Chicken, Bacon and Mushroom Cobbler

We were having company for supper tonight and so I wanted to bake a tasty casserole that would make everybody happy. I had taken chicken breasts out of the freezer last night and they were to be the basis for my casserole.

I also took out a package of lean back bacon that I thought would go very well in the dish. The smokiness of bacon goes really well with chicken I think. It's a lovely combination. I also had a package of mushrooms that I wanted to use up while I still could. I had bought them for something else, but the something else never got made. (Doesn't that happen to everyone?)

In any case I ended up making a chicken cobbler with the chicken, bacon and mushrooms . . . a kind of a chicken stew, flavoured with onions and herbs . . . thyme and summer savory . . .

I added some sliced carrots for a bit of colour and sweetness. Chicken breasts on their own can be quite bland, but they are a beautiful canvas for whatever you put with them . . . after browning the meat, onions, and mushrooms, I added some chicken stock and then put the whole lot into the oven to braise for half an hour.

While that mixture was braising I make an herbed drop scone/dumpling mixture to drop onto the top of the chicken stew. Sprinkled with cheese and then banged back into the oven until the dumplings were golden brown and crusted and oh so cheesy.

We ended up having to cancel our company as I ended up not being very well, but the Toddster surely enjoyed this meal. It was right up his alley. He loves a hearty casserole and this fit the bill perfectly. I sent the leftovers down to the Missionaries for their supper . . . I think they enjoyed it too.

*Chicken, Bacon and Mushroom Cobbler*

Serves 6 to 8

A

• delicious chicken casserole, filled with tender chunks of chicken
• breast, back bacon, mushrooms and carrots, and topped with a cheese

crusted dumpling topping!