Creamy Smoked Paprika Chicken a La King

This is an adaptation of Chicken a La King, but it has the addition of smoked paprika, cream and white wine. This recipe uses cooked chicken, but turkey works for this recipe too (a great use of leftovers).

We served it over toasted English muffins, but you can also serve it with toast or with plain white rice. It is a great in the week, quick, tasty meal. If you don't have time to roast a chicken, use pre-cooked store bought chicken pieces instead.

Smoked Paprika Chicken A La King (serves 4)
Ingredients

• 2 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped onions
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 cup diced green pepper
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1/2 cup cream
• 2 tablespoons dry white wine
• 2 tablespoons dry sherry
• 3 cups diced cooked chicken or turkey
• 1 tablespoon chopped English parsley
• Sprigs parsley to garnish
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
  

Recipe

1. Heat the butter in a small pan.
2. Add the onion, mushrooms, and green pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
3. Stir in the flour and mix well with the vegetables. Gradually add the chicken stock, and stir until boiling.
4. Add the white wine and sherry, and bring back to the boil. Heat for several minutes until liquid has reduced by half.
5. Add the cream, smoked paprika and seasonings.
6. Stir in the cooked chicken and chopped parsley.
7. Heat through for a further 2-3 minutes.
8. Serve immediately over toasted English muffins, toast or rice.
9. Garnish with parsley sprigs and sprinkle with paprika.
   

Cattitude at Gourmet Fusion

Cattitude by HuesNBrews is one of the fun lines we have in the Gourmet Fusion store this holiday season.

HuesNBrews produce a really great range of coordinated items for tea and coffee, and this Cattitude travel tumbler is proving to be one of our most popular items in our Solana Beach store.

It is now also available online and comes in pink, black and white. The Cattitude products all have two mischievous cats on the front and cat paw prints on the back.

As well as the Travel Tumbler, we have Cattitude mugs, mug and coaster sets, cute little espresso cups, and tea for two sets.

The lead-free ceramics are available in pink, blue, ivory and green and are microwave and dishwasher safe.

Great as a gift for any cat lover, you are sure to delight everyone this holiday season with these cute little guys - and while you are shopping, why not treat yourself to one, too!

Beaujolais Nouveau

Yesterday was the day for the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau. If you are not familiar with Beaujolais Nouveau, on the third Thursday of each November, cases of Beaujolais Nouveau begin their journey from France to all parts of the world. Beaujolais Nouveau is a red wine made from Gamay grapes produced in the Beaujolais region of France, and is the most popular vin de primeur, fermented for just a few weeks then officially released for sale.

What makes Beaujolais Nouveau different to regular Beaujolais? It is a very young wine - pressed after only three days, creating a very light, fruity red wine, without the usual tannins normally found in red wines. It is also best when served slightly chilled, making it an ideal accompaniment to lighter foods such as pasta, poultry, cheese or fish. It is also a fairly inexpensive wine, so if you would normally buy a white wine but want to try something different this is definitely a wine worth tasting.

So if you are looking for a light, fruity, inexpensive wine to go with your Thanksgiving celebrations, why not try Beaujolais Nouveau for a change?

Moroccan Black Olive and Orange Salad

Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food is becoming more and more popular, not only as a main course, but as a side dish, or appetizer.

A typical example of this is hummus, which as little as five years ago, was unheard of by many people and is now offered as an appetizer in at least two of the pizza chain restaurants here in Southern California.


With this in mind, and looking for something to pair with the heartier-style meals that are typical of this time of year, this Moroccan Black Olive and Orange salad makes an ideal accompaniment to many meals. It is light and refreshing and can be either an appetizer or a side dish.

Serve it in our elegant white serving tagines to add an elegant and exotic touch to your meal.

Moroccan Black Olive Orange Salad Ingredients

• 4 Navel Oranges
• 1 Cup Pitted Oil-Cured Black Olives
• 1/4 Cup Red Onion, Thinly Sliced
• 1 Teaspoon Fennel Seeds, Crushed
• Sea Salt
• Red Wine Vinegar
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1/4 Cup Torn Mint Leave

Method

1. Peel the oranges and with a paring knife, carefully scrape off as much of the white pith as possible, without tearing the fruit.
2. Slice each orange crosswise into 3/8th-inch thick slices.
3. Arrange the slices on a platter, slightly overlapping each one.
4. Scatter the olives and the onions over the oranges.
5. Season everything with the fennel seeds and salt.
6. Splash the vinegar and drizzle olive oil over the salad.
7. Place the mint on top.