Chicken and Mushroom Stew

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs Chicken breast, cubed
  • 1 Sweet onion, diced
  • 4 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 2-3 Russet Potatoes, cubed
  • 8oz Mushrooms, sliced
  • 4 cups Chicken Broth or Stock
  • About 1/8 cup cashews, chopped
  • 1/4 cup Red Wine
  • 1/4 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1/8 tsp ground Thyme
  • 1 Tbs fresh Rosemary, roughly chopped
  • 1 tsp dried Parsley
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Pepper
  • 1/4 cup AP Flour
  • Olive Oil
  • Heavy Cream

Directions:

Add about 2 Tbs olive oil to a large pot or Dutch Oven over Medium High heat. When the oil is hot, add chicken to pot and season lightly with some salt and pepper, toss to coat and smooth the chicken to cover the bottom of the pot in one even layer. Allow to cook for about 5 minutes, then flip the chicken pieces with tongs. Cook chicken for another 3-4 minutes and remove to a separate bowl with a slotted spoon.

To the pot, add the onion, garlic, and potatoes to whatever liquid is left over from the chicken and coat the vegetables in it. If the pot is dry, add a little more olive oil. Cook roughly 6-8 minutes before adding the sliced Mushrooms. Continue to cook until the mushrooms release the liquid into the pot, return the chicken and any liquid in the bowl back into the pot.

Add the flour, measured salt and pepper, and the herbs and spices listed above. Toss to coat and cook another 3-4 minutes, until the flour looks cooked and everything is nicely coated. Pour the wine into the pot and stir, scraping up anything stuck to the bottom of the pot. Pour over the chicken broth and stir, adding the cashews as you do so.

Bring the stew to a simmer, and reduce the heat low enough to maintain the simmer. Cook the stew for 20 minutes. Add a splash of heavy cream to the stew, and warm through. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed and serve.

“Meatloaf” Burgers

  • 1 lb ground beef (I use ground round)
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, plain
  • 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/8 tsp oregano
  • 1/4 tsp dried parsley
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 Tbs whole milk

Using clean, dry hands, combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Pinch off large handfuls and roll, then press into burger patties. I always press a dimple into one side of the patty with a knuckle to help prevent the burger curling while it cooks. Heat over grill, in a pan or on a griddle until burger is cooked to preference (I usually cook 3 to 4 minutes per side), then let rest about 10 minutes on a serving plate.

* Sometimes I add 1/2 tsp dried onion and 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce as well for added flavor*