Guinea Fowl with Apples, Prunes and Armagnac Mustard Sauce (Pintade aux Prunes)
French Sunday Lunch:
Guinea Fowl with Apples, Prunes and Armagnac Mustard Sauce
(Pintade aux Prunes)
Dawn breaks, sending fiery rays of blood-red rays through the old lace curtains……it’s a Sailor’s (or Shepherd’s) warning morning, and then I hear the patter of rain as it hits the window, driven by blustering winds. The duvet clings to me like a protective jacket, the pillows are fluffy, the bed feels “safe” and I really do not want to get up. It’s the first Sunday in March and Spring is officially here, it’s a shame that SW France seems to have forgotten this fact. I curse quietly under my breath as my husband slumbers on – it’s obviously “my turn” to let the chickens out again. Warm feet slip into cold slippers and I grope around for my fleece – a dressing gown won’t be “man” enough for the weather that I can hear outside; padding silently down the stairs, a cat winds around my legs, purring in anticipation of food and strokes………the other cat is hiding under the table with evil intent, and jumps out to attack my sheepskin slippers as I pass her lair…….
Red sky in the Morning, SW France
….clicking the kettle on, I then make my way through the stable door and flap my way over the grass, nightie flying and flaying, to the hen hut at the bottom of the garden. The blood-red sky is now a gentle pink and the rain has stopped, thankfully. The warm glow of the kitchen beckons me as I make my way back up the garden, and all I can think of is a cup of tea and preferably taken in bed.
Morning sky, SW France
Back in the kitchen I make a pot of tea and prepare a “Sunday morning” tray – that’s milk, tea and mugs to take upstairs for another snooze in bed! But before I make my way back up the old oak staircase, I assemble a few ingredients, ready for Sunday lunch – bringing apples, potatoes and a jar of mustard in from the pantry, ready to prepare after my Sunday morning indulgence of tea in bed. I have a recipe in mind, a comforting dish of rustic elegance that will be perfect for a lazy lunch………a lunch that is made in one roasting tray for ease, Guinea Fowl with Apples, Prunes and Armagnac Mustard Sauce (Pintade aux Prunes) and a recipe that will allow me to indulge in opening a new jar from my recently arrived Maille Mustard Gift Box.
Maille Mustard Gift Set
I have already decided on which jar of mustard I will use – the selection was amazing with mustards of every hue and flavour and I was tempted to use the Mustard with White Wine and Dijon Blackcurrant Liqueur, as well as the Mustard with White Wine, Shallots, Chervil and Chanterelle Mushrooms, but it was the Mustard with White Wine, Dried Prunes and Armagnac Brandy that I decided to use in the end. I have cooked the recipe (I am sharing today) before, but with a few different variations – we both love “pintade” and there is no need to buy a whole bird, as you can buy pieces of “quarters” of Guinea fowl in France, which is handy for two people.
Mustard with White Wine, Dried Prunes and Armagnac Brandy
I LOVE this recipe as it is easy to prepare and cook, as it all roasts in one tray; the sauce is easily made in a saucepan and that means less washing up with only two dishes used. I served this with some of my Spiced Red Cabbage with Apples, which was in the freezer, and that and a glass (or two) of Cremant de Limoux completed our Sunday lunch. As well as the beautiful Guinea fowl and English Russet apples, the Maille mustard was the star of the show and complimented the dish perfectly; this mustard has a heat rating of 3 out of 5, so it’s quite mellow, but with a pronounced fruity taste and the Armagnac brandy coming in later, along with the wine……it’s a very sophisticated mustard with a complex taste, and it was also perfect as an accompaniment on the side of the plate, with our roast potatoes being dipped and dabbed in it.
French Sunday Lunch: Guinea Fowl with Apples, Prunes and Armagnac Mustard Sauce (Pintade aux Prunes)
DO try this recipe, maybe for a lazy Sunday lunch one day, or for a dinner party – if you are not keen on Guinea fowl, which I always describe as tasting “like chicken with attitude”, then use chicken pieces instead. Rabbit can also be used in place of Guinea fowl and mustard sauce is a classic French way of cooking and serving rabbit, and is truly delicious. Not long to the weekend now, have a wonderful day and I’ll be back soon with some more new recipes and “kitchen chat”, Karen.
Cherie, my Korat cat hiding and ready to pounce!
Disclaimer: I received a box of Maille Mustards as well as a financial fee for creating and developing this original recipe using Maille Mustards. All opinions and views are my own.
