Chicken and Blackbean Stew

Being a mum has helped flourished my creativity in the most unexpected ways. Every morning whilst we cycle to school, my son demands a story, something new and exciting for me to come up with and end happily ever after before we say goodbye. We live 10 min away from the school.  He gives me a character and from there we take off. I am obliged to master the art of improvisation! Or perhaps it's his subtle avoidance of any form of interrogation... clever boy!

My daughter, on the other hand, finds songs soothing.. The perfect example of my developed mothering performing skills are those lyrics I urgently compose when anticipating an emotional outburst! Impromptu distraction... A degree in drama and music to add on my CV. The closest I get to the stage these days. 

How I wish I could say the same about my cooking skills, which are far from improving. That would bring us all much more joy, but time forbids, and I don't resist it (anymore).  Looking back at this blog I could see how I underestimated that privilege, a precious commodity. I try not to dwell much about it and find refuge on where creativity has been transferred. I am grateful for the blog as it has become a compilation of memories and recipes that we often trust, become family favourites, and now cook together. This is why I feel it’s important to continue adding to it and help it grow alongside my little ones, to make it an ongoing memory of some sort and to perhaps reflect and give myself credit for coming up with special dishes here and there, despite thinking that time was no longer beside me. 

 

I won't probably remember the multiple little hedgehog adventures, the entrepreneur puppy that became the most famous tailor in the forest, the baby dragon that found his castle.. those we enjoyed and left on the road.. but I will remember how it felt to tell them and I will remember looking behind to rush him to speed up and find that joyful smile. 

And I also want to remember those recipes, simple and humble, that were a success, those they actually tried without bribery, those that did not need a pasta takeover and those that I want to make again, specially when not having the time to improvise. This blackbean stew is definitely one of those. Enjoy! 

Ingredients 

1 onion finely chopped 

2 garlic cloves, crushed 

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 red pepper, diced 

400g chicken breast fillet, cut in cubes

50g bacon lardons 

1 tbsp tomato paste 

1 tin of black beans

1tsp oregano 

1 tsp paprika 

Salt and pepper to taste 

25g coriander, finely chopped (garnish)

1 lime, quartered  

Method

Grease a large pan with olive oil, add the lardons and the chicken and cook at medium-high heat until the chicken gains colour all around and the lardons are cooked. Set aside.

In the same pan, add the rest of the olive oil, onions, and garlic. Cook at medium heat until the onions are crystallised. Add the peppers and cook for about 5 min, stirring carefully. Then add chicken and lardons and cook for another 5-10 min. Then add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for another 10 min. 

Serve with warm sourdough bread or rice and garnish with coriander and a squeeze of lime. Enjoy! 

Pin It