Pesto chicken cobbler

Instructions

1. Make the pesto by blanching the kale for 1 minute in a large pan of salted, boiling water. Drain in a colander and refresh under cold running water. Squeeze out the excess water with your hands. Put the blanched kale, basil, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice and cheese into a food processor and whizz to a chunky pesto. Season to taste, then set aside.
2. Mist a large nonstick pan with cooking spray and fry the shallots and leeks over a medium heat, covered, for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Set aside on a plate.
3. Put the stock and chicken into the same pan, and bring to a simmer. Season and simmer gently for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and leave the chicken to cool in the stock for 10 minutes, before lifting out onto a plate with a slotted spoon.
4. Preheat the oven to 200°C, fan 180°C, gas mark 6. Bring the stock up to the boil. Combine the cornflour with 3 tablespoons water then whisk it into the stock, until thickened. Simmer for 5 minutes then remove from the heat and stir in the cooked veg, crème fraîche and kale pesto. Shred the chicken and stir through the sauce, then tip into a medium baking dish.
5. For the cobbler topping, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, egg, buttermilk and chives in a bowl and bring together to a sticky dough. Spoon 4 large spoonfuls of the dough over the chicken mixture. Bake for 18-20 minutes until the topping is risen and golden. Serve with the salad.