French Sunday Lunch: Guinea Fowl with Apples, Prunes and Armagnac Mustard Sauce (Pintade aux Prunes)
Guinea Fowl with Apples, Prunes and Armagnac Mustard Sauce (Pintade aux Prunes)
Print recipe
| Serves | 2 |
| Prep time | 15 minutes |
| Cook time | 50 minutes |
| Total time | 1 hours, 5 minutes |
| Meal type | Lunch, Main Dish |
| Misc | Gourmet, Serve Hot |
| Occasion | Casual Party, Christmas, Easter, Formal Party, Thanksgiving, Valentines day |
| Region | French |
| By author | Karen S Burns-Booth |
Ingredients
- 2 guinea fowl quarters (the leg and thigh)
- 2 to 3 large potatoes, peeled and cut into edge shaped chips (Leave the skin in if they are new potatoes)
- 3 eating apples, cored and cut into wedges (I used Russet apples)
- 1 gammon steak, cut into small pieces (or 75g lardons/bacon pieces)
- sea salt and black pepper
- fresh thyme
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
sauce
- 8 to 10 dried Agen prunes (soaked for 30 minutes in cold tea or apple juice if they are very hard)
- 150mls chicken stock
- 4 tablespoons crème fraiche
- 2 teaspoons Maille prune and Armagnac mustard
- 1 tablespoon Armagnac brandy
Note
An easy one-pan dish of rustic elegance with guinea fowl, potatoes, apples and prunes in a creamy mustard sauce with Armagnac. This makes a wonderful meal for two, but quantities can be increased for more diners. Serve with spiced red cabbage.
Directions
| Step 1 | Pre-heat oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6 |
| Step 2 | Arrange the guinea fowl, potato wedges, apples and gammon pieces in a large roasting tin in a single layer. Season with sea salt and pepper and scatter a few fresh thyme leaves over the top. Finally, drizzle the oil over and roast in pre-heated oven for 45 to 50 minutes - or until the guinea fowl is cooked and the potatoes are crunchy and golden brown. |
| Step 3 | Meanwhile, make the sauce. Whisk the crème fraiche, mustard and Armagnac brandy into the chicken stock and heat over a gentle heat in a saucepan. Just before serving add the prunes and stir. Keep warm until you needed. |
| Step 4 | Serve the guinea fowl on warm plates, and share the roast ham, potatoes and apple out equally. Pour some of the sauce over the guinea fowl and decant the rest into a gravy jug. |
| Step 5 | Scatter with fresh thyme leaves and serve with spiced red cabbage. |
French Sunday Lunch: Guinea Fowl with Apples, Prunes and Armagnac Mustard Sauce (Pintade aux Prunes)
The Coronation Chickens! Mavis, Betty and Peggy
French Sunday Lunch: Guinea Fowl with Apples, Prunes and Armagnac Mustard Sauce (Pintade aux Prunes)
French Sunday Lunch: Guinea Fowl with Apples, Prunes and Armagnac Mustard Sauce (Pintade aux Prunes)
French Sunday Lunch: Guinea Fowl with Apples, Prunes and Armagnac Mustard Sauce (Pintade aux Prunes)
Sylvia says
Droolworthy lunch, I love the idea of creamy mustard sauce!
Karen says
Thanks so much Sylvia!
Liz Thomas says
What a beautiful cat!
Your recipe sounds lovely and will certainly give it a go when we get back in September (we leave here on 17th). Where do you buy “quarters” of guinea fowl? I’ve only ever seen whole ones here.
Got a jar of mustard with absinthe the other day which is lovely, pale green in colour with a fascinating flavour. Iit’s made locally by a company called Domaine de Terre Rouge at Turenne, not far frome Brive.
cheers!
Liz
Karen says
Thanks Liz! She is a Korat cat, and I also have a Burmese too (also blue).
I bought my “quarters” of Guinea fowl in SuperU, they often have them there, but Leclerc, Auchan, Carrefour or Intermarche should also have them too.
Your local mustard sounds divine and I have never seen mustard with absinthe in it, ever, would love to try that!
Karen
Dominic says
oh my flippn’ heck…. those chips, that guinea fowl… the sauce… I literally want to scratch the screen and lean in to eat and smell the gorgeous aroma… this is beautiful my dear, very rustic-chic if ever there was such a thing xx
Karen says
Scratch away Dom! 🙂
Antonia says
That looks heavenly. We love pintade too and that sauce sounds superb. I am a big fan of minimal washing up too so this sounds like my kind of recipe. All the more time to indulge in the cremant de Limoux!
