How to Braise, the Lazy Way
To continue, if you want the taste of a slow-braised dish but don't have the time to deal with it, try my method for "lazy braising." It's lazy because I skip the searing step. It's braising because it's a moist cooking method done in a covered pot at a low simmer. Feel like "lazy" is too negative? Call it an easy braising method, if you'd like:)
Interested, dear friends? Then, please, continue...
Thanks to Tower Girl for the above pic. Find her photostream here.
Why Lazy Braising?
A braise is usually a combination cooking method. First, you sear, then you simmer. If you're doing it the lazy way, skip the sear--it will still taste wonderful.
Pros and Cons of the Sear
If you skip the sear, what you lose in depth of flavor, you'll make up for in time. On a weeknight, I'll choose the time, thank you very much. Enjoy your lazy braise!
The Way of the Lazy Braise
The Path of Least Resistance
So, you are cold and hungry and feeling lazy? This is the perfect method for you! Here are the minimal, magical ingredients you should always have on hand for when the it's a lazy braizy day:You probably have most of these ingredients on hand anyway. Perhaps you look at them and despair because the chicken is frozen or because you're not sure how to put those elements together into a finished dish. Fear not, and read on.
Here's what you do. I promise, it's not hard.
- Heat your pan.
- Peel and chop the onion.
- Put oil in the pan.
- Saute the onions (garlic, too, if you want)
- Add canned tomatoes and chicken broth.
- Heat to boiling; reduce heat to a simmer.
- Tuck raw chicken under the broth in the pan and cover.
- Bring to a boil. Uncover and reduce to a simmer.
- Season as desired.
- Serve over rice, noodles, with veggies--whatever.
This is the basic, skeleton method for a lazy braise. Here's one of my favorites. It doesn't have a name, but I'll give it one.
Curried Chicken and Chickpeas
- Heat pan.
- Chop onion and garlic.
- Add oil to pan. Wait until hot.
- Add onion and garlic to pan and saute.
- Add dry curry powder, coriander and cumin. Maybe a splash more oil.
- Add a can of drained chickpeas, a can of diced tomatoes and enough chicken broth to make it "brothy."
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Heat to a boil.
- Tuck in chicken thighs, cover and heat to boil.
- Reduce heat to gentle simmer, partially cover and cook until chicken is done and easily pulled apart with a fork.
- Remove lid to led sauce reduce a little. Throw in a squeeze of lemon juice and some cilantro at the end.
- Serve with brown rice and a nice green veggie.
And there you have it, friends. Please, have fun with this technique and don't be afraid to experiment with different flavors and ingredients. Still feeling a little shy about lazy braising? Read on for some nice flavor combinations and my Tex-Mex version of lazy braising.
Is Searing Important to a Braise
Which side do you come down on?
Is the searing step necessary when braising?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byAbsolutely! It's not a braise without the sear.
Hey, in lazy braising, saving some time is the name of the game. Save the sear for when you have the time.
jenn_halls says:
I am happy to finally learn what braising actually means- sounds easy and fast. Thank you!
Posted February 17, 2009
Braised Beef Ribs in Wine
PS He uses a Very Lot of dried rosemary. I think he got a little gung ho, personally.
A Must-Have for Lazy Braising
Cuisinart Multiclad Pro Stainless 5-1/2-Quart Saute with Helper and Cover
Amazon Price: $79.95 (as of 12/04/2009)
This saute pan is made of a layer of conductive aluminum clad with stainless steel. It heats quickly, thanks to the aluminum, but it is non-reactive with acidic ingredients, thanks to the stainless steel. The handles are very sturdy, and the all-metal construction is oven safe.
Braising Equipment
Here's some stuff that you'll need.
Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless 3-1/2-Quart Saute Pan with Helper Handle & Cover
A bit smaller than the spotlight model, but just as well put together.
Amazon Price: $54.95 (as of 12/04/2009)
Mario Batali 13-Inch Flat End Spoon, Solid Beechwood
The flat end of this spoon makes it great for deglazing, and it won't scratch your pans.
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Oxo Good Grips Large Wooden Spoon
Wooden spoons are great--you can leave them in the pot, and the handles don't get hot.
Amazon Price: $6.09 (as of 12/04/2009)
Mountain Woods 2 Piece Trivet
If you serve your braise right in the pot you cooked it in, you'll need a trivet to protect your table.
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 12/04/2009)
Oxo Good Grips Silicone Oven Mitt with Magnet, Blue
A good oven mitt(s) is an essential piece of safety equipment.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/04/2009)
Here's my favorite link:
Books on Braising and Stewing
The pictures alone will make you hungry!
All About Braising: The Art of Uncomplicated Cooking
Amazon Price: $23.10 (as of 12/04/2009)
The Cookware Cookbook: Great Recipes for Broiling, Steaming, Boiling, Poaching, Braising, Deglazing, Frying, Simmering, and sauteing
Amazon Price: (as of 12/04/2009)
Braises and Stews: Everyday Slow-Cooked Recipes
Amazon Price: $15.61 (as of 12/04/2009)
Braise: A Journey Through International Cuisine
Amazon Price: (as of 12/04/2009)
Casseroles: (casserole cooking and braising)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/04/2009)
When Braising, Don't Forget:
Simmer, don't boil. A braise, even a lazy braise, needs to be done relatively slowly. So what if you have to wait 30 minutes instead of 10? Pour yourself a nice glass of wine and cook some rice while you wait!
