18

February

Snow Days

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, well, if you reside anywhere further North than Tallahassee this most assuredly pertains to you.  Have been keeping tabs on friends and family who are frolicking outside – aka – shoveling massive amounts of snow, in my home state of Ohio.  This extreme weather immobilizing most of the country adds up to one sure thing:  Snow Days!  Ahh, the memories of no school, building snowmen and drinking copious amounts of hot chocolate.  Made me wonder, what if today we had a Snow Day.  What would I cook ?

Am dusting off that fabulous kitchen icon lovingly referred to as the “McFadden Family Cookbook.”  A classic creamy creation and one of many of our family’s favorites, Chicken ala King, made and always served in her silver chafing dish by my precious Great Aunt Mary McFadden. I’m getting warmer just thinking about it.

•    8 each 6 ounce boneless skinless chicken breasts, seasoned with salt, pepper and olive oil
•    3 Cups sliced fresh mushrooms
•    1 Cup green pepper cut into strips
•    1 Cup red pepper cut into strips
•    1 ½ TBSP. chopped onion
•    1 Cup flour
•    ½ Cup butter
•    2 Cups milk
•    2 Cups light cream
•    ¼ Tsp. white pepper
•    1 ½ quarts chicken broth

Bake 8 chicken breasts at 325 for 30 minutes.  Let cool, dice and set aside.

Saute onion, peppers and mushrooms in half of the butter on low heat.  Stir in flour blending well.  Remove vegetables and mix in remaining butter gradually, add broth and in blend milk and cream.  Stir over low heat until thick and smooth.  Add vegetables and diced chicken.  Simmer on low heat 15 minutes.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.