Italian Pulled Chicken Over Dukkuh Dusted Potato and Pumpkin w Broccolini

Fusion at its most tomatoey and delicious; a soujourn from Central Europe through Northern Africa. You are reading Part 5 of the Winter Wellness Series and receiving another warming and fortifying recipe for the colder months ahead.

The following recipe delivers a balance of nutrition to meet energy needs and promote muscle growth as well as containing anti-bacterial garlic, herbs and spices to fend of flu and soothe sore throats.

This recipe requires a slow cooker and the ingredients will feed four or two people and their lunch the next day.

Ingredients:

• 800g chicken tenderloins
• 700g Potatoes
• 500g Pumpkin slices
• 1 bunch of broccolini
• 1 tin of tomatoes
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 3-4 cloves garlic
• 1tbsp vegetable stock powder
• 1 tsbp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp dukkuh for dusting pumpkin and potato
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• sprinkling of thyme and oregano (this is the sign you were looking for to start a herb garden. Call your grandparents and ask for tips now).
• salt and pepper to taste

Method:

1. In your slow cooker, mix together the tinned tomato, stock, cinnamon, nutmeg, soy sauce, garlic and tomato paste. Once this is well combined, add your chicken tenderloin and set your slow cooker to low if cooking for 8-9 hours, high if cooking for 5-6 hours. Leave to simmer away while you go about your other day’s adventures and projects.

2. Slice pumpkin into 3cm thick-ish pieces and arrange on a lined baking tray (or within an air fryer as I did). Salt and dust with dukkuh, if using an oven you may need a light drizzle of olive oil to prevent drying. Roast in an oven or air fry for 30 minutes at 185 degrees Celsius. An oven may require more time.

3. Wash and cut potatoes before boiling in fresh water and a pinch of salt for 10-15 minutes. To check when done, poke through with a fork, they should be soft.

4.To cook broccolini, blanch by covering in boiled water for 2-5 minutes till softened to your liking. Top tip: cook your broccolini in the bowls they will be served in to warm up the bowl and keep your food hotter, longer. Ensure you drain excess water properly.

5. Then all you need do is bring all elements together in your bowl, dosing the herbs onto your potatoes and sprinkling more dukkuh if you wish.