Gardeners Chicken

My new year resolution to shop more locally got off to a good start as I investigated our nearest butchers - 3.6 miles away in Swanton Morley (local is a relative term in this bit of Norfolk).  As far as possible their meat is produced in the county. It's a really friendly shop which has a little deli at the back.  I bought a lovely chicken from them which formed the basis of Gardeners Chicken one of the January recipes in the 1974 cookery year.  Mr Vitty really didn't like this recipe (although I thought it was quite nice).  Its a chicken casserole with potatoes, turnips (which I couldn't get so substiuted with swede) and bacon.  The chicken is cooked on the bone which meant that Mr Vitty had to dissect his food, something he hates doing - no matter how good it tastes.

The flavours of this stew were quite simple and classic, with few herbs or spices compared with a modern equivalent. The sauce was also quite thin.  I'd happily eat it again, but I don't think Mr Vitty will.

Ingredients:

1 Chicken jointed into portions
50g Streaky Bacon with the rind cut off and diced
2 large onions thinly sliced
2 sticks celery diced
125g Mushrooms
50g Unsalted Butter
500g New Potatoes
250g Turnips or Swede diced
Tin of Tomatoes
Bouquet Garni (I used Bay, Thyme and Rosemary)
Salt and Pepper
Parsley
Orange Rind

Method:

In a large casserole dish brown the chicken and bacon in the butter.  Remove from the pan and soften the onions, celery and mushrooms in the remaining juices.  Place the chicken on the bed of vegetables and add the potatoes and diced turnips.  Tip in the tin of tomatoes and season with salt and pepper and the bouquet garni.  Seal the casserole with tin foil to prevent any steam escaping and put the lid on the casserole dish.  Cook in a pre heated oven at 150 C for about an hour and a half or until the chicken is well cooked and falling off the bone.  Before serving sprinkle over the parsley and finely grated rind of half an orange. 

I took the leftovers for lunch at work and just took the chicken off the bone so it was easy to microwave.