FARMHOUSE RECIPES RECIPES

Steps:

• In 12-inch, heavy skillet over moderate heat, heat butter until hot but not smoking. Stir in onion and celery, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 15 to 20 minutes. (Vegetables can be prepared up to 1 day ahead and refrigerated. Reheat before continuing: In 12-inch, heavy skillet over moderately high heat, sauté, stirring often, until heated through, about 5 minutes.)
• Transfer to large bowl and add stuffing cubes, parsley, celery salt, sage, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir in 1¼ cups hot stock.
• Use immediately to fill cavities and spread remainder in baking dish as directed in Classic Roast Turkey recipe .
• Preheat oven to 350°F and butter 3-quart casserole or 9-by 13-inch baking dish. Transfer stuffing to dish and drizzle with ½ cup hot stock (stuffing baked outside of the turkey won't be soaked in the turkey's juices, so extra stock is drizzled on top to keep it moist). Cover with aluminum foil and bake until heated through, about 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until top is slightly crisp and golden, about 10 minutes longer. Serve immediately.
• Sausage and Sage Stuffing: In large, heavy skillet over moderate heat, sauté 1 pound bulk pork sausage, breaking up pieces with spoon, until meat shows no sign of pink, about 10 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer to large bowl. Proceed with recipe, adding ingredients to bowl with sausage and substituting 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage for dried rosemary and sage.
• Dried Apricot and Pecan Stuffing: Dried fruit are better than fresh in stuffing because the latter get soggy with long baking. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread 1½ cups (6 ounces) pecans on rimmed baking sheet and toast, stirring occasionally, until browned and fragrant, about 10 minutes. Cool and coarsely chop. In medium bowl, combine 1½ cups diced dried apricots and hot water to cover. Soak until apricots plump, about 30 minutes, then drain well. Proceed with recipe, tossing apricots and pecans with other ingredients in large bowl.
• Test-Kitchen Tips:  Warm, moist stuffing is an optimal environment for bacteria such as salmonella or E. coli to multiply, so it's important to follow safe procedures. Be sure to make the stuffing at the last minute so it can go into the bird warm. This helps it move above the "danger zone" (the optimal temperature range for bacteria growth) more quickly during roasting. Stuffing baked outside of the turkey can be spread in the baking dish and refrigerated for a few hours while the turkey roasts, but it should be prepared on the same day as baking.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 150°C/fan130°C/gas 2. Heat 2 tbsp of the oil in a flameproof casserole over a medium heat. Add the chicken pieces, skin-side down, and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until browned. Transfer to a dish and season with salt. Cover and set aside.
• If there’s a lot of fat in the casserole, drain some off, leaving just enough to brown the vegetables. Add the carrots and leeks and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until just browned. Add the potatoes and herbs and cook for a further 2-3 minutes. Season with salt.
• Return the chicken pieces to the casserole and add just enough water to cover. Bring to the boil, cover with a lid, then transfer to the preheated oven. Cook for about 1 hour.
• Return the casserole to the hob and remove the lid. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken and vegetables to a warm serving platter. Cover with foil to keep warm. Bubble the juices over a medium heat for 3–5 minutes to reduce slightly, then stir in the cream. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
• Stir in the mustard, parsley and chives and some ground black pepper. Taste and season. Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables and serve immediately.