Chicken Cobbler

As someone who spent his childhood through mid-teens in Uruguay, the beef capital of the world, chicken was not a favorite growing up. After coming to the US, however, I finally discovered the delights of poultry; the following recipe – which my mother used to make – is more than worthy of being shared:

Chicken Cobbler

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite size chunks
• 2 tbsp margarine
• 1 large leek, sliced
• 2 scallions, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 orange bell pepper seeded and chopped
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
• 3/4 cup white wine
• 3/4 cup chicken stock
• 1 bay leaf
• salt and pepper to taste

Cobbler Topping

• 1 1/2 cups self rising flour plus extra for dusting
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
• pinch of salt
• 3 tsp margarine
• 5 tbsp soy milk

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Put the flour in a bowl with salt and pepper  to taste. Add the chicken  and toss the flour to coat. Reserve any remaining flour.
3. Melt the margarine with the oil in a large flameproof casserole, add the chicken  and cook, stirring, until the chicken is browned all over. Lift out with a slotted spoon, transfer to a plate and set aside.
4. Add the leek, scallions and garlic to the casserole and cook over medium heat, stirring for 2 minutes, until softened. Add the carrots and bell pepper and cook for 2 minutes, then stir in the remaining seasoned flour, the tomato paste, and turmeric. Pour in the wine and stock, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and cook over low heat, stirring, until thickened. Return the chicken to the pan, add the bay leaf, cover. then bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, sift the flour, baking powder, turmeric and salt into a mixing bowl. Rub in the margarine until the mixture resembles the breadcrumbs, then stir in enough of the soy milk to make a smooth dough. Transfer to a lightly floured board, knead lightly, then roll out to a thickness of about 1/2 inch. Cut out circles using a 2″ cookie cutter.
6. Remove the casserole from the oven, discard the bay leaf.Arrange the dough circles over the top, then return to the oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until the cobbler topping has risen and is lightly golden.

Enjoy, gentle reader. Enjoy!

CS

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