Braised Chicken with Blackberry, Crisped Schwarzwalder Ham, and Dried Mushrooms
When the weather gets cooler and the leaves start to change, it's time to cozy up with comforting, hearty dishes. Our take on a not-quite-coq-au-vin features chicken braised with a medley of blackberries, dried mushrooms, and crisped Schwarzwalder ham, all cooked lovingly in the same cast-iron pan. Served with buttered noodles on the side, it's a fall feast that will warm your heart and soul.
Ingredients:
4 chicken thighs (skin-on, bone-in)
1 cup fresh blackberries
100g Schwarzwalder ham, thinly sliced
1 cup dried mushrooms
1 celeriac stalk, chopped
1 onion, sliced
2 spring onions, chopped
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 cups chicken stock
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil / Butter / Any cooking fat
Optional Sides:
Buttered noodles
Whipped cream infused with blackberry
Sweet green grapes
Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Ham Crisping: In a large cast-iron pan, add a drizzle of your choice of cooking fat, and crisp up the Schwarzwalder ham slices. Once browned, remove and set aside.
Chicken: Season chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper. Using the same pan, brown the chicken thighs on both sides. Remove and set aside.
Vegetables: Still using the same pan, add the celeriac stalk, onion, and spring onions. Sauté until softened. Remove half to reserve and add back when the braising is done. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Combine: Add the dried mushrooms and blackberries to the vegetable mixture. Place the browned chicken thighs back into the pan.
Braise: Pour in the chicken stock, taking care not to submerge the chicken completely. Cover the pan with a lid or aluminum foil.
Oven Time: Place the covered pan in the preheated oven and braise for 45-50 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Final Touch: Once out of the oven, sprinkle the crisped Schwarzwalder ham over the top and the reserved vegetables - perhaps a sprinkle of fresh berries. Serve hot with buttered noodles, a dollop of blackberry-infused whipped cream, and some sweet green grapes.
