Blue Grouse Cacciatore Recipes

CHICKEN CACCIATORE

Steps:

• Sprinkle the chicken pieces with 1 teaspoon of each salt and pepper. Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour to coat lightly.
• In a large heavy saute pan, heat the oil over a medium-high flame. Add the chicken pieces to the pan and saute just until brown, about 5 minutes per side. If all the chicken does not fit in the pan, saute it in 2 batches. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside. Add the bell pepper, onion and garlic to the same pan and saute over medium heat until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the wine and simmer until reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juice, broth, capers and oregano. Return the chicken pieces to the pan and turn them to coat in the sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer. Continue simmering over medium-low heat until the chicken is just cooked through, about 30 minutes for the breast pieces, and 20 minutes for the thighs.
• Using tongs, transfer the chicken to a platter. If necessary, boil the sauce until it thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Spoon off any excess fat from atop the sauce. Spoon the sauce over the chicken, then sprinkle with the basil and serve.

CHICKEN CACCIATORE

Steps:

• Dust chicken with flour. Season with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, brown chicken on all sides in oil and butter over medium-high heat. Remove chicken to platter. , In the same skillet, cook and stir the onion, celery, pepper and mushrooms for 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, wine, herbs, garlic and sugar. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes., Return chicken to skillet. Cover and simmer for 45-60 minutes or until chicken is tender. Serve over pasta and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Freeze option: Cool chicken mixture. Freeze in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through slowly in a covered skillet until a thermometer inserted in chicken reads 165°, stirring occasionally.

MY ITALIAN GRANDFATHER'S CHICKEN CACCIATORE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken and cook until well browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove to a plate.
• Reduce heat to medium and add bell pepper, onion, celery, carrot, and garlic. Sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and stir to blend into the vegetables.
• Add crushed tomatoes, wine, allspice, bay leaf, seasoning sauce, salt, and pepper. Return chicken to the pan and toss to coat all pieces.
• Cover the Dutch oven and place in the preheated oven. Braise until chicken is falling off the bone and the juices run clear, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

NORTHERN ITALIAN-STYLE CHICKEN CACCIATORE

Steps:

• Rinse chicken pieces and pat dry.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and brown, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Remove chicken to a plate.
• Add mushrooms, onion, and celery to the pan drippings and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 more minutes.
• Return chicken to the skillet. Add white wine and cook until it has almost completely evaporated, 2 to 3 minutes. Add diced tomatoes, chicken broth, parsley, oregano, pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer until chicken is no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 30 minutes.

BLUE GROUSE CACCIATORE

Steps:

• Saute pressed garlic in olive oil 2-3 minutes until brown. Lightly brown birds in olive oil. While birds are frying, mix tomato paste and tomato sauce together in bowl along with 1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning. When birds are lightly browned, transfer them to large casserole dish or Dutch oven. Pour mixture of tomato sauce and tomato paste over them. Then add stewed tomatoes. Place vegetables over the top and sprinkle additional Italian seasoning over the top. Bake at 350° - 375°F for 1 hour. Serve over rice.A Back Country Guide to Outdoor Cooking Spiced with Tall Tales - Fowl & Fish