Peasant Chicken Recipes

FRENCH PEASANT CHICKEN STEW

Steps:

• In 4-quart saucepan, mix all ingredients except peas and chicken.
• Heat to boiling over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover; simmer about 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
• Stir in peas and chicken. Cover; simmer about 5 minutes or until peas are tender.

PEASANT-STYLE POT ROASTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 160 degrees centigrade.
• You'll need a large lidded pot (big enough to hold a whole chicken).
• Start by putting a little olive oil in the bottom of the pot. Then line the bottom with the bread slices. Sprinkle the bacon, garlic, chopped celery & carrots and whatever herbs you choose over the bread. This is forming a base for the chicken to sit on, and will later become the gravy.
• Rub salt & pepper over the chicken, then place it on top of the bread & vegetables.
• Place the carrots, onions & potatoes around the sides.
• Pour the wine and stock over the top.
• Cover & place in oven for approximately 2 hours. Check for doneness of both chicken & veg.
• Remove the chicken and large vegetable chunks to an oven-proof dish, turn off the oven and place the dish back inside to keep warm while you finish off the gravy.
• Leaving the gravy/veg mixture in the original pot, use a hand-held food processor to completely liquidise it, then bring it to a boil and simmer to reduce and thicken it. You can add a touch of cream at the very end if you'd like.
• Carve the chicken (which will be practically falling off the bone anyway) & serve with the vegetables and gravy, along with some crusty bread.