On writing deadline days, I want to cook, but often there’s little time. So, what’s easier than whipping out my beloved slow cooker, assembling a few ingredients, and turning that magical appliance on low. As my house is filled with wonderful aromas, I hit my deadlines out of the park.
Recently I’ve been dreaming of a favorite dish I had on my trips to Ireland over the years (six trips), at a restaurant in Doolin, Co. Clare. The Bruach naHaille restaurant, currently closed for now, is adjacent to the rushing Aille river, and one of the top beautiful places on the planet. Bruach naHaille loosely translates to “the edge of the river,” also with a nod to the stunning Cliffs of Moher nearby. If there are fairies and spirits in Ireland, this is where they would meet, I’m sure. The cottage restaurant used to serve a heavenly chicken and peaches dish. Of course there were other things on the menu whch I was oblivious to, this is what I ordered each time.
A few weeks ago when I was grocery shopping, I picked up a peach wine spread, made by the Tulsa-based Toasted Wine Fruit Spreads. Besides the obvious of spreading it on bread and crackers, immediately I thought of the chicken and peaches dish. Adding the spread I thought would give the dish a wonderful bit of glaze, and infuse a much more intense peach flavor, especially when cooked slowly in a slow cooker. And yes it did, accompanied with steamed rice, and I was right back in that otherworldly restaurant with my favorite meal.
Corey Carolina, creator of the tasty Toasted Wine Fruit Spreads grew up with amazing cooking coming out of his grandmother’s kitchen.
“My grandmother use to make jelly when I was younger,” said Corey. “She would frequently ask me to come into the kitchen to learn her recipes. At the time I was more interested in eating the jelly than making it so of course like many teenagers, I said ‘Okay grandma next time’. My grandmother passed and no one in the family had learned her recipes. I decided four and a half years ago that I wanted to make my own jelly that would have made my grandmother proud,” he explained.
Besides making scrumptious fruit spreads and other yummy food items (see toastedwinespreads.com) Corey is always on the move with various community activities and charities.
“People ask me where do I get the energy to travel to all the food shows that I attend, raise a family, and continue to give back to the community. I tell them that I am driven because I want a better life for my family and others. My grandmother would have been so proud of all the great support that our customers give us. I have learned so much from my customers and my team,” said Corey.
Trust me Corey, I am sure your grandmother would be proud of these wonderful spreads and your good work. I can’t wait to test my creativity (and meet my writing deadlines!) with the next fruit spread.
Chicken and Peaches with Toasted Wine Fruit Spread
1 cup chicken stock
6 chicken thighs, about 1-1/2 pounds
2 15-oz. cans of peaches or 4 cups drained fresh peaches (save the juice)
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1-1/2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 small shallot, sliced thin
salt and pepper to taste
1 garlic clove, minced
½ cup peach Toasted Wine Fruit Spreads
1 tsp. lemon juice
Assemble all ingredients in a slow cooker, stir, and set on low for four hours. See? I said this appliance was magical. Add the saved peach juice while cooking if the chicken becomes too dry, or add to taste. Serve with steamed rice on the side and a salad. Or, hasselback potatoes and kale, as pictured. Serves 4.