Away From The Madding Crowd

jwil

That chocolate is lovely!

Savvy_Sue

Humboldt said:

@Murphybear thank you for taking the time to share your simple pleasures.  Finding the joy in the every day things has been proven to have a profound impact on our happiness and wellbeing. 

Today's simple pleasure - I received my free sample of T0ny's chocolate, and very nice it was too.

Tony's chocolate: very ethical, and if you find yourself in Amsterdam, at least one of their shops has a very wide range of samples available: you crank a handle and it dispenses chunks! You can also invent your own flavour, which they'll make up for you (at a cost) in a few hours. 

Humboldt

@jwil the chocolate was indeed delicious.  It was a new to me brand, and having tried the sample, one that I would happily buy. 

@Savvy_Sue oh my goodness your description of the shop in Amsterdam made me instantly think of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. Excellent info, thanks for sharing. 

Today's simple pleasure - A ping meal later, so no cooking today.

Murphybear

Humboldt said:

@jwil the chocolate was indeed delicious.  It was a new to me brand, and having tried the sample, one that I would happily buy. 

@Savvy_Sue oh my goodness your description of the shop in Amsterdam made me instantly think of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. Excellent info, thanks for sharing. 

Today's simple pleasure - A ping meal later, so no cooking today.

I do love your expression “ping meal”.  It sums it up perfectly

Murphybear

Humboldt said:

@jwil the chocolate was indeed delicious.  It was a new to me brand, and having tried the sample, one that I would happily buy. 

@Savvy_Sue oh my goodness your description of the shop in Amsterdam made me instantly think of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. Excellent info, thanks for sharing. 

Today's simple pleasure - A ping meal later, so no cooking today.

Sadly as I am diabetic chocolate has to be a rare pleasure.  My favourite foodie simple pleasure is Marmite crisps

Humboldt

Morning all.

@Murphybear when cooking from scratch, I often make enough for two meals.  The next day I reheat the extra portions in the microwave, hence the term 'ping meal'.  Those who cook from scratch will know that it can be time consuming, but I find this method provides some balance.  Cutting energy costs is an additional bonus. 

Marmite - you either love it, or hate it.  I am not a fan, but do use it to provide a background flavour in some meals.  In fact, chicken and bacon casserole with crispy rosemary dumplings is on next weeks menu, and marmite is one of the key ingredients. 

Today's simple pleasure - I have begun to put feed on the bird table again, and it is a joy to watch the birds whilst eating my breakfast (warming porridge, chopped apple, and cinnamon this morning).

jwil

Ooh chicken and bacon casserole sounds lovely - would you mind sharing your recipe please?

Humboldt

jwil said:

Ooh chicken and bacon casserole sounds lovely - would you mind sharing your recipe please?

@jwil it is a lovely autumn/winter recipe, one that I would call a 'treat', because I am avoiding some  of the ingredients i.e. suet and salty marmite, for health reasons.  However, I am cooking for friends, and what is life without a few treats now and again.  

Chicken & bacon casserole with crispy rosemary dumplings – serves 4.

4-6 smoked streaky bacon rashers

4-6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

2 tbsp olive oil

1 sweet potato (about 200g), peeled and cut into 2cm cubes (I add extra)

2 carrots, roughly chopped

8 pickling onions, peeled (or just chop an onion)

2 tbsp plain flour

2 tsp Bovril or Marmite

1 tsp tomato puree

300ml dry white wine

½ chicken stock cube

2 tbsp fresh chopped coriander (optional, but nice)

Dumplings

225g self-raising flour

100g shredded suet

2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary (can use dried)

1 egg, beaten

1.      Preheat the oven to 180/Gas 4/Fan 160 from cold.  Wrap a bacon rasher around each chicken thigh and secure with a cocktail stick (or tightly tuck under the chicken).  Season.

2.      Heat the oil and fry the sweet potato and carrot for 8-10 mins.  When browned, remove and drain. Add the onions to the pan and cook for about 5 mins until brown all over. Remove the onions, then cook the chicken until browned on all sides. Remove from the heat.

3.      Transfer the vegetables to a flameproof casserole and stir in the flour.  Add about 600ml boiling water, then stir in the Bovril/Marmite, tomato puree, wine and stock cube, and season. Top with the chicken and bring to the boil.  Cover and put in the oven for about 20 mins, then remove.

4.      Mix the dumpling ingredients with just enough water (about 5-6 tbsp’s) to form a smooth, tight dough.  Knead well. Roll into 8 balls and add to the casserole.  Bake, uncovered, for 35 mins until the dumplings are browned, swollen and crisp. Remove the sticks from the chicken, and sprinkle with coriander.

A good tip for nicely crisp dumplings – when you think they are done, give them another 5 minutes.  Enjoy.

jwil

This sounds lovely - thank you!  

Willow1983

Sound lovely Humboldt, question do you put the egg in the dumplings? I’ve never heard of that before 😊