I have chatted with so many friends who thought, in December, that the first month of 2021 signaled the end of the pandemic. Though this may occur before year’s end, we must still be patient. So, our 2021 lifestyles are still not that much different, yet. We must energize ourselves again to be vigilant a bit longer as the virus continues its stealth path. How do we do this? I turn to my kitchen. Our homes have been our safe place and will continue to do so. Brighten your family’s day by preparing a heartfelt meal. I suggest the wholesomeness of Chicken & Biscuits. This family style entrée will bring a smile to anyone’s face. On the stove top, in a large cast-iron skillet sauté chopped onion, green pepper, celery and diced carrots in butter. When the vegetables are soft, add 1 crushed glove of garlic. Add 1/2 cup of sherry to deglaze the skillet. Add thyme leaves (not the stems). Add 1/2 cup of flour to make a roux. Cook until incorporated. Add very hot ½ and ½ milk, little by little to begin the sauce. Add, little by little, heated chicken sauce to begin to slightly liquify the sauce. In a separate small bowl, hand beat 1 egg yolk, until completely smooth. Add a little sauce to the egg bowl and stir vigorously to prepare the egg mixture to be put into the skillet. (If you put the egg straight into the skillet, you will have a cooked egg yolk – not an incorporated egg yolk.) Add pre-cooked boiled chicken pieces. Gently simmer until all of the ingredients in the dish are hot and adjust the seasoning to taste. Remove the skillet from the direct heat, but keep warm. Prepare the biscuits and preheat the oven to 425⁰F. When almost ready to serve to your family, place the cut biscuit dough on top of the chicken mixture. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the biscuits are baked through. Serve in the middle of your table, placed on a double layer of hot pads. 2021 just had a bright place, emanating from the glow from the middle of your kitchen table. © Kelly McBride Loft