Prep time:

Cooking time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Total time:

Serves: 4

A whole chicken - cut into quarters, or 4 chicken portions

2 leeks, washed and sliced

50g butter

1tbsp plain flour

2 apples, peeled, cored and cut into thin wedges

150ml dry cider

200ml chicken stock

2 garlic cloves

3 sage leaves

salt and pepper

Chicken cooks beautifully in a casserole, releasing its own gentle favours, while allowing others to ride alongside. Apples and leeks are easy partners, adding a sweet autumnal twist to this stalwart staple.

  1. Gently fry the leeks in butter and then lay in a shallow casserole dish with the apple wedges.

Alongside whipping up tasty, seasonal recipes using produce from her own garden, Jo Arnell runs gardening workshops from her home in Woodchurch and offers expert advice on garden design and planting. hornbrookmanor.co.uk.

  • words:
  • pictures: David Merewether
  • styling: Lucy Fleming

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