Libraries and Recipes

“The discovery of a new dish does more for human happiness than the discovery of a new star.”
Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

I had to wait for my son yesterday while he took part in a fencing class (this time he was the student). I don't mind waiting when we're on campus since the library is nearby. This particular library looks very modern on the outside but on the inside they have wonderful little nooks for reading and cushy chairs that one can sink into that are absolutely lovely. I knew where I wanted to sit before arriving...the cookbook section. It could be because I didn't have much lunch but I suspect it's just the season for new recipes.

I enjoy finding new recipes to try out at home. That was the hunt I was on yesterday, all snuggled up in the chair with a stack of cookbooks at my side. I took the notebook I carry with me in my purse and had it ready to take notes. The first book I perused was one of the Victoria tea books (the one I don't have). It was charming and I definitely wrote it down as a book to find online (it's out of print, I believe). Everything Victoria magazine did is beautiful.

The other book that had caught my eye on the shelves was Gladys Taber's Still Meadow Cookbook. I like her books but I didn't know she had written a cookbook. The recipes made me very hungry (I shouldn't do this so near dinner time). I wrote one of them down before it was time to leave, a chicken recipe I've never seen before. It's similar to a recipe I've made but is just different enough for the ingredients to go to the top of my grocery list. That recipe is written below.

The time passes quickly when I'm writing down recipes and it was soon time to head home. When my son and I were walking onto our front porch, we had the aroma of a pot roast that I'd popped in the oven meet us before we ever opened the door. It is one of those main dishes that is easy to put together for these busy days. So many of these recipes are better in colder temps, another reason to smile that sweater weather has arrived.

I love being in the kitchen on a rainy day or when the winter winds are blowing outside. It's so cozy and warm and having two guys asking again if the stew is ready or the cake is cooled, just makes it better. For I delight in the applause and admiration that comes from good cooking, which is most likely a vice but hopefully not a big vice. :)

Here's the recipe from Gladys Taber's book. It looks easy but elegant. She said in the book that it is one of her favorite recipes and one she always keeps the ingredients for in case she has company. She also said the recipe can easily be doubled.

Chicken Special

4 split chicken breasts
(I’m sure this would work with deboned chicken breasts, reducing cooking time)
butter
1 pkg. cream of leek soup
1 1/2 cups of milk or half and half (may need more later)
1 can mushrooms (optional)

Brown chicken in butter just until golden. In a saucepan, combine soup and milk, just until boiling, stir constantly. Pour over chicken.

Simmer 30 minutes

Add the mushrooms, liquid and all. If not using mushrooms, you may need to add another 1/2 cup milk or half and half. Simmer another 15 minutes.

She said the chicken should be "butter tender".