Jealousy will get you nowhere…
For a number of years I worked in an office over a small deli counter. The resident chef made such a delicious version of this dish that when it was on the lunch menu if it was your day off colleagues would telephone you with glee to taunt you with the fact that you were missing a “chicken & broccoli bake” day, need I say more… JJ
Ingredients & Costing…
|  | |
Chicken Fillets x 2 (free range)
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3.99
| |
Broccoli x 1 medium head
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0.65
| |
Chicken Stock x 250ml
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0.15
| |
Cream x 250ml
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1.19
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Milk x 250ml
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0.18
| |
Butter x 20gm
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0.10
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Flour x 10gm
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0.10
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Mustard Powder x 1 heaped tsp
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0.05
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Maldon Sea Salt
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0.05
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Freshly Ground Black Pepper
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0.05
| |
Bread Crumbs x 4 tblsp
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0.05
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4 Hearty Portions
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€6.56
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It Couldn’t be easier…
æ Trim the broccoli & cut into medium florets, in a small saucepan bring some water to the boil & blanche the broccoli, essentially this means cooking it for a short period of time, approximately 2 minutes, strain the cooking liquid (reserving 250ml for making the stock), rinse the broccoli quickly under cold running water to retain its vibrant green colour
æ Dice the chicken fillets & place in a saucepan of boiling water, reduce to a simmer & cook for approximately 10 minutes. Place the broccoli & strained chicken in an ovenproof dish
æ In a clean saucepan melt half the butter adding the flour & mustard powder to make a roux. Slowly add the milk, cream & stock made using the reserved cooking liquid, simmer gently until the sauce thickens. Season well with salt & freshly ground black pepper
æ Pour the sauce over the chicken & broccoli mixture
æ Sprinkle with fine bread crumbs & dot with tiny dice of butter, grated cheddar can also be used for an extra crunchy topping
æ Bake on the centre shelf of a pre heated oven (gas mark 5) for 40 minutes until bubbling & golden brown. Delicious served with a humble baked potato...
A Good Roasting…
Most people don't have time during a normal working day to roast a chicken however, if you have leftovers from Sunday lunch this dish is even more delicious made with all the tasty bits of chicken & shredded skin overlooked… JJ
When I saw that you had this dish on your blog I was just itching to make it.... I gathered all the ingredients and waited till the clock struck four bells.... then I knew it was time to start working the magic that is known as chicken and broccoli bake ! I was not disappointed.... consider this itch truly and well scratched!!
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