French Chicken Casserole a la Normande

French Chicken Casserole a la Normande Ingredients 2 cloves garlic minced 125g/4 oz bacon lardons or 6 strips of bacon, chopped 2 tbsp brandy or whiskey 2 tbsp flour 85 ml/1/3 cup chicken stock 400ml/1 1/2 cups hard dry apple cider such as Strongbow 2 apples peeled, cored and cut into wedges 125ml/1/2cup double cream/heavy cream 1 tbsp olive oil 2 lbs chicken thighs and legs salt 4 shallots diced or one medium onion 1 rib celery diced 4-5 thyme sprigs French Chicken Casserole a la Normande Instructions Turn the oven on to 180C/350F. Pat dry chicken legs and thighs with a paper towel and salt all over. In a large casserole dish brown the chicken parts in 1 tbsp of oil over medium- high heat until golden. Remove to a separate platter and set aside. Discard the chicken fat or reserve it for another use if desired. Fry the bacon lardons over medium heat until the fat is rendered. (If the bacon is very fatty, discard most of the fat.) Remove the bacon to the same plat...