Retro Chicken Stew

Retro Chicken Stew

When the temperatures dip well below zero your home becomes a warm and cozy sanctuary from the elements. Nippy weather has me dreaming of comfort foods from my childhood. Nostalgic recipes resurface that remind me of growing up in Southern Ontario. As a child we used to take a Sunday drive to the historical town of St. Jacobs and have lunch at The Stone Crock. There was always a wait but the fact that there was something for every member of the family made it worthwhile. I remember the Chunky Cheddar Cheese Bread that I could also find next door at the bakery or on Thursdays and Saturdays baked by the loving hands of the local Mennonite ladies. This recipe is a little sweeter than I like personally but with a little tweaking it will be "the one". Will it ever be delicious toasted or made into an enviable grilled cheese sandwich. The chicken stew is a riff on what came in a can in my childhood home but it also brought back fond memories. It was livened up by dried herbs crumbled in from the rooftop garden of my friend Dina. A reminder of warmer days to come.

**Retro Chicken Stew**

4 chicken breasts, approximately 1-1/2 lbs, diced

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 carrots, sliced

1 small onion, diced

2 celery stalk, diced

5 tablespoons flour, divided

1/2 teaspoon thyme

1/3 teaspoon sage

salt and pepper to taste 

1-1/2 cups potatoes, peeled and diced

1/4 cup white wine

4 cups good quality chicken stock or broth

1 cup green beans 

1/2 cup heavy cream

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On another note don't forget to enter to win the Tates Bake Shop giveaway. Draw date is on Thanksgiving. And speaking of Thanksgiving do you have any leftover turkey?

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