Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Words & Brush Recipe Corner: Apricot Chicken – The 70’s Classic That Still Tastes Great


Apricot Chicken – The 70’s Classic That Still Tastes Great


By Lees Cooking, March 31, 2026

https://leescooking.com/apricot-chicken/





This apricot chicken recipe was everywhere in Australia back in the 1970s — I wouldn’t be surprised if it appeared on the dinner table at least once a week in many homes. It’s one of those recipes that became so popular because it’s simple, reliable, and very family friendly. The recipe is much the same, but just a little different. I came across this version in a small church cookbook a few years ago, and it has a couple of extra ingredients that really lift the flavour. It’s still quick and easy to make, but the sauce is a little richer, a little creamier, and altogether more delicious.

Prep time 15 mins, Cook time 50 mins
Servings: 4-6 servings
A comforting apricot chicken recipe made with tender chicken in a rich, creamy apricot sauce. This 1970s classic is simple, family-friendly, and full of flavour.
Ingredients:
  • 1 to 1.3 kg chicken pieces, such as drumsticks, bone-in pieces or boneless chicken thigh fillets
  • 1-2 tablespoons oil
  • 1-2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup plain flour (all-purpose) (35 g)
  • 1 packet French onion soup mix (40 g)
  • 1 1/4 cups water (310 ml)
  • 1 tin apricot nectar (410 g) (or 1 x 410 g tin apricot halves in natural juice, blended to a puree)
  • 2 chicken stock cubes, crumbled (use small/standard cubes — if using large cubes, use 1 or adjust to taste)
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
    • 1/2 cup evaporated milk (125 ml) or sour cream


Directions:  

  • Preheat the oven to 160°C fan-forced (320°F) or 180°C conventional (350°F).
  • Heat a large pan over medium heat, then add the oil and butter.
  • Brown the chicken for about 15 minutes, turning occasionally, until lightly golden. Cook in batches if needed.
  • Transfer the chicken to a casserole dish.
  • If there is excess fat in the pan, drain most of it, leaving a thin film behind.
  • Add the flour and French onion soup mix to the pan and cook over medium-low heat for 1–2 minutes, stirring, until lightly browned.
  • Remove from heat and gradually stir in the water and apricot nectar (or apricot puree).
  • Add the stock cubes, pepper, and a little salt (the soup mix may already be salty).
  • Whisk until smooth.
  • Return to the stove and bring to a gentle simmer.
  • Stir in the evaporated milk or sour cream.
  • Pour the sauce over the chicken in the casserole dish.
  • Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thickened.
  • If using boneless chicken thighs, reduce cooking time to about 40 minutes.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
  • Serve with rice and a green vegetable — simple, comforting and delicious. Garnish with a little chopped parsley if desired.
For more directions watch the video bellow:


Enjoy! 
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Friday, April 17, 2026

Words & Brush Weekender: Easy listening music and chat, Friday 17th April 2026, Free Choice - all genres of music welcome

Words & Brush Weekender: Easy listening music and chat, Friday 17th April 2026, Free Choice - all genres of music welcome

Enjoy some good music here on Words & Brush, it's your free choice so please post any of your favorite music of all genres!

Carole King - I Feel the Earth Move

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Words & Brush Recipe Corner: Veggie Drawer Soup

Veggie Drawer Soup

By Henny Shor, Jerusalem Post, April 4, 2026

https://www.jpost.com/food-recipes/article-891761 

                                       Vegetable soup. (credit: HENNY SHOR)

Veggie Drawer Soup

This recipe was originally published shortly after October 7,2023, at a

 time when we were all leaning on comfort food a little more than usual.

And truthfully, this past month has shown me that we’re still there. When things feel heavy having something warm and nourishing on the stove can make all the difference.

This soup is exactly that. It’s simple, flexible, and delivers every single time. It’s also the perfect way to use up any vegetables before they go to waste – just add what you have, let it simmer, and you have something truly comforting ready to go.

Yields 8-10 servings

Ingredients:

2 onions, sliced

6-8 cloves of garlic, peeled

¼ cup olive oil

1 Tbsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. turmeric

1 tsp. garlic powder

8-10 cups of vegetables, washed/peeled/cut:

Peppers, carrots, zucchini, celery, sweet potato, leek, cabbage, broccoli...

½ cup of fresh herbs or 2 Tbsp. dry herbs: parsley/dill/coriander/basil

Directions:

Start with sautéing onions and garlic, then peel and chop whatever vegetables you have in your veggie drawer, such as carrots, zucchini, peppers, cabbage, parsley, celery, potatoes, sweet potatoes, leeks, and broccoli. Really, whatever you’ve got, this will work. The important part is that you put love into it.

Add in the veggies you have, even if only three kinds. Add salt, pepper, and lots of savoury spices that you like (turmeric, garlic powder, onion flakes, paprika, ginger....). Add in enough water to cover the veggies, then put in any greens like dill, cilantro (coriander), or parsley in the pot. If you don’t have fresh, you can use dry herbs.

Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to simmer for 90 minutes to 2 hours.

Remove any greens that have stems before blending. The flavour is already in the soup!

Let cool and use an immersion blender or food processor with the steel S-shaped blade to blend the soup together.

Put the remaining soup in containers to share or freeze.


Enjoy! 
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Friday, April 10, 2026

Words & Brush Weekender: Easy listening music and chat, Friday 10th April 2026, Free Choice - all genres of music welcome

Words & Brush Weekender: Easy listening music and chat, Friday 10th April 2026, Free Choice - all genres of music welcome

Enjoy some good music here on Words & Brush, it's your free choice so please post any of your favorite music of all genres!

Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Words & Brush Recipe Corner: Crispy Potato Flake Chicken

Crispy Potato Flake Chicken

By Henny Shor, Jerusalem Post, April 4, 2026

https://www.jpost.com/food-recipes/article-891761

                                             Crispy chicken. (credit: HENNY SHOR)

This recipe was originally printed in 2021, and the response was so incredible that I knew it deserved to be shared again. Shake-and-bake chicken is one of those classic recipes that everyone loves – and for good reason. It’s simple, quick, and always comes out delicious. This version has a bit of a twist, using instant potato flakes (instant mashed potatoes) as the coating.

And then comes the bonus. When you’re left with boxes of potato flakes, this is one of my favorite ways to use them up. It turns into a real winner dinner – easy, reliable, and something we make all year long in our home.

Yields 6-8 servings

Ingredients: 

6-8 pieces bone-in chicken
1½-2 cups instant potato flakes
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. black pepper
1 Tbsp. garlic crystals
1 Tbsp. onion flakes
2 Tbsp. olive oil

Directions: 

Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F. In a large bowl, combine the potato flakes with the salt, pepper, garlic crystals, and onion flakes. Wet each piece of chicken with water, then dip it into the potato flake mixture, coating it well on all sides. Arrange the chicken pieces in a large baking dish, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Drizzle the olive oil over the top, then bake uncovered for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, until the chicken is tender and the juices run clear. If needed, continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes until fully cooked through.

Variation: For boneless, skinless chicken breast, reduce the cooking time to about 45-50 minutes.



Enjoy! 

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