POACHED CHICKEN WITH RICE

Steps:

• Rinse the chicken well in cold water. Place the chicken in a Dutch oven and barely cover with water.
• Tie the leeks, celery, parsley and thyme sprigs with a string to form a bouquet garni. Add it to the Dutch oven, then add the bay leaf, carrots, onion with cloves, peppercorns and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer and cook until chicken is tender, about 45 minutes. Skim the surface often to remove fat.
• Remove the chicken from the broth and keep warm while preparing the sauce. Reserve the broth.
• Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the flour, and mix well with a wire whisk over low heat. When blended, add 2 cups of the chicken broth, stir vigorously with the whisk. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Strain through a sieve and add cream, half and half, nutmeg, cayenne and lemon juice. Bring to a boil. Check for seasoning and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Serve one chicken quarter per person. Remove skin if desired, spoon a little of the sauce over the chicken and serve the remainder in a sauce boat. Serve with rice and the poached vegetables.