Cacciatore means something like hunter’s stew and I believe in Italy this was made with whatever they brought in. Now, though, it is most often made with chicken. In the recipe I use chicken thighs, because that is what my family prefers, but this can easily be made with chicken breasts, or just a cut up chicken. I would suggest you cook it with the bone in and skin intact, as it makes it taste better, but if you want to save the fat, it is up to you. Just know that it won’t taste as rich.  Also, this versatile. I serve it over egg noodles, but it could be served over other kinds of pasta or rice. I would stick to the veggies pretty close. I hate green peppers on anything, but they don’t bother me in this.

The Ingredients

• Olive Oil, approx 2 tbs
• 3-4 pounds bone in chicken
• 1 lg onion(I prefer to cook with sweet onions)-chopped
• 1-2 stalks of Celery-chopped
• 1 Bell Pepper-chopped
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes(I prefer to use one with basil in it already)
• garlic
• 1 can of tomato paste
• 1 lb mushrooms sliced
• salt
• pepper
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp basil if you didn’t have it in the crushed tomatoes
• egg noodles

Heat oil over med heat in a non stick dutch oven; add chicken and saute until lightly browned. Remove to a warm dish(bwhahaha, which means in my house, just put it on a plate). Saute the oninon, garlic, celery, mushrooms and bell pepper until limp, adding a dash of salt when you first put them in the pan (this brings out the sugars in the veggies and makes them more savory). Add crushed tomatoes and paste, then salt and pepper to taste, sugar and dried basil. Add chicken, cover, and simmer for an hour.

After an hour, remove chicken and debone. Shred or cut into bite size pieces; return to the sauce. Serve over noodles. You can also leave the chicken intact, but I have found it easier to serve this way with the kids.

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Author Jo Leigh lost her husband this year to cancer. Theirs was a story of reunited lovers worthy of a romance novel. The loss of her husband hit her hard, both emotionally and financially. (authors are self-employed, so often have no medical insurance.)

In an effort to raise money to help her pay off those medical debts, the romance community has once again banded together to support one of their own and an auction is being held. This is a wonderful way to purchase gifts for yourself or a loved one.

Check out all the wonderful items here:
http://www.forjoleigh.com

I’ve donated:

• two Marked series coffee mugs, a Tor Books keychain that lights up when squeezed, an autographed ARC of EVE OF DARKNESS (April 28, 2009), and some surprises
• a tote bag with an autographed coverflat and ARC of IN THE FLESH.

Please spread the word about the auction to any loops, forums, etc. that you might be on.

Hugs,
Sylvia

Okay, today has been, in a word, SUCKY. I came to the blog to clean up all the spam and accidently killed some comments. YOU are not spammed, lol. I apopogize for the mistake. I have left you some loveliness for the mistake:)

 If I had the money, I would definitely travel nonstop all summer with the kids.

UPDATE:
It occured to me that some of you might have seen this the first time around.

Also, look what I got in the mail today:)

Keep an eye here because we will soon have another drawing. I am preparing a Medieval proposal for my agent and then will be hitting A Little Harmless Obsession. I am back in the swing of work and so I should be working crazy from now until whenever:)

Also, don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for my January 4th celebration right here. 40 books for 40 years, woo hoo!

Have a great weekend, I will be buried in my office working.

Oh, and I will be doing that Forty Books in one day constest here so keep an eye out for the details in the coming weeks and in my upcoming newsletter on Dec 1.

FORTY BOOKS IN ONE DAY.

Yep, you read that right. FORTY books in one day. It will be a combo of digital and print. I am not sure where I will have it yet, either here or on the Wicked loop, trying to sort out the details right now. But, be sure to check back here and the info will be in my December Newsletter which will be resuming publication on Dec 1.

Good Luck. Off to write:)

We will be running a contest in the near future with lots of goodies on the loop so why not come on over and join in the fun!