from Florisbella's cookbook
"Thyme is often used to flavour meats, stews, and soups, and blends nicely with other herbs"
I visited Sandson's farm today to buy a basket of fresh eggs. Every hobbit knows, the eggs from Sandson's farm are the freshest, tastiest and roundest of all the Shire! I do not know what he feeds his chickens, but them poultry sure is worthy of a prize. Not just for the eggs, but for their meat. yes, the farm is also known for its quality chicken cutlets. In fact, I think I shall have some for dinner tonight. Perhaps with some fresh produce from my garden... now let's see if I have everything in the pantry:
6 chicken cutlets from Sandson's renowned poultry
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
10 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
2 tablespoons brandy from the Bird and Baby Inn
1 cup chicken stock
thyme! Scented, fresh thyme, a sprig... no definitely more
I sprinkled the chicken with the salt and pepper, fished a large, heavy pan, poured the oil and let it heat up. Then I placed the cutlets in said pan and browned them turning them around from time to time. I removed the chicken from the pan, the pan from the heat; added the halved garlic cloves and brandy. Back to the fire, stirred and stirred until the liquid almost evaporated, added the stock, the cutlets and finally, a generous dose of thyme sprinkled on top!
I could hardly wait for the cutlets to simmer, the smell was so delicious!
°°°
When in doubt how to prepare your chicken, well, I always say that the key is in the seasoning. In this case, home-grown thyme!
(image lotro wiki)
