Vegetable-and-Chicken Stew With Olive-Oil-Rosemary Biscuits

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Heat the oven to 400. Put 3 tablespoons of the oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the leek and a sprinkle of salt and pepper; cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms, and cook until their liquid has released and evaporated, 8 to 10 minutes.

2. Step 2

   Add the stock, and bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer, and add the carrots and chicken; cook until the chicken is cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the peas and asparagus. In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with a few tablespoons of the broth until smooth; add to the pot, and stir until the liquid thickens a bit. Taste and adjust the seasoning.

3. Step 3

   Put the flour, baking powder, baking soda, rosemary, lemon zest, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper in a food processor. Add the butter and remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil, and pulse until the mixture looks like small peas. Add the buttermilk and eggs, and pulse until just combined (the batter should be sticky).

4. Step 4

   Spread about half of the batter over the stew, leaving a few gaps for steam to escape. Spoon the remaining batter into an ovenproof skillet or baking dish. Bake the stew until golden and bubbly, about 25 minutes, and the extra batter until golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Scoop the stew and crust into bowls, adding in extra pieces of biscuit as desired.