Monday 8 October 2012

Freaky chicken breasts

Hey, well-known-supermarket, when did you start selling chicken breasts in packs of 3? Have scientists secretly bred a 3-breasted bird? It's very inconvenient for the nuclear family.

Roast chicken with creamed leeks


Tonight we are eating roast chicken breast, creamed leeks, carrots and corn on the cob. You can do most of that without my help, but if you've never had creamed leeks before I'll talk you through it.

I used 3 medium leeks, a good size knob of butter, a tablespoon of flour and some milk (any kind). Put the butter and finely sliced leeks into a pan and cook slowly until bright green and tender:

leeks cooking in a pan with wooden spoon

Keep the heat low-medium, add the flour and stir well. Gradually add the milk, stirring all the time, until it boils and the mixtures thickens to your desired consistency. You can also add some grated cheese if you have a bit that needs using up.

This will be enough to liven up what would otherwise be a dreary meal. Your family will be so delighted with the cheerful combination of bright green, yellow and orange on their plate that they will eat it all, without complaint (no guarantees).

For pudding, tempt them with some fruit served with a dip made of creme fraiche and maple syrup.

Fresh fruit with maple-syrup cream


Simply mix together some creme fraiche and maple syrup until it is nice and sweet, and serve in individual ramekins with a plate of cut up fruit. Put it back in the fridge to chill if you have time.

That's Monday done.

6 comments:

  1. I do something similliar with my leeks but instead of flour/milk i use double cream and just let it bubble away and reduce slightly. Needs lots of FGBP and salt. Gorgeous with roast lamb. I have just made Bill Graingers easy oven baked risotto.....have eaten too much and can't move now!

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  2. ......and by the way...... I have always found the four packs of chicken breasts incredibly irritating. Mind you, I am quite sure the well known supermarket is charging the same price for three as it did for four......

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  3. Exactly my thoughts about the 3-breast-packets. Sneaky.

    Your leeks sound fab, and you have reminded me that my granny used to cook onions in white sauce with lamb. The onions could have been roasted, but I remember it all being very pale. It was superb, and I will think about re-creating it. She also used to serve marrow with white sauce. That makes me feel sick, even now.

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  4. Oh my goodness we had onion sauce with lamb.... It makes my mouth water thinking about it. No one (apart from you) has ever heard of it. My creamy leeks is v similar and delicious..... In fact i think i got the idea from Mrs G.

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