My first thought on this week’s assignment was “Mustard’s in the sauce? Blech. Mustard. I hate mustard.” However, after eating dinner at L2O last weekend, I had the pleasure of experiencing different pairings of flavors that I thought would never go together (much less like on their own) throughout a 15-course tasting menu. For instance, I never knew foie gras would taste so good with both sweet and savory ingredients! However, there was a course in the meal that had bits of Meyer lemon zest sprinkled on top, and it tasted genuinely nasty to me. I know a two-star restaurant would never zest close to the pith, but I had the taste of pith in my mouth nonetheless. Despite that one moment of unpleasantness and in the spirit of culinary adventure, I threw caution to the wind, plunged tablespoon first into a jar of grainy German mustard, and used the full three tablespoons called for in Dorie’s chicken breasts diable. Surprisingly, the tartness from the mustard cut down the richness of the cream to the point where I actually enjoyed the mustard sauce! Who knew? I can see myself making this chicken dish again with the mustard sauce without even a second thought to the dreaded mustard. Progress!
This chicken breasts diable made as a part of French Fridays with Dorie, a group of bloggers who are cooking their way through Dorie Greenspan’s Around My French Table: More Than 300 Recipes from My Home to Yours.
Mar 01, 2013 @ 13:46:24
Your photography is just beautiful!! And this looks so good. I enjoyed the insight into your reaction to the mustard! That tasting menu… lucky you!!
Mar 01, 2013 @ 13:48:52
I’m a mustard lover and I’m sure the dish was delicious. If you don’t really care for mustard and liked this dish…that in itself is a good compliment.
Mar 01, 2013 @ 14:50:13
Great idea to slice the chicken before putting on the sauce.
15 course menu….WOW!
Mar 01, 2013 @ 15:11:55
I am a big mustard fan….huge. I have even made it from scratch. I thought I did not like it until a chef friend made me some grilled sausages and he made a beer, mustard and heavy cream sauce that was sublime. Now I am hooked on it.
Mar 01, 2013 @ 15:27:50
This looks so good. Your photo is very nice.
Tracy @ Sunny Days and Starry Nights
Mar 01, 2013 @ 16:21:39
I love anything with a bit of kick to it!
Mar 01, 2013 @ 17:32:31
This is a wonderful recipe! Glad you liked it!
Mar 01, 2013 @ 17:33:31
Your photo is great and the chicken looks delicious, not liking mustard and loving the mustard sauce is proof of a great recipe. Nice!!
Mar 01, 2013 @ 17:46:08
Beautiful:) The mustard sauce was delicious.
Mar 01, 2013 @ 17:52:31
I love mustard.I add a dash of it to mayo, when using it on bread.Good that you enjoyed your sauce.
Mar 01, 2013 @ 18:25:09
Glad you now embrace mustard.
Mar 01, 2013 @ 19:20:58
Your mustard sauce is very creamy and delicious looking. So you guys made 15 dishes?… wow. good for you. Take Care, BAM
Mar 01, 2013 @ 20:10:56
Soon you’ll be munching on raw onions like apples 😉 So glad you tried and enjoyed this one…I thought it was a winner, too!
Mar 01, 2013 @ 20:20:47
I make chicken with mustard and cream sauce quite often and love it – I’m glad you’re a new convert xx
Mar 01, 2013 @ 21:03:18
Your photo looks so yummy… I’ve already looked the recipe up. In Portugal many people often use mustard, milk or cream and a bit of Port wine for a fancy steak. This looks incredible, I really must try this one.
Mar 01, 2013 @ 21:41:36
chicken with mustard is just the best
Mar 01, 2013 @ 21:54:36
Glad to hear you surprised yourself with this one. I loved the sauce on this one.
Mar 02, 2013 @ 02:46:58
Mustard and cream works wonderfully. Nice recipe.
Mar 02, 2013 @ 06:13:47
Well done for trying something new!
Mar 02, 2013 @ 06:50:22
We enjoyed this one as well (but I like mustard, so it wasn’t too scary!)
Mar 02, 2013 @ 07:11:55
I love mustard, it probably ranks as my favorite condiment so this was an easy one for me to like. Happy to hear that it managed to impress even a few mustard haters.
Mar 02, 2013 @ 08:02:05
Mustard can really enhance flavor. When I was working on my Oscar party sliders, I decided that the Baked French Onion Soup slider had failed, and wanted to add some extra kick to the onions. Alas too late for the post, I added some mustard and Worcestershire sauce to the onions and it made a huge difference (without tasting like mustard and Worcestershire sauce). I’ll probably be adding it to my soup…
Mar 02, 2013 @ 09:39:20
I was certainly surprised by how well this mustard sauce was received by my family…they love it, and mostly they do not like any mustard except the common yellow variety. Nice to have a good surprise now and then. Enjoyed your post.
Mar 02, 2013 @ 10:29:18
Another example of expectations impacting the results- I actually ADORE mustard. When little, I was even known to prepare “mustard sandwiches”. Yep. Mustard on white bread. Now it is not that I didn’t care for this week’s – it was simply that the Trader Joe’s mustard blew our sinuses out of the water. I love the recipe overall, especially the Worcestershire element and will tweak and keep this one for sure. And not make any mustard sandwiches out that TJ’s bottle….:)
Mar 02, 2013 @ 10:34:10
I was worried here when you used the ‘hate’ word as I’m not sure I can love anyone so who actually, truly hated mustard. And you can’t hate it if you use three full tablespoons in this sauce. You love it, you know you do!
Mar 02, 2013 @ 10:36:18
You and mustard. This looks just wonderful even though I love me some mustard. I like when you bend the rules.
