Greece - Chicken Stew With Cauliflower and Olives

By Addylicious

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large red onion, chopped
• 2 to 4 garlic cloves (to taste), minced
• 6 to 8 chicken legs and/or thighs, with or without skin
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 28-ounce can FIRE-ROASTED chopped tomatoes, with juice
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, or 1 teaspoon fresh oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, or 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1 small or 1/2 large cauliflower, cored, broken into florets, and sliced about 1/2 inch thick
• 12 kalamata olives (about 45 grams), rinsed, pitted and cut in half (optional)
• 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1 to 2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (optional)

Details

Adapted from cooking.nytimes.com

Preparation

Step 1

Prep
- Season and marinate chicken with salt, pepper, oregano, parsley for at least 4 hours

Set oven to 450 degrees

Step 1

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat in a large, deep, heavy lidded skillet or casserole and brown the chicken, in batches if necessary, about 5 minutes on each side. Remove the pieces to a plate or bowl as they’re browned. Pour off the fat from the pan.

Add the vinegar to the pan and scrape up all the bits from the bottom of the pan.

Step 2
Add the remaining tablespoon of the olive oil to the pan, and turn the heat down to medium.

Add the onion and a generous pinch of salt and cook, stirring often and scraping the bottom of the pan, until it begins to soften, about 5 minutes.

Turn the heat to low, cover and let the onion cook for 10 minutes, stirring from time to time, until it is lightly browned and very soft.

Step 3
Add the garlic and stir together for a minute or two more, until the garlic is fragrant,
-then add the tomatoes and their juice,
-the cinnamon,
-oregano,
-thyme
- pepper flakes
-and salt and pepper to taste.
Bring to a simmer and simmer 10 minutes, stirring from time to time, until the mixture is reduced slightly and fragrant.

Step 4
Return the chicken pieces to the pot, along with any juices that have accumulated in the bowl.
If necessary, add chicken stock to barely cover the chicken.

Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, roast the cauliflower at 450 degree oven

Step 5
Add the cauliflower and kalamata olives and simmer for another 20 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender and the chicken is just about falling off the bone.
-Stir in the parsley, taste and adjust seasonings.

Serve with grains, with the feta sprinkled on top if desired.

Tip
Advance preparation: The stew keeps for 3 or 4 days in the refrigerator and freezes well. With leftovers, make a delicious rice casserole by spreading cooked rice over the bottom of a baking dish and topping with the chicken and sauce. Heat through for 20 minutes at 325 degrees.


Notes