Karen Wright: From fridge finds to Marry Me Chicken
Now that our caravan is on a seasonal pitch at Ripon, I can spend as much time enjoying it as I wish. With a good weather forecast I decided to go for the weekend and, because I keep a small wardrobe of clothes and toiletries in the caravan, I could literally grab my handbag and go.
However, I had to check the fridge at home and see what was lurking in there that needed to be used up as I hate food waste. I found a pack of chicken breasts, some parmesan cheese, and a tub of double cream. I didn’t overthink what I would make with these ingredients, I just popped them in a cool bag and then into the car.
Once at the caravan the sun was out, and I can't tell you how marvellous it was to get the deckchairs out and feel the lovely spring sunshine on my skin. I must have sat there for a good hour or so before my attention turned to those ingredients. What would I cook for dinner?
I have a copy of my own book Meals on the Move: A Campsite Cooking Journey in the caravan and the book has stories and 30 recipes too.
There are a couple of recipes that use chicken and cream, but only one that also uses Parmesan cheese. That recipe is Tuscan Chicken aka Marry Me Chicken. It is reputed to be so delicious that, if it is served to a romantic partner, it often results in a proposal!
Simple to make, I just browned the chicken in a pan with a little oil and then added a pack of button mushrooms plus some garlic, smoked paprika and oregano and cooked for five minutes or so. I added some sun-dried tomatoes and tomato puree to the mix and about 200ml of chicken stock.
This was simmered until the sauce had reduced and thickened and the chicken was cooked (about 20 minutes) and then I added half a pot of cream and a generous handful of Parmesan. This was served with some pasta and Mediterranean vegetables which I had baked in the oven.
It was of course scrumptious. My husband John cleared his plate, and he asked me what the dish was, I answered “Marry Me Chicken” his response “but we are already married”!