POULET A LA NORMANDE

Steps:

• 1)Season the chicken w/salt and pepper. In a large, heavy saucepan, melt 2Tbls of the butter w/the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken skin-side down and brown on all sides. Transfer to a plate. 2) Pour off most of the fat from the pan. Add the onions, carrots, thyme and bay leaf and cook until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the Calvados, warm slightly, then stand back and ignite it. Once the flames die, add the cider, scraping up the brown bits. Bring to a boil and reduce by half. Add the stock and return the chicken to the pan. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. Transfer the breast pieces to a bowl. Cook the legs and thigs for 10 more minutes and add to the bowl. Keep warm. 3)Soak the pearl onions in warm water before peeling. Melt 2Tbls butter in a large skillet. Add the onions and a pinch of salt, cover and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, shaking the p0an occasionally. Uncover, add 1Tbls butter and increase heat to medium-high. Place the apples in the center of the pan. Sear on each side for 10 to 15 minutes, until caramelized. 4)Strain the Calvados sauce and return it to the pan. Add the juices from the chicken. Whisk in the creme fraiche. Simmer until the sauce coats the back of a spoon. Season. Add the chicken pieces and warm through.