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Chicken fricassee

Chicken Fricassee

Course Main Dish
Cuisine Eastern European, Family/Traditional

Ingredients
  

  • 16-20 oz. beef, veal or turkey chopped, or a combination
  • 1/2 cup matzah meal
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tbs. vegetable oil (or melted chicken fat)
  • 12-15 chicken wings cut into sections
  • 1 lb. chicken gizzards
  • 3 medium onions sliced
  • 1 tbs. paprika approximately
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 cups water approximately
  • 4 medium all-purpose potatoes peeled and cut into small chunks, optional
  • 4 carrots cut into chunks, optional
  • 10 oz. mushrooms coarsely cut, optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400 F.
  • In a large bowl, combine the chopped meat, matzah meal and egg, and mix thoroughly. Shape the meat mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls and place them on a large baking sheet.
  • Bake the meatballs for 16-18 minutes, turning them occasionally, or until lightly browned on all sides. Remove the meatballs from the oven and set aside.
  • Reduce the oven heat to 300 F. Pour the vegetable oil into a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the wings a few at a time and cook them for 6-8 minutes, turning them occasionally, or until lightly browned. Remove the wings from the pan and set aside.
  • Add the gizzards to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove the gizzards from the pan and set aside.
  • Add the onions to the pan and cook them, stirring occasionally, for 6-8 minutes or until lightly browned and softened.
  • Using the same pan (if large enough) or an ovenproof casserole, return the meatballs, wings and gizzards to the pan.
  • Spoon some of the onions on top of the meats. Sprinkle the ingredients with the paprika, salt and pepper. You might have to use layers, depending on the size of the pan; if so, season each layer before adding the next.
  • Pour in 2 cups water. Either cover the casserole and bake the fricassee for 45 minutes OR turn the cooktop heat to low, cover the pan and cook on the stovetop for 45 minutes. Add the optional ingredients if desired, cover the pan and cook an additional 50-60 minutes, or until the meats and vegetables are tender. Check the pan occasionally and turn the ingredients gently if the ones on top seem dry. Check fluid levels and add more water if needed.

Notes

(Ronnie Fein is a freelance food and lifestyle writer. She has written for the food sections of daily newspapers and is the author of four cookbooks. She was also a contributing editor to “The New Cook’s Catalogue,” the 25th anniversary edition of the James Beard original.)