Monday, February 4, 2013

Italian Dinner Around the World

We were lucky, the weather kind of behaved itself and although it was snowing in the evening, it wasn’t really very much and certainly not enough to discourage driving, so our guests arrived OK. I still got extra cannoli though, they only ate one apiece. We started with an antipasto:Antipasto

This contained marinated mushrooms, artichoke hearts and peppers, olives, grape tomatoes and smoked oysters. Practically everything disappeared except maybe a couple of tomatoes. Then we had Pollo alla CacciatoraPollo Cacciatore

accompanied by Italian green beans and Polenta, I actually made way too much Polenta so I cut some of it into triangles and baked it covered in Parmesan.

Beans ala Romana

Polenta

 

 

 

 

finally the Cannoli which you have seen pictures of. Not much of anything was left. The meal was voted delicious by everyone and I was knackered. Matt didn’t do anything this time and that was a mistake on my part.

I regret I have had little or no opportunity to read other blogs in the last day or two. I will be good and catch up.

This is the recipe I used for the chicken, it was taken from a cookbook I have had a looooong time and was written at a period when the English hardly used garlic at all, so with some of the directions, you should perhaps use things “to taste”.

Pollo alla Cacciatora

Braised Chicken with Black Olive and Anchovy Sauce

A 2 1/2 to 3 lb. chicken, cut up (think I will use chicken breasts) (I actually used chicken breasts)

salt

pepper

1 1/2 Tbs olive oil

1 oz. finely chopped onions

1 tsp finely chopped garlic

6 tbs dry white wine

t tsp wine vinegar, preferably white

6 tbs chicken stock

1/2 tsp dried oregano, crumbled

1 bay leaf

1 tbs slivered back olives

3 flat anchovy fillets, rinsed, dried and chopped

Wash the chicken and pat dry. Season with salt and a little pepper.

Heat the oil in a large, heavy pan. Fry the chicken a few pieces at a time starting them skin side down and turning them when the skin side is browned. Transfer the browned pieces to a plate. Now pour off almost all the fat from the pan leaving just a thin film on the bottom. Add the onions and garlic and cook them over a moderate heat, stirring constantly, for 8-10 minutes, until they are lightly coloured. Add the wine and vinegar and boil briskly until the liquid is reduced to about 3 tbs. Then pour in the chicken stock and boil for 1-2 mins. stirring constantly and scraping in any browned bits that cling to the pan. Return the browned chicken to the pan, add the oregano and bay leaf and bring to the boil. Cover the pan, reduce the heat and simmer, basting occasionally. In about 20 mins. the chicken should be done, juices should run clear when a thigh is pieced with the tip of a sharp knife.

To serve, arrange the pieces of chicken on a heated dish. Discard the bayleaf and boil the stock left in the pan until it thickens slightly and has the intensity of flavour desired.Stir in the olives and anchovies and cook for a minute or so longer. Pour the sauce over the chicken and serve.

Time Life International.

Have a great day

Jo_thumb[2]

8 comments:

  1. The food looks scrumptious! Italian is my favorite.

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    1. Thanks Diane, some you would be able to eat, but not all by any means.

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  2. Love the Italian version of Hunter's chicken!

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    1. Silly me, I hadn't even registered that's what it meant. We occasionally have the French version and there is no similarity whatsoever.

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  3. Wow, that looks amazing. We had a Super Bowl party and ordered chicken wings. Don't know if they're a popular guilty pleasure in Canada...but they sure are in our family :-) However, I must try your recipe. Looks scrumptious, and we all love Italian food, even Youngest Teen who is impossible to please with food :-)
    Thanks for being such a good supporter of our challenge and thanks for leaving a link! I can visit twice as many people if there's a link. We will be harping on that...and the word verification.


    Tina @ Life is Good
    Co-host, April 2013 A-Z Challenge
    @TinaLifeisGood, #atozchallenge

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    1. I like suicide chicken wings, but very rarely have them, have you ever checked the calorie could on those things? This chicken was quite reasonable calorie wise. I prefer to save my calories for chocolate or wine rather than chicken wings.

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  4. Glad you still got your cannoli!
    The chicken dish sounds great.

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    1. Sure did Alex, they were great. The chicken was delicious too. Pop over for dinner some time.

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