Brucie asks "Where's the Chicken?"

This is Brucie, well, her name really is Olivia, but there is a fun-loving, smart, spunky little pit bull in my book that is the mirror image of Olivia and so Brucie was born to the pages of black and white. Much of what Olivia does, shows up in my writing and I have found that I can really learn true life lessons from my dogs: appreciation of what you have, cherish who you love and who loves you, and never be late to the table. Follow these ideals and life will be grand. This is Olivia following lesson number three. Whenever Olivia hears chopping, mixing, sizzling, and a few colorful words come out of the kitchen, she takes her place at the table and today was no different. Patiently Olivia waited for the Chicken Cobbler. Patience is key. Patience gets you a piece of the cobbler. Life lesson number four...those who wait patiently shall be rewarded. Aren't I and Olivia giving you the pearls today?

I was fully aware that it was only a matter of time before Old Man Winter reared his ugly head. Don't get me wrong, the beauty of the snow is not lost on me but it loses its allure after Christmas and since the Old Man was a little late in his delivery, I woudn't mind if we skipped straight into spring. But, that's just me, and I know you winter outdoors enthusiasts are in your glory as you hoist on your skis or snowboards. I say have at it and enjoy! No judgments here. You go have your fun and Olivia and I will meet you back here in the kitchen for a warm and delicious meal of comfort food.

I came up with this recipe one day when I crockpotted a whole flock of chickens it seemed. It was definitely a moment of not realizing that, if given a month, I couldn't eat it all, let alone want to. Had I done so, I might have started to grow feathers. I began to look at recipes: chicken soup--too basic; chicken and rice--too blah; chicken and biscuits?--getting warmer. Who doesn't love chicken and biscuits? The only complaint is that there are never enough buttery deliciousness of biscuits to slop up the creamy center. I know!! Total nightmare. Then I had a vision. Chicken Cobbler, a place of zen where no gravy is left on the plate as the cobbler is there to whisk it away.

With this idea, I started busying myself in the kitchen. I had all the staples I needed to create a sheer masterpiece and the wonderful part of it is, you can change out the veggies or lighten it up. Your choice, your waistline.

In Fall's Descent, the progatonist, Will, finds comfort in sitting around the table with his family on a crisp evening in late October. Life for him is changing, but when he takes a bite of his Chicken Cobbler, he takes comfort in knowing that some things will always be the same.

Tonight, was a treat for me. Chicken cobbler was one of my favorite dishes and on a cold October night, nothing else seemed as satisfying, comforting. The cheesy cobbler was always crunchy on the exterior but they held a secret deep inside the outer shell. The soft and fluffy center created of perfectly handled flour, butter and buttermilk were almost a meal in itself. But it got better. When the spoon dove through the savory barrier, it plunged into the depths of a creamy sea filled with vegetables and the most tender chicken, accented by the freshest of herbs. It was happiness and safety all wrapped up in a nine by thirteen inch pan. As a kid, I would scoop large amounts of it onto my plate, more than I could ever eat, and the piping steam would warm my face but I never waited for that first bite to cool. Nissa would warn me that I would burn my tongue and ruin my taste buds, but it never happened. Some things were just too good to wait for.

Chicken Cobbler

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup chopped carrots

1 cup chopped onions

1 cup frozen peas

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

4 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

4 cups cooked chicken (I crockpotted mine but cooking up some chicken and chopping it up or a store bought rotisserie chicken would be just fine too)

1 TBSP fresh thyme

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

2 boxes Jiffy biscuit mix (Or, feel free to make up your favorite biscuit recipe. Whatever time you want to spend is up to you)

2/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese

2/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup whole milk

1.) Spray a 9 x 13 inch pan and preheat oven to 400*

2..) Chop up the veggies. Aren't they pretty?

3.) Melt 1/4 cup butter over medium heat

large skillet. Cook for 5-6 minutes and

then add the peas. Set aside.

4.) Melt remaining 1/4 cup butter in a Dutch Oven. (Why 'Dutch' Oven?

I have always meant to look that up. Me being part Dutch, I am not so

sure I like that term being used that way. Is it because it is half an oven?)

Hmmm... Sorry, I digress. Add the 2/3 cup flour and cook, stirring constantly. Approximately, 2 minutes.

5.) Gradually add in the chicken broth. You must whisk, whisk, whisk to avoid lumps and to increase biceps!!. Add the 1/2 cup cream and continue to whisk. Do this for 3-5 minutes.

7.) Add chicken and veggies, thyme, salt, and pepper. Taste to make sure it is seasoned enough.

8.) Pour into prepared pan.

9.) This next step, I hesitated to show you. You might think me cheating the craft of cooking but remember a few posts back whe I wrote about finding the time for everything in life? You do? Good. If not, please take the time because is will help explain a few things. I was multi-tasking when I was working in the kitchen so I had to make a sacrifice and it was the homemade biscuits on the chopping block. I went boxed but I did jazz them up and no one would have known the wiser. I just wanted to be honest since you all are taking this journey with me.

Take the mixes, the milk, the cheese and combine them. I love to add a little garlic powder to mine.

10.) Plop (I love that word) the cobbler all over the chicken mixture so that the filling is covered.

11.) Bake 25 min or until the cobbler browns on top.

12.) Share with only the ones you love and Brucie (Olivia) would like to remind you not to forget your four-legged family members. (But remember, there are onions in this so perhaps some reserved chicken will do.)

Thanks so much for cuddling up with me on this Thursday night. See you Sunday!!