The story of Mary's Cognac Chicken
I can still recall that smell whenever I walk into one of those kitchens. Usually it's only when I go to an unfamiliar house; one that reminds me of my Grandmother's home. You've seen them, though there are fewer of them around now. The kitchen has white porcelain appliances, an old-ish Kelvinator refrig, ceramic tile on the counter tops, an old bread box in the corner, and a well-scoured porcelain sink. That was Mary's kitchen.
My Grandmother, Mary, would always cook my favorite meal whenever she knew I was coming for a visit. I remember especially the cold Winter nights made for a perfect setting as I would get out of my parents' car and crunch through the snow up her front steps. She always thought she was going to surprise me, and I always acted surprised. But I knew that she would do anything for me, and that her "special chicken" would be on the stove, waiting for me.
The best part was that I was never disappointed. When she opened the front door, that aroma floated out, and I took a big breath, then she pulled me close to her and gave me that Grandma-hug. Then she took me by the hand into her kitchen and dipped an old wooden spoon into the pot, blew on it to cool it down, then let me take that first, special taste.
I know that I can't replicate Mary or her kitchen for you, but I believe that I've been able to capture the magic and flavor of her Cognac Chicken. It's that special recipe that she knew by feel, and that I knew by taste. In addition to the wonderful flavor, I've always loved the creamy consistency that the low fat sour cream and navy beans add to the chicken.
Mary would occasionally switch out the beans for egg noodles when she served her Cognac Chicken, but as part of a healthy lifestyle diet, we've included the beans in this recipe (they were my favorites anyhow).
I especially remember one visit to Grandma Mary's house in the early Spring. It was still cold outside, and the crocuses were just starting to bud along the sides of her front walk. When she opened the front door to greet me, I know she saw the disappointment on my face as I didn't smell her special chicken.
But she smiled her biggest grin and scooped me up in her arms, then lead me to the kitchen. "Today is a special day," she said. I looked at the stove and didn't see the old Dutch oven she always used to cook her chicken in. She had me climb up on a small wooden step stool so I could reach the counter, where I could see all the ingredients for her chicken laid out in neat little piles. "Today I will teach you to make your own favorite meal," she continued, waving her hand across the counter showing me what was there, while my smile returned to my face.
It took most of that Spring before I could duplicate her recipe to both her and my own satisfaction, but eventually I was able to make it just the way she did. In later years, Mary was the one to do the visiting. I would always cook Mary's Cognac Chicken before she got to our house, and make sure to greet her at the door, grab her in my arms, and let her smell her chicken on the stove.
I hope you enjoy Mary's Cognac Chicken as much as both Mary and I have over the years.