Chicken Cacciatore

Ever since I had some delicious chicken cacciatore in a restaurant several weeks ago I've been wanting to try my hand at this classic dish. Rather than use a specific recipe, I decided to invent my own version. It is cooking away on the stove right now......

If the smell is any indication, I think it will be delicious! Here is what I did:

Ingredients:

1 pkg chicken thighs with skin and bones (4 or 5 thighs)

1 pkg chicken drumsticks also with skin (4 or 5 drumsticks)

1 large onion cut in half and sliced

1 large green pepper thinly sliced

1 large red pepper thinly sliced

4 or 5 cloves of garlic roughly chopped

5 or 6 large mushrooms, sliced

5 or 6 black olives, roughly chopped (I used oil cured black olives for a richer flavor)

3 anchovies from tin

Olive oil

Salt, pepper

Oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, thyme

1 cup red wine

Large can crushed tomatoes

Method:

Wash chicken pieces and sprinkle with salt, pepper and dried oregano

Heat olive oil (a good amount) in large saucepan. When hot, add chicken pieces and brown until a nice golden color.

Take browned chicken pieces from pan and set aside. Add all veggies and brown in drippings until wilted.

Push veggies to the side and put anchovies in the middle of the pan. Splash a little olive oil on top and stir until dissolved. Stir mixture into veggies.

Stir in black olives and red wine.....cook a few more minutes.

Add spices, tomatoes and put chicken back in pan....pushing down to immerse in sauce.

Partially cover pan and simmer low for several hours. Your house will smell wonderful!

Bon Appetit!!!