CHICKEN MARYLAND

Chicken Maryland is historically associated with the Eastern Seaboard of the United States and many families there liked to use their own secret combination of ingredients to make the dish their own. It was served on the Titanic on 14 April, the day before it sank – which is, of course, the point at which the TV series Downton Abbey began, with the death of the Earl of Grantham’s nearest heir. This recipe is for the version we serve today.

Serves 4

Butter, for greasing, plus 50g (2oz) for the sauce 4tbsp plain flour

1tbsp hot paprika 1 medium egg, beaten 100g (3½oz) breadcrumbs (homemade if possible) 4 x 125g (4½oz) skinless, boneless chicken breasts, or 8 chicken drumsticks and thighs

½ a red pepper, deseeded and roughly chopped

300ml (10fl oz) double cream

8 slices of streaky bacon Salt and pepper

Sprigs of watercress, to garnish

Mashed potatoes and green beans, to serve

Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/gas 6 and grease a baking tray. Combine the flour, paprika and some seasoning in one bowl, place the beaten egg in another bowl, and the breadcrumbs in a third bowl. Remove a tablespoon of the seasoned flour and set aside in a small bowl for later. Coat each piece of chicken with the rest of the flour mixture. Dip the floured chicken pieces into the beaten egg, then coat in the breadcrumbs. Place on the baking tray and bake for approximately 45 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

While the chicken is cooking, make a sauce. Melt the 50g (2oz) butter in a saucepan over a low heat. Add the chopped pepper and cook for about 5 minutes until soft, then stir in the reserved tablespoon of seasoned flour and take off the heat. Gradually stir in the cream and return to a low heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring all the time (do not let the sauce boil or it will split), until thickened.

Roll up each rasher of bacon and secure with cocktail sticks. Place on the baking tray with the chicken and cook for 8 minutes, until crispy. Garnish the chicken with watercress sprigs and serve with the creamy pepper sauce, streaky bacon rolls, mashed potatoes and green beans.