 🥚
☑ 2 tablespoons🥄 unsalted butter 🧈
☑ 1 leek, sliced into rings 🧅
☑ 2 large carrots, chopped 🥕
☑ 2 celery stalks, sliced 🌿
☑ 1 small onion, finely chopped 🧄
☑ ½ teaspoon🥄 salt 🧂
☑ ½ teaspoon🥄 black pepper 🌿
☑ ½ teaspoon🥄 thyme or bay leaf 🌿
🔥 For Serving:
☑ Fresh parsley for garnish 🌿
☑ Crusty bread 🥖
👩🍳 Cooking Steps For Waterzooi�
🔥 Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables
1️⃣ In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat.
2️⃣ Add onion, leek, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
🔥 Step 2: Simmer the Chicken
1️⃣ Pour in chicken broth, add salt, pepper, thyme, and bay leaf.
2️⃣ Add the chicken pieces, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook for 20 minutes until tender.
3️⃣ Remove the chicken and set aside.
🔥 Step 3: Thicken the Broth
1️⃣ In a bowl, whisk together heavy cream and egg yolks.
2️⃣ Slowly add a few ladles of hot broth to the mixture while whisking (to prevent curdling).
3️⃣ Stir the creamy mixture back into the pot, cooking on low heat for another 5 minutes (do not boil).
🔥 Step 4: Serve & Enjoy!
1️⃣ Return the chicken to the pot and gently heat through.
2️⃣ Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.
3️⃣ Serve with crusty bread for dipping!
🍲 Creamy, rich, and deeply comforting—Waterzooi is Belgium’s most heartwarming dish!
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