Mouth Watering Braising Goodness
If weren't hungry before, you will be, now.
A picture is worth a thousand words, so take a look at these beautiful braises. They come from all cultures, but they all get there low and slow!
(092/365) Cooking.
Moroccan stew at Hen...
もつ煮込
酸菜鱼 Preserved...
Dinner Cooking
Chickpea, butternut...
ButternutSquash2
ButternutSquash3
ChoppingPotatoes
Turkey Soup
It Is Excellent Soup
The Tex-Mex Lazy Braise
Or, chicken chili, if you'd prefer
This is the same technique described above. I just switched out some ingredients to give it a more Tex-Mex feel. This is by no means an authentic Mexican (or even Tex-Mex) dish. It is just inspired by those flavors.
Here's what you do. Most of this will look very familiar:
- Heat pan.
- Chop onions and garlic.
- Put oil in the pan and heat.
- Saute onions and garlic. Add cumin, salt and pepper and chili powder. Stir until spices are fragrant.
- Deglaze with a few splashes of beer.
- Add a couple of cans of RoTel, a can of black beans and some chicken broth. Heat to boiling.
- Reduce heat to a simmer.
- Tuck raw chicken under tomato mixture. Cover and heat to a boil again.
- Reduce heat and keep at a low simmer until chicken shreds easily with a fork.
- Add a splash of lime juice and some fresh cilantro at the end.
And there you have it. A Tex-Mex twist on a lazy braise!
No Reason Not to Braise in a Crock Pot
The crock pot has long been maligned as "not real cooking," but crock pots are perfect for braising. They provide low, even heat with a lid to keep moisture in. Throw everything in the pot in the morning, turn it on, and come back to dinner. If you got rid of the one that you got for your wedding, please get a new one.This model holds 5.5 quarts and is programmable. The insert and lid are both dishwasher safe, making clean up stress free, just like dinner!
Check it Out--Braised Chicken Tenders
Braising Flavor Profiles
A Handy Guide to World Flavors
You've seen the basic lazy braise, the curried version and the Tex-Mex version. Here is a handy guide of flavors that go nicely together to evoke a certain cuisine.
Thanks to Darwin Bell for the top picture. See the photostream here.
You'll Need Some Jaunty Braising Clothes
Other Chicken and Braising Lenses
Swing by these lenses to see what others are doing with chicken.
- Chicken Recipes
- Recipes from Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Gravy to Honey Mustard Chicken.
- Chicken Recipes
- Chicken recipes, chicken cookbooks. Chicken, chicken, chicken!
- Delicious Roast Chicken
- A great lens with a recipe for roasting free range chicken.
- The Absolute Best Chicken Marsala Recipe
- A classic braised dish, this chicken marsala recipe lens belongs here.
- Easy and Delicious Chicken Piccata Recipe
- A wonderful lens focused on the classic Chicken Piccata
Braised Chicken with Chick Peas and Onion
Please Give to Those Less Fortunate
The Food For Everyone Foundation's mission is to teach and assist families everywhere to grow successful and sustainable vegetable gardens, and really enjoy the experience.
Anyone Tweeting About Braising?
You Betcha!
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- breizh2008
- is listening to PODCAST "C Hondelatte et ses polémistes" by RTL 011209. Duhamel, Macescaron, Mercier, Braisé.
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- chrisleong
- Getting some hot HK food to warm myself up. Good braise lamb noodle soup (@ Hong Kong Food City) http://bit.ly/63Bc23
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- legolandbridge
- Coq au vin is a French braise of chicken cooked with wine, lardons, mushrooms, and optionally garlic. fyi.
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- pascarole
- je vais manger de la pizza boeuf braisé / chorizo dans 10 minutes. La tradition est respectée,non ?
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- topgrossemerde
- Une Grosse Queue Black Ravage Une Nympho: Petits seins bien fermes et regard de braise, cette magnifique brune n'a... http://bit.ly/5EcoE6
Comments or Questions about Braising?
Would love to hear what you think!
Please, weigh in with your own ideas about braising or just to give feedback on the lens. Thanks!
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- jfield jfield Sep 3, 2009 @ 10:14 am | in reply to AppalachianCountry
- Glad you find the information useful. Thanks for stopping by and for commenting:)
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- AppalachianCountry AppalachianCountry Sep 3, 2009 @ 10:08 am
- Wow, thank-you for all the great tips. This a fantastic lens. 5 stars*****
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- Joan4 Joan4 Apr 23, 2009 @ 6:54 am
- Everything looks so good! And I learned something too! You might make a good cook out of me after all!
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- OhMe OhMe Apr 23, 2009 @ 6:20 am
- Lazy Braising sounds right up my alley. Thank you for all this great info.
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- chefkeem chefkeem Jan 23, 2009 @ 11:30 am
- Great job in explaining this fabulous technique, Chef. Your personal touch is always the best part of your topics. 5*s and a hearty SquidAngel Blessing! :-)
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by jfield
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