I was wondering out loud yesterday how many people's Monday night dinner is the recipe that runs in the Sunday New York Times magazine. I was inspired to make this recipe from the Times for yesterday's dinner. It was one of the few things I've made in my life that I was more effusive about than my dining companion(s). I was absolutely astounded with it.Country Captain (from The New York Times magazine)
1⁄4 cup flour
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons butter
3 pounds (about 8) chicken thighs
4 slices bacon
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 medium green pepper, seeded and diced
2 ribs celery, diced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons curry powder
3 tablespoons currants
1 28-ounce can chopped tomatoes and their juices
3 tablespoons slivered almonds, toasted
Cooked white rice.
1. Preheat the oven to 325 degr
ees.
2. Combine the flour, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper and the thyme in a bowl. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat until it foams. Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off excess, and fry, in batches if needed, until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and drain off all but 1 tablespoon of the fat in the skillet.
3. Return the skillet to medium heat, add the bacon and fry until crispy. Transfer to a plate. Once cool, crumble and set aside.
4. Add the onion, pepper, celery, garlic, curry powder and 1 tablespoon of the currants to the skillet and sauté over medium-high heat until soft and fragrant, about 7 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and their juices, bring to a boil and simmer over medium-low heat for 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
5. Spread 1 cup of the tomato sauce in the bottom of an ovenproof casserole large enough to hold the chicken snugly in one layer. Arrange the chicken on top. Pour the remaining sauce over and around the chicken. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and cook for 15 minutes more.
6. Top with the crumbled bacon, remaining currants and slivered almonds. Serve with cooked rice and any condiments you wish. Serves 4.
