sweet potato & chicken casserole

just thought i'd share a recipe from time to time and am kicking it off with one i made for my elders at the cottage today...

sweet potato & chicken casserole

ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - diced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1/4 cup half-and-half or light cream

directions

1. preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. add the onion and garlic, and cook until just starting to turn golden. mix in the sweet potatoes and carrot; cook and stir for a few minutes, until lightly browned.
3. move the vegetables to the sides of the pan, leaving the center clear. add the chicken; cook and stir until seared on all sides. scatter the flour over the top, and stir it in. gradually stir in the chicken stock, mixing carefully so that no flour lumps form. scrape any bits of food from the bottom of the pan while you do this. pour in the wine last, and mix through. transfer to a casserole dish and cover with a lid.
4. bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven. remove from the oven, and let it cool just a little before stirring in the cream (or else it may curdle).

i doubled this since i had to feed 12 light eating residents and 2 staff, and it was the perfect amount.  at home, it usually feeds four.  i chose to serve it over rice today. i have served it over potates with equal success.  add a side dish of crisp green veggies of one sort or another and you have a tasty meal!

bon appétit!

namaste'