Classic Chicken Divan

6 heads broccoli, cut into florets
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup rice flour
1/2 cup sherry (optional)
6 cups chicken broth
1-1/2 cups heavy cream
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
3 pinches ground black pepper
6 cooked chicken breast halves or chicken strips - bones and skin removed, cut into 1/4 inch slices
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.

Add broccoli, and cook until just tender, 3 to 4 minutes.

Drain and rinse well with cold water to chill.

Place drained broccoli into a 9x13 inch baking dish and set aside.

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.

Whisk in rice flour, and cook, whisking constantly, until the flour begins to turn from white, to a pale beige, about 3 minutes.

Whisk in sherry, chicken broth, and heavy cream until smooth.

Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper.

Pour half of the hot cream sauce over the broccoli and top with chicken slices.

Stir Parmesan cheese into the remaining sauce, and pour over the chicken slices.

Sprinkle top with extra cheese, if desired.

Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until heated through, then broil for a few minutes until top has turned golden brown.

Serves 12

Curried Chicken Divan

2 cups cooked, cubed chicken breast meat
1 pound fresh broccoli, cooked and chopped
1 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 tablespoons curry powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
salt and pepper to taste
2 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (6 ounce) can French-fried onions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Spread chicken in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish, top with broccoli.

In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, curry powder, cayenne pepper, garlic salt, salt and pepper and mix well.

Add 1 cup of Cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup and cream of mushroom soup and mix again, then pour mixture over chicken and broccoli.

Sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 cups of cheese and top with onions.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes.

Serves 10