MEDIUM STOCK POT RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a wide casserole dish over a medium-high heat, and season the chicken all over. Cook the chicken on all sides until the skin is crisp and golden brown (they don’t need to be cooked through at this point). Transfer to a plate.
• Discard all of the fat in the pan except about 1 tsp, and fry the leeks for 5-6 mins until starting to turn bright green and tender. Add a splash of water if the leeks are beginning to turn golden. Scoop out and set aside with the chicken.
• Tip the potatoes into the pan, then pour over the chicken stock and nestle in the thyme. Cook, uncovered, over a high heat for 10 mins, then reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the mustard, crème fraîche, peas and leeks. Nestle the chicken back into the pan, so it’s mostly covered by the sauce.
• Put on the lid and cook for about 20-25 mins until the chicken is cooked through and the potatoes are tender. If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix the flour in a small bowl with 2 tbsp cold water. Stir into the sauce and simmer with the lid off for 2-3 mins more until the sauce thickens. Grind over some black pepper to serve.

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a non-stick wide, shallow pan, add bacon and fry briskly until lightly coloured, then lift on to a plate. Add the chicken and fry on each side until lightly brown. Set aside with the bacon. Tip onion and garlic into the pan and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the flour and tomato purée, then stir over a low heat for 2-3 minutes. Add the wine, stock, lentils and thyme. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Stir in the mushrooms. Add the bacon and chicken, pushing them under the liquid. Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until lentils are tender and the chicken cooked. Season with salt and pepper.