Cold Weather Comfort Food Chickenrice Casserole

COLD WEATHER COMFORT FOOD: CHICKEN/RICE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. Gather your ingredients.
• 3. Salt and pepper the chicken on both sides.
• 4. Place 2 tablespoons of grapeseed oil in a heavy-bottomed pot, over medium heat.
• 5. When the oil begins to shimmer, place the chicken, skin side down in the pot.
• 6. Chef's Note: Allow the chicken to cook in the pot without moving for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the skin begins to crisp.
• 7. Turn over and allow the chicken to cook without moving for an additional 3 to 5 minutes.
• 8. Chef's Tip: When you place the chicken into the hot pan, it will have a tendency to stick to the surface, after several minutes of cooking without moving the chicken will easily release from the pot.
• 9. Remove the chicken from the pot, and reserve.
• 10. Add the onions and a pinch of salt, and cook until softened, about 7 to 10 minutes.
• 11. Add the garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• 12. Add the rice, and the white wine.
• 13. Stir until the wine has mostly evaporated, about 3 to 5 minutes.
• 14. Add the tomatoes (including juice), and the chicken stock to the pot.
• 15. Stir the sauce, and add the cayenne pepper, and ground cumin.
• 16. As the liquid returns to a simmer, season with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
• 17. Stir in the mushrooms, add the reserved chicken, and push them into the sauce.
• 18. Bring this dish up to a simmer, and then cover the pot.
• 19. Reduce the heat to medium low, and allow the ingredients to cook, and the rice to soften, about an hour.
• 20. Remove from heat, and allow the chicken to rest for an additional 5 minutes.
• 21. PLATE/PRESENT
• 22. Serve the chicken with some of the rice and veggies, along with a nice Chardonnay. Enjoy.
• 23. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.