Mar 02, 2013 @ 10:47:57
Mmmmm – mustard! I loved this one so much!
Mar 02, 2013 @ 11:22:53
Yuuuuummmyyyy!!! This look awesome I wanna try it!!! 🙂
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Mar 02, 2013 @ 11:42:58
I love mustard, so I’m sure that these would be a hit in my house. Thank you so much for sharing. Now I’m inspired to make dinner!
Mar 02, 2013 @ 11:47:28
Wow, that restaurant sounds amazing…what a cool experience! I love trying new ingredients or combinations at really good restaurants…it’s surprising how many things I in fact do really like when they’re prepared really well! 🙂
That chicken looks delicious…I am a big mustard fan, so I bet I would adore it!
Mar 02, 2013 @ 14:30:29
I am glad that you tried the mustard sauce and liked it!
Mar 02, 2013 @ 15:18:28
Isn’t this a surprising dish? I was concerned about the mustard too, but I really liked it. Everything worked together so well – it wasn’t too mustardy, it wasn’t too creamy, it all just came together so well. Definitely a meal to try again!
Mar 02, 2013 @ 16:33:50
It is so strange how some dishes completely hide the presence of ingredients we think of as strong flavored. Like anchovies in pasta sauces. Thanks for the recipe; it sounds delicious.
Mar 02, 2013 @ 17:14:25
This looks fabulous Yummy Chunklet!
Mar 02, 2013 @ 18:56:18
Pinning this NOW! Must make more tasty chicken in my life.
Mar 02, 2013 @ 21:47:51
Good looking photo! Good for you for getting past your mustard aversion. I love how you power through some of the things you’re not that fond of! Fortunately I like mustards so would love this dish. I discovered a long time ago at a highly rated dim sum restaurant that I can get through almost anything except crispy (or any other kind) chicken feet. LOL!
Mar 02, 2013 @ 23:19:07
Love that you liked the mustard! And, side note, I love foie gras with pain de d’espices (ginger cake).
Mar 03, 2013 @ 05:21:37
Oh I can think of nothing nicer than some mustard in a sauce for chcicken. Delicious. Sounds like you had a great dinner
Mar 03, 2013 @ 07:21:42
I am always amazed at how a little bit of mustard can really change the flavor of a sauce or dressing!
Mar 03, 2013 @ 07:51:16
I love mustard and this looks and sounds divine! xo
Mar 03, 2013 @ 11:07:03
Sometimes I use mustard in lieu of ketchup…I love it that much!
Love your presentation…I need to work on that. 🙂
Mar 03, 2013 @ 12:17:40
I am also not a fan of mustard, but have been surprised in the past when it is in something I like and I find out later haha!
Mar 03, 2013 @ 22:32:53
Believe it or not, I think everyone who made the FFWD recipe choice this week liked or loved it. And, about 1/3 of you didn’t like mustard at the get-go. (Not a scientific study, just an observation.) Glad you enjoyed this and that you’re a mustard convert, of sorts. I also sliced my chicken, but during the leftovers phase. Yours looks especially delicious.
Mar 04, 2013 @ 01:10:54
Yumm that is definitely a chicken breast that I can choke down on a diet! That sauce looks scrumptious.
Mar 04, 2013 @ 09:38:00
This looks amazing!
Mar 04, 2013 @ 09:41:43
Hi, this chicken dish look awesome. Love the sauce, look so good. YUMMY!
Have a nice week ahead.
Mar 04, 2013 @ 11:04:18
perfectly browned!
tasty with some german mustard kick’in
Mar 04, 2013 @ 17:31:11
Your chicken dish sounds very tasty to me. So glad you are going for the mustard, so many varieties to choose from these days. people make homemade mustard, Andi
Mar 04, 2013 @ 20:16:03
This looks really great and I Love mustard. I need to spice up my chicken.
Mar 04, 2013 @ 22:06:45
I use mustard in just about everything. My family would fall in love with this dish. can’t wait to try it
Mar 04, 2013 @ 22:23:58
This looks really delicious!
Mar 04, 2013 @ 23:13:43
Mustard can definitely add a new flavor dimension to a lot of dishes. I am amazed at what a little mustard can do for a dish. The chicken looks delicious.
Mar 05, 2013 @ 05:01:56
Yay! I am glad you gave this a go. Sometimes, Dorie can surprise you.
Mar 05, 2013 @ 06:07:58
I too am a little stingy when it comes to mustard. I am very careful with it. These breasts look absolutely perfect!
Mar 05, 2013 @ 09:03:49
Great recipe and the chicken breast looks gorgeous when you slice it before serving!.
Must be difficult to taste a 15 course menu without confusing the flavors at the end , but for sure it’s worth while the effort 🙂
Mar 05, 2013 @ 22:51:45
That’s great that you would make this again. Maybe you are turning the corner from hating mustard after all! Your plate looks great!
Mar 06, 2013 @ 00:27:34
Haha! You don’t like mustard? I particularly like Dijon mustard a lot… This looks good!
Mar 07, 2013 @ 18:58:32
I made this one over the weekend at my son’s house. Everyone loved it! Yours looks delicious…glad you enjoyed it!
Mar 07, 2013 @ 20:45:04
Your chicken looks fantastic! (And I’m someone who really does like mustard.)
Mar 08, 2013 @ 11:30:53
This chicken dish sounds amazing!
Mar 09, 2013 @ 11:49:29
I felt the same way when I saw MUSTARD!! Blechhh!! But it was soooo good.
Mar 14, 2013 @ 07:06:28
Definitely my favourite way to make (and eat) chicken!!!