Chicken Vallee D'auge Recipe . Apple Cider Chicken Casserole Northern France Specialty (Normandy)

Chicken Vallee D'auge Recipe...

Named for a region in Normandy known for its apples (and Calvados), this traditional recipe combines both in a rich, creamy sauce. Afraid to flambé? Buy a long-reach lighter at a hardware store.

Am amorous of this idea of cooking with apple cider, and brandy even...
France has a variety of very intriguing and yummy ciders, that have existed for many generations...Combining fruit flavors in meats I feel is just so meant to be, as it creates this delicious appealing balance, and delight on the palette...

INGREDIENTS

• 5 tablespoon unsalted butter, divided
• 3 firm, tart apples (such as Pink Lady or Braeburn; about 1 lb.), peeled, cored, quartered
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 3½–4-lb. chickens, quartered
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 leek, white and pale-green parts only, halved lengthwise, sliced crosswise ¼” thick
• 2 shallots, finely chopped
• ¼ cup Calvados (apple brandy)
• ¾ cup apple cider
• 4 sprigs thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
• ½ pound crimini (baby bella) mushrooms, trimmed, halved
• ½ cup crème fraîche
• 1 large egg yolk