Poussin is a small, young chicken with a mild flavour, brought to life by a sauce containing three varieties of mustard in this recipe. Taking less than an hour to prepare and worthy of a celebration, it makes a brilliant main course for a dinner party.

1. Begin by preparing the three mustard sauce. Fry the shallots in a little oil for 2-3 min without colouring. Then, add the mushrooms and cook for a further 1-2 min.

2. Add the white wine and chicken stock and bring to the boil, then simmer over a high heat until the liquor reduces by a half.

3. Mix the cornflour with the water to form a paste. Stir in the double cream and while simmering, stir in the diluted cornflour. Simmer for a further 1-2 min to cook out the cornflour.

4. Remove from the heat and add the three mustards and salt to season. Set aside until ready to serve.

5. To prepare the poussin, spatchcock the birds by removing the ribcage, breast bone and large amount of fat and excess skin from around the neck. Be sure to leave as much skin intact as possible.

6. Gently score the skin with a sharp knife, cutting diagonally into the skin 3-4 lines across. This will improve the presentation of the chickens when they are fried.

7. Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4.

8. In a heavy-based, ovenproof saucepan, fry the chicken, skin-side down, over a high heat until golden brown. Turn the chicken over and cook for a further 1-2 min.

9. Transfer the pan to the oven and cook for a further 12-15 min.

10. Meanwhile, heat up the sauce in a pan. Cook the broccoli in salted boiling water for 4 min. Drain and toss the broccoli through a small amount of the three mustard sauce until coated.

11. Divide the long-stem broccoli between 4 plates and top with the seared poussin. Pour the sauce over the poussin and garnish with some chives and chervil. Serve. immediately