The chicken casserole is definitely one of the unsung heroes of the food world.
After all, casseroles check a lot of boxes – the epitome of classic winter comfort food, generally budget friendly and, gleefully, ‘thrown together’ with little mess and even less fuss.
Here are three of my favourite twists on this grand old duke of dinners:
I like to think of this one-pot-wonder as a kind of slow-cooked miracle. You have the spicy robustness of the chorizo (which may technically be where the Spanish-ness starts and finishes), the silkiness of the slow-cooked onions and then the good old dependable roast chicken pieces.
Add to this the light, yet deliciously cheesy dumplings and it’s pretty close to perfection on a plate, if I may be so bold. The ultimate in happy-making winter weekend food – that I shall unashamedly be cooking again and again.
There are beautiful pictures here and the recipe here.
This casserole has attitude. Who doesn’t love the kick that a good dose of cumin brings to liven things up a bit?
Just the smell is transporting, and served with this exotic pomegranate couscous you’re in for a cracking good time.
The spice list looks a little bit lengthy, but they’re mostly kitchen staples which I hope you’ll have at hand. If not, a quick trip to the closest spice shop or even Pick ‘n Pay will set you right.
There are beautiful pictures here and the recipe here.
I think that tarragon is something that is often overlooked – well, certainly in South Africa anyway.
Call this an updated twist on your good old classic chicken casserole if you like, but with the added elegance that this favourite French herb adds to everything it meets.
There are beautiful pictures here and the recipe here.
Bon appetit!