Stewfato

Have you ever heard of Stewfato? It means stewed chicken and it's yummy.  Of course anything I put on mashed potatoes I will love.  This recipe is adapted from the food channel and they put their Stewfato on polenta but that's not for me, mashed potatoes all the way but if your a polenta person go ahead and go for it. I'm sure it's just as delicious. 

Ingredients:

8 chicken thighs or more if you have a large enough pan. There will be plenty of sauce.

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

4 carrots, peeled and sliced thin

2 cloves garlic, chopped. (If you have a Trader Joe's near you they have frozen minced garlic cubes, so handy) One cube equals one clove.

1 pound sliced button mushrooms

2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley, plus more for garnish

1/2 (6 ounce) can tomato paste 

1/2 cup white wine, I use Chardonnay

large pinch cinnamon, yes cinnamon, trust me here

2 cups chicken stock or broth

freshly grated parmesan

mashed potatoes or polenta

Directions:
Salt and pepper chicken. Heat a deep fry pan (4 inch at least) and add olive oil.  Brown the chicken thighs and remove them to a plate.  Add onions, carrots, garlic and salt and pepper and saute but don't brown for 5 minutes.

Add mushrooms, parsley and saute 2 minutes.  Add the chicken back to the pan with tomato paste, wine and give everything a dusting of cinnamon. Mix it all well and add chicken broth, stir well. Bring to a boil then turn down and simmer on low for 1/2 hour, stirring occasionally. Continue to cook until sauce gets a little thicker, approximately 15 minutes more.

Serve over mashed potatoes and garnish with freshly grated parmesan and parsley.

Makes 4 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes