Recipe: Chicken with Ham, Rice and Vegetables (serves 1 or 2)

CHICKEN WITH HAM, RICE AND VEGETABLES

2 teaspoons olive oil or butter
1 to 2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/3 cup chopped onion or scallions (green stems only)
1/4 to 1/3 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 to 1/3 chopped ham or Cajun sausage
1/2 cup chopped cooked chicken
1 cup chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon chopped rosemary, optional
1/2 cup long-grain rice, such as Texmati
1/4 cup peeled, seeded and chopped tomato
1 to 2 tablespoons minced parsley
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Heat the fat in a large frying pan, add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Stir in the onions, pepper, ham (or sausage) and chicken, and continue cooking, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes.

Add the chicken stock, thyme, optional rosemary and rice. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 15 minutes, or until the rice is barely cooked through. Add water or stock, if necessary. Rice will vary in its absorption qualities.

Stir in the tomato and parsley and season with salt and pepper.

Source: Going Solo in the Kitchen by Jane Doerfer