Cooking Chicken with Colin….

Before we start let’s get a few things clear here, No there’s not another man in my life, I’m quite content Thank You 😁,. That sorted now i will carry on,… It had I’m ashamed to say got to thursday last and I had put off cooking for myself for quite long enough, resorting most nights to one of my many slimming world microwave dinners, which I actually love by the way, but every now and again I like the idea of the whole home cooked meal thing ..So to this effect I raided my freezer, this never takes long as it’s just a wee box type affair….there wasn’t really much choice to be had, when it came right down to it…it was either something in a chicken dish or Fish fingers, As I had already decided that whatever culinary delight I was about to conjured up was to be made via my trusty slow cooker(crockpot) I really couldn’t for the life of me think slow cooked fish fingers would erm quite fit the bill, somehow the image of pieces of white fish floating in a bright orange sauce didn’t set my taste buds a quiver…

So instead i defrosted two fairly large chicken breasts, while myself and Jess set about finding a recipe that not only appealed but fit both our requirements….Jess went through his large folder of accrued chicken meals….this actually takes longer than the actual preparing the ingredients 😁, but over a coffee or three we finally narrowed it down to two recipes, both are a favourite for us ….But as I only had all the ingredients for one in particular, this settled it….(Drum roll pleaseeeee, the winner of tonight’s prize menu award wasssss Mustard chicken!!!!…..

We in our usual Manner decided to adapt said recipe to fit our tastebuds, the other basic necessity being one of not having to stand half a hour in a hot kitchen over the stove… So here’s how it went…..By the way I must elaborate now..Colin is my shiny red slow cooker., Having dragged Colin out of his corner, dusted him off, we began…

Firstly make up a flour dredge…this is a dredge folks not to be confused with a drudge….slow cookers are here to prevent such happenings, cooking should not only be tasty but fun 😁 ………The Dredge.. For this I used Corn flour, it’s just what was in and most convenient for me but you can use any plain flour really…to this add, A spoon of Dried Basil, Thyme, Rosemary, mixed herbs,. the recipe didn’t call for it but I added a pinch of Paprika just to spice things up a little,, a teaspoon of Black pepper, teaspoon of salt….mix well ..

Take your breasts.(This is the chicken breasts 😁) dredge or coat thoroughly in flour mix,(Save left over dredge for later)…. in the meantime, heat a skillet( frying pan) with a little olive oil or vegetable if you have that…sesame oil is also good too….place the breast in the oil(again just to reiterate this is the chicken breast, (don’t want any Mrs or Mr Doubt Fire happenings in my watch😁) Cook each side for five minutes or until a golden brown…take out the pan and place on a plate to one side…..in the same oil add one chopped red onion(myself and Jess both prefer two) Sliced mushrooms, again we use a whole Punnet because we love them,( plus we are greedy) 😁, add garlic to taste…my taste goes along the grain of four cloves of Black garlic, three white…yup no vampires dare enter this abode, plus their not sharing my food..mmmhmmm, shakes head…add a cup of chicken stock, (a measuring cup) of white wine, keep a glass for slurping while you cook, or two depending on your requirements 😁, I for once forgot my manners and drank from the bottle….I know 😁,, back to the recipe, half a cup of heavy cream or if your watching your diet, fat free Greek yogurt, two table spoons of Mustard and one of whole grain or Dijon mustard…stir regularly until mushrooms and onions soften and everything’s well heated through …

Put your chicken breast in the bottom of the crockpot, ( Colin), pour your sauce over the chicken,making sure it’s well covered, set the timer on high for four hours or low for six. Go and binge watch something on tv, about an hour before finish, check to see if your sauce is as thick as you like it…if not add some of your dredge mix to a couple of tablespoons of cream or yogurt….add this to your crock pot stirring in well and leave another hour….

The end result was a gorgeous thick creamy mushroom sauce, with a slight Mustard kick, chicken was soft and fell apart, I served mine with sweetcorn, beans, and peas..I had enough left over for the next days dinner….really was an easy tasty meal….

Recipe for those interested….this can be either cooked in a crockpot or skillet….

2 x Good sized breasts….Chicken 😁

Dredge….plain flour….Spoon of Rosemary, Basil, Thyme, mixed herbs, salt, pepper, mix well

For the sauce…after removing browned chicken breasts from the pan,. add one or two either chopped or sliced onions,, Garlic to taste, two cups of sliced mushrooms or more to taste, measuring cup of white wine…..1/2 cup of heavy cream or low fat Greek yogurt, if your cooking your chicken fully in the skillet return and cover with sauce put on a lid and simmer…..There’s enough here for two days meals depending on if your hungry or not….enough for two people depending on how much you like them or not 😁……