Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 celery sticks, chopped
- 1 yellow pepper, deseeded and diced
- 1 red pepper, deseeded and diced
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 2 tbsp paprika
- 400g can chopped tomato
- 150ml chicken stock
- 2 x 400g cans butter beans, drained and rinsed
- 8 skinless chicken thighs, skins removed
- Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole dish. Add the onion, celery and peppers, and fry for 5 mins. Add the garlic and paprika, and cook for a further 3 mins.
- Stir in the tomatoes, stock and butter beans, and season well. Bring to the boil, then nestle the chicken thighs into the sauce. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and put in the oven for 45 mins.
Method
This was a genuine attempt to try something new although I have a distant recollection of having made it before. It is taken from a Tamsin Ramsay original recipe in her book on cooking for families. A book which I ought to like, but actually I refer to infrequently and use even less often. I guess her kids were younger than ours when we got the book and to be frank we find the recipes a little bland - in that way that is intended to be safe for Children because it doesn't challenge their tastebuds at all, but provides nutrition. That is one way of doing it I suppose, but not one I subscribe to.
Anyway I must have forgotten that summary because it had been a while since I cooked anything from the book. So I delved again and found this recipe. Cheap and nutritious, with pulses and protein it sounds like a winning combination so I went for it.
Unfortunately it wasnt a great success. I served it with rice as you can see in the picture, but overall it was pretty bland and thin also lacking in textural contrast as well. It felt like baby food on every dimension. It doesn't even have the benefit of being quick. It is easy and cheap if you are looking for positives, as we must. So if you are looking for something to try and you have YOUNG children, then feel free to go ahead and try. Otherwise I would move on and try something else.....