Dorset-based chef Suze Morrison has put together a selection of winter recipes for the Watercress Company. This pie is like a Christmas party wrapped in pastry!
Ingredients:
25g plain flour
8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs cut into chunks
Olive Oil
12 spring onions, finely sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp Thyme leaves, finely chopped
200g prosecco
300g chicken stock
300g full fat Greek yogurt
200g frozen peas, defrosted
200g green beans/ sugar snaps
200g asparagus
50g watercress, finely chopped
1 tbsp parsley, chopped
1 lemon, zested
Salt and black pepper
1 kg small potatoes, thinly sliced
40g butter, melted
6 thyme sprigs, leaves picked
Pick up the chicken from here. You can get olive oil from Olives et Al and your prosecco from one of these producers.
Method:
1. Heat a large sauté pan and add 1 tbsp olive oil. Add the spring onions and a pinch of salt, reduce the heat and cover with a lid. Cook slowly for 20-30 minutes until soft, sweet and caramelised. Remove from the pan and set aside.
2. Mix the flour with some salt and pepper and use to coat the chicken pieces. Brown the chicken in batches, adding more oil as necessary. Remove and transfer to a bowl.
3. Add the Prosecco, stirring to deglaze the pan and bubble until most of the mixture has gone. Add the thyme, chicken stock and yogurt and simmer on a reduced heat.
4. Add the Spring Onions and chicken back to the pan and simmer, uncovered for 20 minutes, add the peas, sugar peas, beans and asparagus and cook 10 minutes more or until the chicken is cooked through. Add the watercress, parsley and lemon zest and taste the mixture, season to your taste with salt & black pepper.
5. Spoon into your pie dish, cover and refrigerate overnight to let the flavours develop.
6. The next day preheat oven 180C. Blanch the potato slices in boiling water for 5 minutes until al dente. Drain and allow to steam dry for 10 minutes.
7. Arrange the potatoes on top of the chicken mixture I concentric circles. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with thyme.
8. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until hot through and crisp on top. Stand for 10 minutes before serving with extra watercress.
