From the store to the kitchen to the table: We outline the steps that get you from something raw to something cooked using simple ingredients, free of measurements and complicated techniques. A method that you can have in your back pocket and whip out whenever you like. We call it recipe-free cooking.
Illustrations by Bill Russell
Wipe the mushrooms clean and quarter them, and coarsely chop the onion or shallots.
Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces; they should be about the same size so they cook evenly.
Put the frying pan on the stove over medium heat. Add two pats of butter and about the same amount of olive oil. When the butter stops foaming, add the onion or shallots.
Sauté the onion or shallots, stirring occasionally. While the vegetables cook, put a handful of flour and a generous pinch of salt and pepper into a resealable plastic bag. Add the cut-up chicken, close the bag, and shake to evenly coat the meat.
Add the chicken to the pan and cook until it’s lightly browned.
Add the mushrooms and sprig of thyme (if using), then pour in enough broth to cover everything. Simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the mushrooms are soft, about 10 minutes.
Wipe the mushrooms clean and quarter them, and coarsely chop the onion or shallots.
Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces; they should be about the same size so they cook evenly.
Put the frying pan on the stove over medium heat. Add two pats of butter and about the same amount of olive oil. When the butter stops foaming, add the onion or shallots.
Sauté the onion or shallots, stirring occasionally. While the vegetables cook, put a handful of flour and a generous pinch of salt and pepper into a resealable plastic bag. Add the cut-up chicken, close the bag, and shake to evenly coat the meat.
Add the chicken to the pan and cook until it’s lightly browned.
Add the mushrooms and sprig of thyme (if using), then pour in enough broth to cover everything. Simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the mushrooms are soft, about 10 minutes.