Chicken a La King-Canning

Ingredients

• 2 (3.5-4 lb)  stewing chicken, cut into pieces

• 2 stalks celery, quartered
• 1 large onion, quartered
• 1 carrot, quartered
• 5 peppercorns
• 2 whole allspice
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 cup butter (or chicken fat)
• 1/2 cup flour
• 5 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup celery, chopped (about 1 stalk)
• 1/4 cup pimiento, chopped
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
• salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. 1

   Combine chicken, celery stalks, onion, carrot, peppercorns, allspice, bay leaf and salt in a large saucepan. Cover with water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat; simmer 2 to 3 hours or until chicken is tender.

2. 2

   Remove and discard vegetables. Allow chicken to cool in broth. Remove chicken. Skim off excess fat; strain broth. Remove skin and bones from meat. Cut meat into 1" pieces.

3. 3

   Melt butter or fat; add flour, stirring until smooth. Gradually stir ini the chicken broth and cook until it's thickened, stirring constantly. Add chicken and remaining ingredients. Simmer 5 minutes. Remove air bubbles. Adjust caps. Process pints 1 hour and 5 minutes, quarts 1 hour and 15 minutes, at 10 pounds pressure in a steam pressure canner.

4. 4

   Yield: about 4 pints or 2 quarts.

5. 5

   To serve:.

6. 6

   Brown 1-2 cups mushrooms in butter; add mushrooms to Chicken a la King, if desired. Heat until hot throughout.