It's So Fine, It's Sunshine, It's the Word, Love

Chicken and Small Potatoes Stew

Sometimes you get on a roll, as I did with these recent chicken stews.  This time with a bag of tiny potatoes, spinach, red bell peppers and corn.  Everything fell into place, as it does occasionally.  Of course I've noticed this with writing before and people talk about being in the zone, or in the presence of the muse, those moments when creativity thrives.  Many believe this is when we step aside and allow the entire force of the natural universe in to guide the pen or in this case, the ladle.  I share a lot of cooking and as you may have noticed, I'm not that great most of the time.  I have my moments.  I love to do it, that's my only true gift.  So when exceptional dishes happen, I don't take credit, only for being smart enough to get out of the way. 

I rolled the chicken legs in seasoned flour and browned, set aside. Then in the oil, cooked the carrots, celery, onions and garlic before adding stock and potatoes, bay leaves and finally kale, sweet corn and roasted red peppers.  The taste of this is so pure that just black pepper and salt is needed, but I mixed a tablespoon of Dijon mustard into a 1/2 cup of yogurt with some of the broth to temper at the end, with a big squeeze of lemon.  Those small additions made the flavors pop so big, simply lovely!