Karen says
There’s always a good time to enjoy a glass of fizz Antonia!
Lizzy (Good Things) says
What a delightful introduction to this post, Karen! Loved it. My Peter won’t eat mustard, sigh!
Karen says
Thanks Lizzy! Malcolm loves mustard thankfully!
Nayna Kanabar (@SIMPLYF00D) says
I am so envious of you you live in a beautiful place and it looks like the sun is always shining in all your clicks.
Karen says
Thanks Nayna! We need a FBC5 meet up here maybe? Why not! 🙂
Janice Pattie (@FarmersgirlCook) says
Very poetic Karen! I can just see you flapping down to let the hens out and then back to bed with a cup of tea! Beautiful recipe, the mustard looks lush.
Karen says
Thanks! I am a bit of a flapper Janice! 🙂
laurasmess says
Oh Karen! What a beautiful, beautiful post! Your words, photographs, the divine recipe… I love everything about it… lovely golden roasted guinea fowl, the creamy mustard, Armagnac and prune sauce, the sweet apples and herbed potatoes. I’m swooning over your images. I definitely want to give this a go soon. Bookmarked! xx
Karen says
Aww, thanks SO much Laura, sometimes I get stuck in a “words” rut and forget to share what I am doing, so I decided to share my Sunday morning with you all! SO pleased you enjoyed the post, recipe and images too…….Karen 🙂
Tracy Nixon says
Another delicious recipe to try this weekend! Thanks
Karen says
Thanks so much Tracy!
Sarah, Maison Cupcake says
Definitely very French, I’m so pleased we have access to the full range of Maille flavours in the UK in their Piccadilly boutique. I like the sudden appearance of your cat peeping out!
Karen says
Thanks Sarah! I understand the Maille Boutique in London is amazing?I couldn’t attend a recent event, but remember your photos of it, I think they were your photos anyway!
Aurica says
that’s one great, amazing, excellent combination of fresh and natural and healthy ingredients that give you energy anytime of day, i love this recipe and i’m gonna try it 🙂
Karen says
Thanks so much Aurica! I hope you enjoy it!
London Unattached says
I love guinea fowl. It’s quite easy to quarter a whole one or a whole chicken. And actually the flavour seems better if you use a whole bird and joint it yourself, I have no idea why!
Karen says
Now there’s an idea Fiona! I often buy chickens to cut up myself, so why not Guinea fowl too?
Tracy Nixon says
Shared on Facebook today Karen thanks!
Karen says
Thanks Tracy!
Madeleine morrow says
I have plans to move in with you, Karen. Sounds so idyllic and pintade is one of my very favourites. Wonderful post!!
Karen says
Hahaha! Thanks Madeleine, we love pintade and this was a huge hit when I served it! Karen
Choclette says
Gorgeous picks and a lovely bit of writing – you certainly had me with you eager to make it back from the garden and into bed again.
Karen says
Thanks Choclette! I always feel that way when it’s cold!
Tina @ The Spicy Pear says
That is such a beautiful looking plate of food, very rustic. Sounds like you had a wonderful Sunday, with tea in bed followed by a delicious lunch. Never tried guinea fowl. What does it taste like?
Karen says
Thanks Tina! It tastes like chicken used to taste – not gamey, but with a very pronounced flavour – sort of half way between chicken and duck.
Louisa Foti says
A delicious recipe Karen! I love sauces like this and am a big Maille mustard fan, you just can’t beat them in the mustard stakes. Bet it was heavenly with the guinea fowl.
Karen says
Thanks Lou, and you are right, Maille mustard is top drawer!
Janie says
What a beautiful post Karen, and stunning recipe!
Janie x
Karen says
Thanks so much Janie 🙂 xxx
Morgan @ Peaches, Please! says
Wow, that sounds like heavenly lunch. My dad actually keeps guinea hens out at his place, but they’re more of the pet genre than dinner…
Karen says
They are actually VERY pretty birds Morgan and I hate to see them in “full feather” before eating them!
Fiona Matthews says
Oh my god… that looks fantastic.. I wouldnt have had a clue how to cook it.. and i’m not too sure even with instructions that guinea fowl is something a relative novice would want to tackle!
So.. i’ll just pop round to your place.. and i’ll trade my husband to do hard labour for that meal 🙂
Karen says
Thanks Fiona! Actually this is a very easy recipe to make and chicken makes a good substitute for guinea fowl too! Karen