Winter Staple: Chicken Cacciatore

At the House in the Village there was a woodstove, which meant long, slow-cooked meals were enjoyed all the Winter long. There were soups and stews, roasts and scrapples, and This. But most often, This. Because, quite simply, this is the epitome of slow cooking. Simple ingredients readily available melting together to form something completely delicious.

We still have it here at the Farm, but it’s not nearly as good. It needs just what it was: a slow spot on the back of a woodstove to simmer the day away. And I promise, as soon as a woodstove graces these halls, it will be the very first thing that’s made.

But for now, here is how it’s done:

Chicken thighs and legs (three of each) are set to sizzle in an olive-oiled cast iron pan (enamel coated is fine), and turned once or twice until all is brown and crisp. These are removed and a sweet onion, chopped medium, a dozen small portabella mushrooms cut in half, and two crushed cloves of garlic are put in their place and cooked until just softened. The chicken is replaced, only now it is set on top of the veggies. In a separate bowl, a six ounce can of tomato paste is stirred with three cups chicken stock, a bag of roasted tomatoes from the garden last summer (a twenty-eight ounce can of pureed will do as a replacement if you ran out) and a splash of white wine. And by a splash I mean a cup. A good cup. To this a half cup sugar is added, along with a half teaspoon red pepper and a teaspoon basil and salt and pepper to taste. This concoction is mixed and poured over the chicken and veggies and the whole thing is turned on low and left alone. Seriously. Only stir about every half hour or so. Yes, you read that right. Ideally, this should cook for about four or more hours on very low. Or, you can crank up the heat and have it done in an hour (you may want to stir it a little more often if you go with that option, though). But trust me. It won’t be nearly as good. When it’s done, it’s served over some pasta, or alongside mashed potatoes. Whatever works for you.