I think I may have stumbled across what could become ‘the’ new classic savoury Fall flavour combo: Pumpkin + Chicken. When I saw the recipe, for Pumpkin Chicken Stew, I was immediately hooked. And the nutrition benefits are a major bonus!
I think my eyes goggled as if an epiphany has just struck. And maybe it had. Why hadn’t the idea of pumpkin Chicken Stew – or any other presentation employing the combo, for that matter – never even wandered across my mind before now?
A new classic
The combo stands to become an instant new classic. It has just about everything going for it! Which is much more than you can say for the majority of ‘new’ Fall recipes flooding the online foodsphere these days.
The flavour combo – augmented by mutually complementary spices and aromatic veggies – simply shouts ‘Fall’ while offering something truly new and exciting for the palate. It’s not extreme in any way. Kids and picky older folks who shun ‘heat’ and bold flavours in general will love it. But it pro-vides a pleasing, memorable and comforting dining experience that’s right in yume with the season. And it doesn’t resort to the overused, often improperly used, Pump Pie Spice treatment.
The recipe, in short…
The detailed recipe is available from Daily Wrap. Rather than just report it here, I want to comment on some aspects of the ingredient roster…
I like the idea that author Magdalena Pomorska specifies a small, sweet pumpkin. Sugar Baby is my favourite in that category and is by far the easiest to find in supermarket produce aisles. When we get to the spices, you’ll appreciate why a little sweet is needed to balance off the tartness.
This is one fall savoury concoction that doesn’t rely on some type of chili for zip and heat. In fact, ‘heat’ is not a central concept. Instead, the predominant flavour-forward spice is the sweet paprika. Pomorska also calls for a little hot paprika, but I consider that optional. The base-flavour addition is turmeric. It goes well with both chicken and pumpkin, and also provides a lovely golden-orange col-our which suggests warmth and comfort. And the fresh ginger provides a wonderful, perky though non-insistent top note.
Aromatic veggies called for include a bare-bones alliance of potatoes, carrots, shallots and garlic. But that seems appropriate to complement the mellow cast of lead characters.
If you prefer using something healthier than whipping cream to achieve a thick, silky finish, go ahead and use yogurt as a substitute. I’m going to…
Nutrition cornucopia
Lean chicken breast and pumpkin both offer a lot of nutrition plusses. Then there’s the turmeric – currently being hailed as a superfood!
And Allspice – as well as deepening an broadening the Fall-umami flavour base – is a rich source of potassium, calcium, iron and magnesium, plus vitamins C and B6.
On the whole, the recipe is low in fat and salt. And the only sweetener involved is the natural stuff in the pumpkin. Though you may want to add a small amount of sugar or another sweetener at the end, when you’ll naturally taste for salt. Just as you would add a little sweet to any tomato dish to help balance the predominant tartness.
My take
The only drawbacks I can see with this great Fall supper are it’s slightly lengthy ingredient list and relatively long prepare and cook time. But that makes it perfect for any cool, rainy, Fall weekend.
I hope you’ll try this nouveau-classic comfort dish. I know I’ll be making it over and over again!
~ Maggie J.