recipes

Chicken Cacciatore

Also known as Hunter's Stew, this wonderful recipe is taken from Episode 7 of Catherine's Roman Holiday.

Serves 6

Ingredients

• 1 large chicken, segmented
• 6 tbsp plain flour, seasoned with 1 tsp salt & 1 tsp pepper
• 6 shallots, halved or quartered, depending on size
• 2 cloves garlic, sliced crossways
• 2 x 400g cans cherry tomatoes
• 500ml chicken stock
• 125ml white wine
• 2 tbsp tomato puree
• 1 tsp caster sugar to taste
• 6-8 medium basil leaves, torn
• 2 tbsp thyme, chopped
• 30 black olives, whole
• Olive oil, extra virgin
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180C / Gas 4.
2. Slice the onion and garlic.
3. Toss the chicken in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess flour. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan and brown the chicken pieces in batches over a medium heat (take care not to overload the frying pan).
4. Remove the chicken from the pan and place into a casserole dish.
5. Saute the onions in the frying pan, over a low heat until soft. Add the garlic and cook gently. Add to the chicken
6. Deglaze the frying pan with the white wine and add to the chicken.
7. Then add the tomatoes, stock, sugar, thyme and tomato puree. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat.
8. Cover and place in the oven for 25 - 30 minutes until chicken is cooked, then add the basil and olives.
9. Season with salt & pepper to taste.
10. Serve with crusty bread or rosemary roast potatoes.