We recently located to Cheticamp, Cape Breton (Nova Scotia) to temporarily live with my sister and her husband. Cheticamp is very small town of maybe 3,000 people according to the 2006 census (the most recent one I could find.) I quit my job that had a pension and benefits. My husband was already retired so that helped a lot in our decision. Sold our house at a stupidly inflated price (the housing market is out of control!) Packed up all the animals: 2 dogs, 3 cats, 6 finches. And drove 23 hours more or less nonstop to arrive at our destination.
Some people were worried that we would have a hard time adjusting from a “big” city like Guelph to a small town with basic amenities. No Big Box stores within 2 hours. The grocery store (a co-op) is closed on Sundays. There is one bank. No stop lights. There is one coffee place in town and it is not a Tim Horton's nor a Starbucks.
Was I worried about giving up all the conveniences of big city? Not really. I grew up in the small town of Morrisburg, Ontario. Not even enough of a population to constitute a town...technically a village. A village by the St. Lawrence River. I missed the river. I learned to swim in that river. I used to swim like a fish. Now we are living by the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
I never thought I would return to a life in a small town. I was a big city girl. Until a Pandemic hits and you are forced to face life and what matters most head on. Everything gets deconstructed back to the bare bones. So what matters most and what makes me happy now?
I love the water. Watching the waves. Are they calm today or crashing up against the rocks? On calm days we can sometimes see Pilot Whales breaching and seals swimming past. On windy days the Crows and the Bald Headed Eagles are most active. I never knew that there were so many varieties of Gulls out there. The way that they and the Crows hover is truly an art form. I love the way that the Cormorants spread their wings to sun themselves on rocks. And then there are the acrobats that dive head first in to the ocean in search of their meal. And so many Hummingbirds! I have a new favourite bird, Song Sparrows. So tiny. Such a sweet song. And Herons. Bird watching paradise.
So am I sad to leave the big city of Guelph? I’d say no mostly. When I was growing up I was kind of annoyed that everyone knew everyone else's business. But this is different. I’m from “Away.” Everyone waves to each other when passing, they all say “Hello”, and “Excuse me” and “Sorry.” I am and will always be a small town girl at heart. We had some very amazing neighbours in Guelph and had over the fence/in the driveway discussions/banters that we loved and miss. I miss my friends.
We just bought a house of our own along the sea in Grand Etang. We went to the small Post Office to request a new P.O. box for our house. The Postmaster there fills in part time between different offices for the regular incumbent. He asked for our names. “Shearing”, he said, “I just came across that somewhere else. It’s not a usual name for this area.” I replied “ That would be my sister that lives in Cheticamp.” So now amongst the 3000 or so of les Aucoin, Desveau, Bourgeois, Ramard, Chiasson, LeBlanc, Cormier, Camus and LaFort's....there are now two Shearings. People here know that you are from “Away” but you are still accepted and Welcomed. This is why we are here and just what we needed.
So in celebration of our new adventure and our new home, I wanted to make a traditional Acadian meal. This is my first foray: A Classic Chicken Fricot with Dumplings. A fricot is not a fricot unless you use Summer Savory apparently. So I've stocked up on Summer Savory (should last me for the next 2 years I'd say.) It's a classic dish for a reason. Warm, comforting, and savory of course....exactly what we needed.
So from Bistro 164 I say "Au fricot!", meaning "let's eat!" Cheers to that.
Acadian Chicken Fricot
For the Fricot
1 whole chicken cut into large pieces. You can also use already chopped chicken breast, thighs etc but it's just as easy and way more economical to use a whole chicken. I'm all about the economical. I left the skin on for more flavour
2 tbsp butter (I tend to use more than recommended- I love butter!)
1 large onion, chopped- I used about 5 shallots instead
3 celery sticks, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
5 cups of diced potatoes, dice them on the small size so that they will cook quicker
10 cups of water
1 tbsp or so of Summer Savory (I may have added a wee bit more)
Salt and Pepper to taste
For the Dumplings
1 cup of all purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup of cold water
Heat the butter in a large pot. Add in the chicken pieces in batches and cook until they are golden brown. Remove the chicken and set aside. Add in the onion, celery, carrots to the same pot and sauté until the onion softens, maybe 5-10 minutes. Add the chicken back into the pot along with the juices. Add the water, Summer Savory, salt and pepper. Simmer until the chicken is tender, around 20 minutes or so I found. Add in the potatoes and cook for another 20 minutes until they soften.
To make your dumplings (my favourite part), mix together the flour, salt and baking powder in a small or medium sized bowl. Gradually add the cold water in and mix together. Using a large spoon, drop the dumplings into the fricot. Cover and let the dumplings cook for 7 minutes. Add more salt, pepper or savory as needed.
Serve piping hot and enjoy!
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