Roughly chop the vegetables. This is a hearty stew !

Don't forget an onion with a clove !

Ideally use a whole chicken, but clearly pieces will do too

Bring chicken stock to the boil

Enhance the stock with a bouquet garni (use string to tie thyme, laurel to a carrot) and add an onion, a little celery, leek.

In this family version of the waterzooi, everything cooks together. Add the chicken first. Count an hour for the chicken. Make sure you have a big enough pot !! We had to switch :-)

After 10 minutes or so, it's time for celery, leeks and carrots to take the dive

Potatoes need about 20 minutes and they go in last of the veggies

Sitting pretty - gentle boil. Taste and season. Don't be shy about using black pepper as the creme fraiche will soften the taste when you add it later.

When all is cooked it's time to add the creme fraiche / whipping cream. The waterzooi absolutely cannot boil once the cream has been added.

Ready to roll !

Lovely looking plate.

Job done ! Time for dessert !

How to cook waterzooi, the awesome belgian chicken stew

Simplest version of the Classic Belgian stew from Ghent that you can do with fish or chicken. Simple and extremely satisfying. A white burgundy or val de Loire will be perfect companions.