#COOKING WITH CLORIS--CHICKEN FOR A QUEEN WITH MYSTERY AUTHOR AND SHERLOCKIAN SCHOLAR LIESE SHERWOOD-FABRE

The author's Texas take on Coronation Chicken

In recent years, awarding-winning author Liese Sherwood-Fabre has turned to a childhood passion in the tales of Sherlock Holmes by penning her own version of his origin story. A recognized Sherlockian scholar, her essays on Sherlock and Victorian England are published across the globe and have appeared in the Baker Street Journal, the premiere publication of the Baker Street Irregulars. Learn more about Liese and her books at her website. 

Scone Palace

A Recipe Meant for a Queen

A few years ago, my sister, some friends, and I toured Scotland for a week. One site we visited was Scone Palace (pronounced “scoon” and not related to the breakfast pastry). The palace was where Scottish kings were crowned. The grounds include a small chapel and stone bench where the king sat to be crowned (there’s a whole story related to that stone which you can check out here, if interested).

The Stone of Destiny

There is also a coffee shop (where you can buy scones), and that is where I was introduced to coronation chicken. Another woman in our party got it, and after one taste, I fell in love with it!

Originally created for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation banquet in 1953, Constance Spry and Rosemary Hume created a recipe of cold chicken with curry and dressing, most likely inspired by jubilee chicken prepared for George V’s silver jubilee in 1935. Theirs was more of a salad and lighter than what I had—which was more of a sandwich filling.

Here’s a recipe for the latter I have tweaked from one found on the Internet from Leslie Blythe’s blog (being from Texas, I prefer a spicy mix) and prepared for any number of gatherings—always to rave reviews.

Simply prepare the sauce, blend it with the salad ingredients, and enjoy alone on a bed of rice, greens, or in a sandwich. I often will shred or chop up any leftover chicken as the base—or you can poach or bake the breasts as needed.

Blend together for the sauce:

1/2 cup mayonnaise (I prefer salad dressing like Miracle Whip to add a bit of sweet)

1 tablespoon curry powder (I prefer Madras because its spicier)

2 tablespoons mango chutney (again, the spicier the better)

1 tablespoon vinegar (any variety)

1 tablespoon of lemon juice 

Salt and pepper to taste

Mix with:

3 cups of diced chicken

1/2 yellow onion, diced

1 stalk celery, diced

1/4 cup currants or raisins or chopped dried apricots

Garnish with:

Chopped cashews

Watercress

The Adventure of the Murdered Gypsy

The Early Case Files of Sherlock Holmes, Book 2

What’s a holiday without surprises? It’s Christmas 1867 at Underbyrne, the Holmes family estate. The house is filled with family, relatives, and three unexpected arrivals—all ready to celebrate the holidays. That is, until another uninvited guest appears: dead in the stables. Is someone in the household a murderer? Sherlock must discover the dead man's identity before another unwelcomed body materializes. 

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