We’ll no doubt have peppers until frost, so here’s one more idea for what to do with them. Mix in a jalapeno or two if your household likes the heat. Did I mention that about 3 weeks ago I made cantaloupe-jalapeno preserves? I had seen a recipe for strawberry-jalapeno jam and I had this bowl of jalapenos just waiting for a use ….. turned out pretty well and I think we’ll be enjoying it on pork chops and tenderloin … chicken breasts …. grilled shrimp …. I can think of lots of uses.
Anyway, this chicken and pepper recipe came from Bertha’s Kitchen, a soul food restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina. It’s a reminder that a slow braise is a wonderful, fragrant thing.
Ingredients:
8 whole chicken legs Kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and paprika, to taste 1/4 cup canola oil 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped 2 large bell peppers, stemmed, seeded, and cut into 1/2″-thick strips 2 large onions, halved lengthwise and cut crosswise into 1/2″-thick slices 1/4 cup tomato paste 1 cup chicken stock
Preparation:
Heat oven to 400°. Season chicken liberally with salt, pepper, and paprika. Heat oil in an 8-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add chicken, skin side down, and cook until skin is golden brown, about 6 minutes. Transfer chicken to a large roasting pan, skin side up, and set aside. Return pan to heat and add garlic, peppers, and onions; cook, stirring, until vegetables begin to soften, about 8 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, cook for 1 minute, and then add chicken stock; scrape browned bits off bottom of pan and mix. Pour vegetables and stock around chicken, and bake until chicken is browned and cooked through, about 1 hour.