Chicken Cacciatore

In our household, certain recipes are prepared only when an important major ingredient is in season locally. Chicken Cacciatore is an example and now is the time to cook this succulent dish. Fresh tomatoes from your garden or the farmers market are the important ingredient that transforms this dish into something very special. Canned or hothouse tomatoes just will not do the job.

When I was a kid my family often ate Sunday dinner in a restaurant called Cinelli’s Country House in New Jersey. They really knew about Chicken Cacciatore and that was what I ordered every time we ate there.
The Country House is long gone and I pursued my cacciatore memories for years. This recipe ended the pursuit. My wife insists on the fresh tomatoes and that is what puts our Chicken Cacciatore into a league of it’s own.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons oil
1 frying chicken cut up
1 large onion peeled and chopped
1 medium green pepper, cored, seeded & chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
3 ½ cups fresh ripened tomatoes, peeled, seeded & chopped
1 8oz. can tomato sauce
½ cup red wine(chianti)
2 teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon allspice
½ teaspoon dried thyme
2 Bay leaves
¼ cup Chopped Italian Parsley (for garnish)
¼ cup Parmesan cheese(for garnish)

Preparation:
Step 1. Heat oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven and sauté chicken pieces until golden on all sides.
Step 2. Remove chicken from skillet
Step 3. Add onions, green pepper and garlic and sauté lightly
Step 4. Add remaining ingredients and cook for three minutes
Step. 5 Return Chicken to skillet
Step 6. Simmer uncovered for 45-60 minutes until chicken is fork tender

Serve with crusty Italian bread and garnish with parsley and Parmesan. It also works well over Risotto

Tips To peel tomatoes-Cover with boiling water for a few minutes –Plunge into ice water and peel skins away easily.
Cacciatore is even more flavorful the second day. You can prepare this a day in advance if entertaining.
Parmigiano Reggiano is always the preferred Parmesan to use. Buy some grated and freeze. It is special and also a bit expensive, but as a garnish adds a special touch.

Buck Cooks is a daily blog covering the best recipes and kitchen cookware information.