Chicken Salad In A Creamy Chive And Lovage Dressing - cooking recipe

Ingredients

Dressing
2 shallots, peeled and finely chopped
100 ml glass white wine
100 ml double cream
2 tablespoons of chopped fresh chives
1 -2 tablespoon of chopped fresh lovage (Or celery leaves)
1/2 lemon, juice of
150 g thick full fat creme fraiche
salt and pepper
Salad
cold cooked chicken, diced (Approx 400g)
lettuce, to serve
flowering chives and lovage (to garnish)

Preparation

Dressing: Chop the shallots, place in a pan with white wine & boil to reduce liquid by two thirds. Add the cream and bring back to the boil. then & pour into a clean container. Add the chives, lovage and lemon juice and set aside.
When the dressing is cool, gently mix it with the creme fraiche. Check the seasoning and adjust to taste.
Place the chopped chicken pieces in a bowl and add the creamy lovage dressing, mixing well, Serve on a bed of lettuce with a few chives, chive flowers and some chopped lovage leaves as a garnish - some crusty French bread would also be a wonderful accompaniment!
For picnics: Put the chicken and lovage salad into a sealed container and keep in the fridge until you need to pack your hamper. Pack your lettuce and garnishes separately and garnish the salad it when you have arrived at your picnic spot. Serve as a sandwich filling or with crusty bread - don't forget to pack your knives and forks!