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The weather has turned and the chilled air flowing in off the Atlantic sea has everyone reaching for sweaters. The summer remains elusive as another cold front wafts in over the Cape. It is time to light the fires and to make dinner.
I want something warming and unctuous to feed my guests. In the fridge I have mushrooms, chicken, some good quality cream, garden fresh broccoli stems and in the pantry,the thin skinned potatoes which I picked up from the market. All of these items will produce a dinner that everyone will enjoy. It is also fuss free, easy, which leaves me with time to mingle before serving dinner.
Here is the recipe
Chicken & Mushrooms with Sherry Cream Sauce
Serves 6
Ingredients
2 packets of chicken portions
25 g butter
25 ml olive oil
2 onions finely diced
200 g shitake mushrooms sliced
250 ml dry sherry
250 ml chicken stock
4 cloves of garlic peeled and crushed
1 Tablespoon fresh Thyme finely chopped
1 Tablespoon fresh Parsley finely chopped
½ Tablespoon fresh Rosemary finely chopped
1 bay leaf
120 ml pouring cream
Salt and pepper
Method
Heat the butter and olive oil in pot or casserole dish a large enough to comfortably incorporate all the chicken pieces.
Sauté the chicken until golden brown, remove and set aside. Sauté the onions and mushrooms until softened, then add the chicken, the herbs and bay leaf, garlic and dry sherry. Let simmer until the alcohol smell has dissipated; about 5 minutes, then add the chicken stock.
Bring up to heat, then turn down to a simmer and cook for about 45 minutes and the liquid has reduced by half. Add the cream, season with salt and pepper and cook for another 14-20 minutes. Check the seasoning.
Serve with boiled potatoes or rice and broccoli or a green salad
Tip: if after the cooking process the sauce is too runny, slake 2 tsps. of cornflour in 2 tablespoons water and stir into the sauce to thicken. cook for another 5 minutes.