Somerset Chicken

This one is a real easy one folks but real tasty.

Somerset is a rural county in the south of England. It is famed for 3 things its rural accent, apples and cider - that's hard cider to you Americans.

This dish is inspired by the county.

Take 1 chicken breast per person and fillet it - cut length wise down middle of the chicken breast, cutting half the way into it. Then cut to both sides to open it up. Basically you want it thin and twice the size.

Next apply a generous coating of apple sauce (chunky not smooth for a bit of texture) to the breast. Cover with generous coating of grated cheese. White cheddar works well but most types work as long as it melts and crisps up.

Cook in oven at 400F for 20 to 25 mins or until chicken is cooked.

Best served with a glass of cider ;-)

Meat pie

Building on my fun with pastry last month I decided to have a go at making a home made meat pie.

Firstly I made a triple batch of shortcrust pastry. Then I got to work on the filling.

I had a packet of Bremer fully cooked pork roast in gravy in the freezer, but you could easily use any other meat just as long as you pre-cook it.

I peeled and part cooked potato, carrot and onion. Add a little salt and pepper.

Roll out just over half the pastry and cut about an inch wider so that it fits up the side of the pie dish (I used a 10" dish and cut 11"). Grease the pie dish with margarine, place the pastry in and gently shape it to the pie dish.

Add the filling and roll out the remaining pastry before placing on top of the pie. Pinch together, cut 3 slits to let the steam out. Glaze with egg or cream.

Bake for 30 to 40 mins at 350F until golden brown. Allow pie to sit 5 mins before serving.


This was my first attempt at making an encased pie and it was a hit!