One of the best parts of cooking is trying out rich, delicious ingredients. Using the right ingredients can bring my favorite meals to the next level. The other weekend, I was swooning over the fruity, fancy vinegars in the local specialty olive oil shop. When Maille contacted me about doing a taste test, I eagerly anticipated trying out new flavors in cooking. Getting to cook with these high quality ingredients was a real treat. The three ingredients I received were the Dijon Originale mustard, the Honey Dijon Mustard, and the Aged Balsamic Vinegar de Modena. Check out the three different ways I included Maille in my everyday meals for a new, gourmet flavor.

Give Every Meal An Elegant Touch and a Gourmet Flavor with Maille

Thomas Keller-Inspired French Breakfast

One of my all time favorite breakfast meals is the poached egg, asparagus, and prosciutto from Thomas Keller’s French Laundry cookbook. On a relaxed Sunday morning, my husband surprised me with this meal before taking me and the kids hiking at a local nature conservancy. It was such a nice, impromptu gesture. With Mother’s Day coming up on Sunday, May 8th, it was thoughtful to see his appreciation when it was least expected. Even though I woke up with a to do list racing through my mind, by midday, this gesture completely won me over, and I was giddily soaking in the sun’s rays and the fresh, spring air.

This was the best breakfast I’ve ever had. Each egg was perfectly poached. The mixture of the egg yolk and the vinegar was delicious. I loved the subtly, fruity taste of the vinegar. Usually, when I buy inexpensive balsamic vinegar, it has a bitter, unbearably sour aftertaste. This vinegar had a richness that left a pleasant, sweet aftertaste. When you’re cooking a nice meal, using the right ingredients makes it well worth your time!

Sautéed Chicken Breast with Dijon Mustard

Although work nights are busy, I enjoy preparing a thoughtful meal for my family. Inspiration to cook comes from having the best, most flavorful ingredients. Dijon Originale mustard has a creamy, rich taste with a slight edge you would expect from mustard, but the high quality, centuries old process of making this mustard makes it mellow and not tart. It has a smooth and tangy aftertaste.

Making a simple meal is the key to happiness on a busy evening. In less than an hour, I made a simple, delicious chicken meal that the whole family could enjoy. After cleaning and cutting the chicken into strips, I added some salt, pepper, and garlic. Then, I tossed it in the mustard and some honey. I added a few tablespoons of olive oil to a hot pan and waited for the oil to bubble before adding the chicken.

I checked that that there was plenty of space between each strip of chicken. When the chicken was brown on each side, I moved it and put it on a plate. I removed the excess oil from the pan. Then, I added some chicken broth and a couple tablespoons of half and half. Since I had some diced, cooked onions on hand from another dish, I tossed them in to add some additional flavor to the meal. The sauce thickened and became a creamy, brown color.

When the sauce was ready, I stirred the chicken back in to coat it in the delicious flavor. The mustard stood out nicely in the sauce and added a vibrant flavor. Cooking this dish was simple! Even on a hectic day, I enjoyed staying in the kitchen to make this meal. I paired the main course with a spinach and onion Italian arborio rice dish. The combination was delicious.

Breaded Chicken Tenders with Honey Dijon

My final meal is one of the simplest dishes to make. Since I have two kids under age seven and a husband who loves all-American food, chicken tenders and honey mustard sauce are a classic in my household. In the past, I’ve sampled store-bought honey mustard, but the flavor was poor quality. Usually, I prepare a homemade honey mustard, which takes a lot of time to get just right. The Honey Dijon mustard from Maille had a taste so good that even my kids enjoyed it.

These three meals all have varying levels of difficulty, but they have one thing in common. Maille brought the flavor in each dish to an entirely new level. Simply knowing that these delicious condiments are in my kitchen makes me want to come up with new, creative dishes. What’s your favorite meal to make with mustard or balsamic vinegar? Share in the comments section below!

Disclosure

I received a free item, but it in no way influenced my opinion!

JJ Johnson April 22, 2016

I do like Maille product I find the mustard very flavourful.

Kelly April 26, 2016

This looks so good! I love using balsamic on lots of dishes like cous cous or as a dressing with olive oil.

Lakisha April 26, 2016

I’ve never tried the Mallie or the mustard but I’ll look for it on my next trip. I love trying new flavors.

Amy Scott April 26, 2016

My favorite breakfast too! That chicken looks divine. I’ve never used these products before so may give them a try. Always on the hunt for new recipes and ideas.

Beth April 26, 2016

The cooking ingredients sound delicious! I can’t wait to try each of them. The photos look fabulous. I’m not really a chef, but I’m willing to try!

-Beth
http://www.The StyleBouquet.com

Izabela April 26, 2016

That chicken breasts with dijon mustard looks so yummy.

Amanda April 27, 2016

Mmm…I love Honey Dijon Mustard and those Breaded Chicken Tenders are making me drool!

suchitra April 27, 2016

This looks super Delish! never tried using Dijon mustard! Will try it now!:)

Agnes April 28, 2016

I love Dijon and balsamic vinegar. Will try this recipe!

Marlene April 28, 2016

These are great ideas and the pairing you did with the chicken, I must try it out. Do not use this product – but will purchase this brand when I run out – want to try it with the eggs – you made it sound SO yummy!!!!