Autumn is very definitely here, and although the oak tree is still green, other trees in the garden are shedding their leaves. The shrubs are on the point of producing little red berries, which will certainly keep the birds happy for a while.
I only planted one single sweet potato, late in the year, mainly out of interest to see what would happen. There had not been a huge amount of greenery above the soil and I decided that, with the change of weather, the cold would finish it off anyway. So I thought I might as well dig the plant out and throw it on the compost heap. I was amazed at the result and will definitely try to grow them again, but next year I will plant earlier. They are not huge, but enough for at least three meals for me. I have to say, I was quite excited at the result. You can see the length of them by the size of the board which is 240mm (9.5 inches) wide.
Last night I decided that I would cook a few of the smallest ones with some beans (I am still picking them from the garden) and a chicken thigh I had in the freezer. Looking around to see what I had available I came up with the following.
Ingredients:
1 chicken thigh unfrozen.
A small handful of dates
A small handful of raisins
Enough cider to cover the bottom of the dish by about 10mm (½ nch)
Quince jam to spread over the chicken
[As this was what I had available I had no choice, but I think I would make this dish with mixed ready to eat dried fruit, instead of the dates and raisins, under normal circumstances. The jam is a matter of choice; fig would have been second on my list].
I put all of this in the microwave, covered, and cooked it on medium high until the chicken was tender. (Sorry forgot to time it, but it was not very long!) Meanwhile, I chopped the smallest of the sweet potatoes and added to boiling water on the stove. After a few minutes, I added the beans, and five minutes later drained all the liquid off and served it up with the chicken- see below. It was very yummy and I will certainly try this recipe again when I get back to the UK, but will double up, as of course there will be two of us once more.
That is wonderful news that you can grow sweet potatoes in France.
ReplyDeleteI also love Japanese sweet potatoes (Imo). They have to be steamed, not roasted. They are super sweet.
I bet the chicken was really good. You might want to check Joumana's blog. She lives in Texas but is originally from Lebanon. She has some wonderful recipes.
http://www.tasteofbeirut.com/
Thanks Nadege I will have alook at the blog as I love recipes from that part of the world. Diane
ReplyDeleteI just love sweet potatoes and that recipe looks great with the dried fruit... I must also comment on the new photo on your header... it is magnificent... the color is staggeringly beautiful..KUDOS!!!
ReplyDeletemmmmm I like sweet potato but not as much as ordinary spuds ... they grow pretty well here too ...
ReplyDeleteMmmmmmmm......... looks delicious, different & healthy, too :) I love the combination/tastes of meat & fruit together.
ReplyDeletelongpastremembered thanks for the header comment. It was incredible to watch and I am so glad I have the photos to remind me.
ReplyDeleteI am also a sweet potato fan, next year I will make more effort to grow them properly! Diane
Graham I will certainly put more effort into growing them next year. I have masses of ordinary potatoes to take back for winter in the UK, but it would be nice to have both next year. I like sweet potatoes mashed with a little butter and orange juice. Yum Yum. Diane
ReplyDeleteSounds yummy. Good job on the potatos. I know you were surprised and a pleasant one too.
ReplyDeleteLynda it was really tasty, and as you say healthy as well. Diane
ReplyDeleteBecca is really was a surprise but I agree a nice one. Diane
ReplyDeleteLooks tasty! We haven't got sweet potatoes but have got lots of butternut squash, I bet it would be just as good with that!
ReplyDeleteI love sweet potatoes! How nice to eat from the garden. You are a very creative cook.
ReplyDeleteJan I also have plenty of butternut squash and pumpkins but they are all ready to travel back to the UK for winter. The sweet potatoes were just a surprise! We both love butternut soup it is the best soup ever. Diane
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy fall is really here. My backyard is is covered with a scattering of yellow leaves, and within my view are red and orange trees on fire with the magic of the season.
ReplyDeleteThe magic of gardening never ceases to amaze me. I just love when you go out to work in the soil, expecting nothing, and finding so much.
Your meal sounds absolutely delicious!
I, too, love chicken with fruit! Congrats on the sweet potatoes; I hope you remember them earlier next year!
ReplyDeleteSo impressed with your sweet potatoes!!
ReplyDeleteC x
Isn't it such a pleasant surprise when you find something you did not expect that was really good? Awesome. I would be tickled if I found these sweet potatoes.
ReplyDeleteBtw, My Wordless Wednesday, His tattoo was real. He just had it completed. He is serious about his food.
this look so simple to prepare but yet it look so delicious! well done.
ReplyDeleteI am going to have to pass on this recipe Diane but it does sound good. I dont eat chicken and only eat sweet potatoes raw. :)
ReplyDeleteI love sweet potatoes!
ReplyDeleteI've discovered them in SA and since they are so good for our health we eat them at least once a week!!
This recipe sounds delicious!
I often cook chicken with ginger...
Cheers, Diane!
Gaelyn, it was fun finding them unexpectedly in the garden and being so young they were very tasty. Diane
ReplyDeleteRee I really do not like the cold at all so autumn to me is just a reminder of what I have to put up with for the next few months. I hate leaving my garden behind in France until next April, but only two more weeks and then I will be back in the UK for winter. Diane
ReplyDeleteMarji I have made a not to look for earlier seed sweet potatoes next year. Both Nigel and I love them. Diane
ReplyDeleteCarol, I was pretty impressed as well especially as it was a big surprise. Diane
ReplyDeleteVelva it was a surprise and a pleasant on at that.
ReplyDeleteRe the tattoo, not sure I would appreciate that !!! Diane
Sonia it really was so easy and simple but yes 1t was very tasty. Diane
ReplyDeleteJoan, are you vegetarian or is it just chicken? Having never tried a raw sweet potato, of course I had to immediately go and try! I certainly did not dislike them but thought they had more flavour when cooked :-) Diane
ReplyDeleteNoushka ginger is a good combination with chicken I agree. Nigel eats masses of sweet potatoes when I am here and he is cooking for himself. He says they are so easy and quick to do in the microwave! So long as he can cook quickly he is happy:-) Diane
ReplyDeleteGreat with your sweet potatoes. This dish sounds very good. I've never cooked chicken in the micro and will have to try it. It's definitely a quick dish.
ReplyDeletePam I don't normally cook chicken in the microwave, but it worked a treat for me especially as it was just for one! Diane
ReplyDeleteThe whole meal looks delicious!
ReplyDeletePam it was delicious and so quick and easy. Diane
ReplyDeleteLove sweet potatoes! The food looks so yummy! :-)
ReplyDeleteJM I also love sweet potatoes and now I have discovered I can grow them here, I will plant more next year. Diane
ReplyDeleteThat's very exciting about the sweet potatoes, they look wonderful! What a pretty fall meal...great use for quince jam!
ReplyDeleteOh that sounds delicious! What a beautiful meal and presentation!
ReplyDeleteGreat blog; happy I found you!
Mary xo
Delightful Bitefuls
Faith I was so surprised when I found the potatoes, I really though that there would be nothing there! I can eat quince jam and jelly with everything:-) Diane
ReplyDeleteMary thanks for the visit and the comments. Diane
ReplyDelete