Welcome back to the blog, and welcome to 2021. In true 2021 spirit, I didn’t make anything this week. But don’t worry. Thanks to reader Jessica, we still have a post!
This is Jessica’s Frosted Chicken Loaf!
AuthorRetroRuth
From Knudsen Dairy
Tested Recipe!
[cooked-sharing]
Cooking chicken in boiling, salted water until tender, or pressure cook. Remove meat from bones and cut up. Or use leftover chicken
Combine chicken with remaining ingredients, except mashed potatoes; toss lightly. Pour into greased loaf pan. Bake in a pan of hot water in moderate oven (350 degrees) 50 minutes - until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Unmold.
Carefully spread mashed potatoes over top and sides of the loaf to make a half-inch potato frosting. Score with a fork to make a swirly design. Place under broiler just long enough to brown delicately. Serve with a border of peas or other green, cooked vegetables.
Ingredients
Directions
Cooking chicken in boiling, salted water until tender, or pressure cook. Remove meat from bones and cut up. Or use leftover chicken
Combine chicken with remaining ingredients, except mashed potatoes; toss lightly. Pour into greased loaf pan. Bake in a pan of hot water in moderate oven (350 degrees) 50 minutes - until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Unmold.
Carefully spread mashed potatoes over top and sides of the loaf to make a half-inch potato frosting. Score with a fork to make a swirly design. Place under broiler just long enough to brown delicately. Serve with a border of peas or other green, cooked vegetables.
I’m just going to let Jessica narrate this one. And then maybe I’ll take a nap or something.
Jessica writes:
I found myself cleaning my pantry and freezer this week, clearing out some of the pandemic over-stocking I had done back in the spring. Among the items I decided to use up was a frozen package of chicken parts and a package of instant mashed potatoes. It occurred to me that I’d just seen a recipe that would work, and so here’s my take on the frosted chicken loaf.
I added a little extra marjoram and rosemary, and also some fresh thyme. All was looking pretty good.
This is when I remembered that I don’t like cottage cheese, and also that there’s an ungodly amount of dairy in this meatloaf.
Oh well.
Happily baking in its water bath. The pan wasn’t as full as I expected, but it was plenty.
It made an indescribable sound on the way out of the pan, but it did hold together nicely.
I’m no artist, or cake decorator, so I was just happy that the potatoes were on the loaf.
I probably should have left it in longer, but my broiler tends to smoke and I didn’t want to send all of my neighbors out into the cold for the sake of a browned chicken loaf.
The Verdict: Good
From Jessica’s Tasting Notes –
This was good. It tastes like chicken with stuffing and potatoes, all in one bite. I thought it was going to need gravy, but I think all the dairy in there kept it moist. There’s no distinct taste from all of the dairy either – definitely my preference. Gravy wouldn’t hurt, of course, and I had my piece with some of the fresh cranberry sauce I’d just made for Thanksgiving. It would be a good place for holiday leftovers.
Your mashed potatoes look much better than mine would. Glad it tasted nice!
I would try this. With some minced onion and more seasoning I think this could be tasty.
I’ve realized-I’m very much the product of my age. I was born in 1960-and I don’t like very many spices, herbs, but give me a can of mushroom soup and some kind of protein, and I’m on my way! I don’t even like things too salted, I like the taste of the food, my husband and I don’t agree on that!
I may be off base in this thought, but my parents were the children of the Depression era, I think they passed along that feeling we were all just so happy to have food. My grandma was a great cook, but she was very vocal in her feelings you did not waste food. Times change, and I guess I just want to mention, these old bland recipes come from a place of deprivation. I happen to like many of them, but that is what I grew up with!
The chicken loaf is a thing of beauty — and what a way to use up some leftovers from a roast chicken too!
I grew up on Knudsen dairy products, so it was fun to see a recipe from the company. Thank you both for a little nostalgia.