"Life is complicated Cooking does not need to be," Elizabeth Hewson says.This recipe was first conceived when she arrived home after a long day, craving a stew but she also needed something fast."That's how I came up with the It's-going-to-be-OK chicken stew because it doesn't ask very much of you."It's a shortcut to that feeling that you get when you've slow-cooked something all Sunday, but without that time or labour."The recipe opts for leek because Elizabeth doesn't want to be chopping an onion when she's in the mood that this dish calls for.There is sometimes an inclination to use chicken breast rather than thigh, but Elizabeth says thighs are best because they have less of a tendency to dry out during cooking.Chicken thighs are a forgiving, versatile and pretty affordable cut of meat, she says."They can be the base of so many dishes."She adds you should feel free to dress up this "hug in a bowl" stew with extra vegetables and flavours."Recipe books should be a guide not a rule book"This recipe is taken from Home Food by Elizabeth Hewson.