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"Maynard and Benedict have certainly exceeded any expectations I may have had before coming to the course. Bravo! I will certainly encourage our friends & family to follow suit. Boys, remember me when you are rich and famous."

Emily Quah,
United Kingdom


Walnut Grove Recipes

Breast of chicken wrapped in Parma ham
on a bed of mashed butternut squash


Smoked salmon with guacamole



Ingredients
Serves 2

  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 1/4 butternut squash
  • 2 slices Parma ham
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme
  • 1 tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 tbsp fresh pesto
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • seasoning to taste

Method

1. Chop the butternut squash into even sized cubes and boil until soft with the fresh thyme.

2. Wrap each chicken breast with a slice of Parma ham, heat a small frying pan, add half the butter and a little oil and seal the chicken on both sides (fry quickly for about 30seconds to a minute on each side, which seals the meat to stop it drying out). Transfer to a hot oven to finish cooking.

3. While the chicken is cooking, drain the cooked squash and mash it with the Parmesan cheese, the remaining butter and seasoning to taste.

4. To serve, put half the mashed squash on each plate, carefully place the cooked chicken on top, and drizzle generously with fresh pesto.

For the Pesto:

  • 125g fresh basil
  • 100ml olive oil
  • 1 tbsp pine nuts
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme
  • 1 tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated
  • seasoning to taste

Simply add all the ingredients to a small food processor and blitz.

Vegetables in blender


Blended ingredients
Smoked salmon in template
Quinnel of guacamole
Finishing garnish


Serving Suggestions

This dish is a lovely winter warmer and extremely easy and quick to prepare. As a summer dish the addition of a crisp green salad would be an ideal accompaniment.

Advanced preparation

The chicken breasts can be pre wrapped, the pesto can be made up to a day or so in advance and although the mash can be made in advance it really is better made to order.


Walnut Grove cookery courses - a dream vacation - in wonderful surroundings

Experience the reality of gourmet cooking yourself. There is only one way to learn and that is to do it! Top chefs, luxury accommodation, set in France - the home of gourmet cuisine; what more could you ask for?

Your hosts and tutors are acclaimed chefs Maynard Harvey and Benedict Haines, two modern chefs who use the freshest ingredients with an emphasis on distinct flavours and clean, meticulous presentation. Their passion and enthusiasm for cooking will stimulate your own love of food, and their expertise will help you gain confidence and perfect your technique in the kitchen.

To find out more about our holidays, courses, accommodation and location deep in the heart of the 'real' French countryside, please look around our site. For further information, contact us.