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Mom Knows Best Suzan Ward Places Third In Crisco’s Kid-Pleasing Chicken Recipe Contest

Rick Bonino Food Editor

By now, it’s got to be more than beginner’s luck.

Suzan Ward of Coeur d’Alene, who didn’t start entering recipe contests until this year, was Idaho’s representative at the National Chicken Cookoff in South Carolina in April. Then she won the appetizer category in a Woman’s Day contest for canned foods.

And a couple of weeks ago, Ward’s chicken with apple-cream sauce took third place in the Crisco Great American Cooks Contest finals in New York City, earning her a personal computer package.

Ward, 33, said she’s been making the easy, sweet-sauced chicken dish for several years. It’s a favorite of her 4-year-old son, Ryan.

And when Ward heard about the Crisco contest - for “child-pleasing” chicken recipes - “I knew it would be exactly what they were looking for,” she said.

On the other hand, it’s sophisticated enough to satisfy more discriminating palates, like Ward and her husband, David.

“The chicken can be for the family, or it can be served at a party to adults,” agreed one of the Crisco judges, Jenifer Lang, author of “Jenifer Lang Cooks for Kids.”

See for yourself.

Chicken With Apple-Cream Sauce

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon canola oil

1 cup apple cider or juice

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes, or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley

Cooked brown and wild rice blend

Rinse chicken, pat dry and sprinkle with salt.

Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken. Cook about 4 minutes per side, or until browned.

Add apple cider, lemon juice, rosemary and pepper. Reduce heat and cover; simmer for 10 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink in center. Remove chicken and keep warm.

Add heavy cream to skillet. Cook and stir until reduced and thickened; stir in parsley flakes. Heat about 2 minutes.

Serve chicken with sauce spooned over top, accompanied by cooked rice.

Yield: 4 servings.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo