CHICKEN CACCIATORE

Chicken cacciatore is a great way to use some of the produce that is bursting with ripeness in the backyard. What is cacciatore? It is a Italian term for hunter. Some how this has morphed into a term referring to food prepared 'hunter style'. Hunter style is usually a stew with tomatoes, vegetables, wine and some type of meat. I have some colorful bell peppers, juicy ripe tomatoes and a handful of herbs. They are thrown into a pot with some browned chicken and a little wine. A little cooking time and, Bamm!, one delicious comfort food masterpiece is created. I like to serve it over a bed of rice. Let's start with the chicken.

Take one medium size chicken and cut into 8 pieces. Dredge this chicken in 1 cup of flour spiked with some salt and pepper and a little rub. Fire up a large frying pan on the stove. When the pan gets spanking hot add 1/2 of oil. Fry your flour and spice coated chicken in the oil when it gets hot. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side. You are trying to add a little color to the chicken. Remove and reserve.

Sauce

1. 4 peeled, chopped tomatoes
2. 1/2 pound mushrooms chopped
3. 1 cup white wine
4. 2 or 3 bell peppers chopped (Red, Green, Purple)
5. 1 small onion chopped
6. 4 cloves garlic chopped
7. salt & pepper
8. 4 tablespoons fresh chopped Herbs
9. 2 slices of home made bacon chopped
10. 2 carrots chopped

Use the same skillet that you browned the chicken. Pour out all but 1 tablespoons of oil. Fry bacon for 2 minutes Add onion and garlic and saute for 4 minutes. Add your bell peppers and mushrooms saute for 3 more minutes. Add wine and tomatoes. Bring to simmer. Add salt & pepper. Now is the time to add your reserved chicken. Stir and coat chicken with sauce well. Cover pan and let simmer for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes add your herbs and let rest for 10 minutes. Serve over rice or pasta.

Yesterday I took First Place at the Pragmatic Chef's "Frugal Food Fight". Unfortunately I was the only contestant. Tomorrow is the Rodeo Chili Cook Off. We will be there defending our First Place title from last year. I hope to see some of you!