Chapter Text
- Add the olive oil to a large heavy-bottomed saucepan or stewpot and, once hot, add the chicken, cooking over a medium heat for around 4-5 minutes on each side to brown. Remove and set aside.
“Alright, start putting them in now, but be careful – the oil can jump and burn you when it’s this hot.”
“You don’t need to tell me – I’m five, I know how to do it.”
“Ah, none of that young man, you’re never too old to learn new things, or to get better at things you thought you already knew. Not at five, not at fifteen, not at thirty even. We are always capable of improving ourselves.”
“Even you?”
“Especially me.”
“What about Brampa? He’s a hunnerd years old and knows everything.”
“He’s sixty and he will be the first to tell you that being wrong and learning new things are two of his favorite things in the world.”
“And me!”
“And playing with you of course. Oh, and look, I think these are done don’t eat them out of the pot we’re still using them.”
“Awwwwwwww just one?”
“No! Put it back and no sneaking or I will eat up your naughty baby fingers.”
- Using the same pan, reduce the heat to low and add the butter. Once melted, add the onion and pepper, cooking gently for 3-4 minutes until soft.
“Noooooooooooo not the onions!”
“We have to follow the recipe – it’s important to know when to do what you’re told and when to not do that. The onions will cook away all their bad taste and leave a good taste behind. We could leave them out but it won’t be as good.”
“But they’re burney!”
“Ahhh, I see. Well then, you may go lay the table while I cook them, so they won’t make you cry.”
“Won’t they make you cry?”
“I daresay they might. But it is good to cry sometimes. It just means you’re having a big emotion that needs to come out.”
“Or a big onion.”
“Heh, or a big onion, indeed.”
- Add the garlic, paprika and a pinch of salt and cook for a further minute, taking care not to let the garlic brown.
“But mum, you hate garlic!”
“True, but your father enjoys it, and it is his birthday after all, not mine. And, do you know, I quite think your sister likes it as well.”
“She doesn’t count, she’s not even borned yet.”
“No, not quite yet. Still, out of deference to her tastes, I am going to try only boiling the clove once this time. And now – shall we add the smoky or the spicy paprika?”
“FICY!!!”
“Ah! Say it correctly or you shall get no say at all.”
“May you please put in the su-picy paprikas please?”
“Much better. I think we can put in a little bit, but not too much! A little bit of the spicy, and a whole lot of the smokey, to make the nice red color. Just like that, good. And pinch the salt for me, would you please dear?”
“I have to tell you a secret.”
“Oh? What’s your secret?”
“I ated some of the salt already.”
“I know dear.”
- Return the chicken to the pan, add the tomatoes and simmer for a few minutes before adding the stock. Bring back to a simmer, cover and cook over a low medium heat for a half an hour, removing the lid for the final ten minutes or so to help the sauce reduce and thicken.
“When will Papa be home?”
“Let’s see if we can figure it out. Look at the clock and tell me what time it is. The little hand is the hour, remember, and the big hand is the minutes, all in little groups of five.”
“Five and thirty-seven.”
“Almost! Try the other way around.”
“Seven and twenty-eight? But you said the big hand – ”
“I should have said the long hand, not the fat hand. But since he has boarded the 6:45 train, he should arrive at – ”
“Eight o’clock and three!”
“That’s exactly right! You’ve been paying attention to the trains as well I see. So after we simmer this for half an hour, and then spend a few more minutes finishing it, it should be all ready just in time!”
“Mummy you’re so clever I love you.”
“I love you too, darling.”
- Add the sour cream, stirring gently. Continue cooking until heated through, and serve over pasta or with your favorite accompaniment.
“Try one of the dumplings and tell me if it’s done.”
“I forgot I need to try another one.”
“Ah ha, that means they must be done.”
“Awwwww.”
“Alright now pour in the sour cream.”
“But it’s sour.”
“Then stop putting your fingers in it! And look at the lovely pink color it makes when it mixes with the red. It will also stop it from being too spicy.”
“I like fi- … su-picy!”
“You really are a third Texan, aren’t you? I think it will be plenty spicy even with the sour cream, and this is what the recipe says after all. Run along and fill up the pitcher and bring it to the table, while I fill the tureen.”
“Can I have another dumpling?”
“May I. And just one, it’s almost – oh, there’s the door now!”
“Papa Papa Papa! Happy Birthday! Mum and I maked you a surprise!”
“Did you now? It smells heavenly!”
“I love you Papa happy birthday I’m very happy you’re home.”
“I love you too, sweetheart. It’s good to be home.”