French Chicken Casserole a la Normande

Ingredients

• 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
• 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 ½ cups hard dry apple cider such as Strongbow
• 2 apples peeled, cored and cut into wedges
• 125ml/1/2cup double cream/heavy cream