“Bouchée à la Reine” is a beloved classic in Luxembourg’s cuisine. Traditionally made with chicken, mushrooms and sometimes veal, this dish combines French elegance with Luxembourgish comfort. Often served on festive occasions or as a hearty Sunday meal, it brings together flaky pastry and savoury filling in perfect harmony.
Bouchée à la Reine – Vol-au-Vent
- 1 large chicken for soup (±2.5 kg)
- 1 carrot
- ¼ celery root
- 1 leek
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 large onion
- Parsley root
- Parsley or chives (to garnish)
- Coarsely ground salt and pepper
- 1 tin of sliced mushrooms
- 2 lemons (juice)
- 200 g butter
- 200 g flour
- 500 ml cream
- 6 puff pastry shells (from a trusted baker)
- Cover the chicken with cold water and bring to the boil. Skim the foam from the surface. Add the vegetables and spices. Simmer over medium heat for 2 hours.
- Remove the chicken from the stock and leave to cool. Debone the chicken and cut the meat into small cubes. Strain the stock through a fine sieve and remove the fat.
- Prepare a roux with the butter and flour. Pour in about 1.5 l hot stock. Add the cream and lemon juice, then season to taste. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Check the consistency of the sauce and thin it with a little water or stock if necessary.
- Add the chicken and mushrooms, then bring to the boil.
- Fill the warmed puff pastry shells with the mixture. Garnish with parsley or chives if desired.
Bouchée à la Reine has more flavour if canned mushrooms are used instead of fresh ones. Depending on taste, you can also add cooked veal or sweetbreads to the chicken mixture.
