Stewed

I don't cook much meat or poultry, but when my market had chicken thighs for 99 cents a pound, I grabbed a package and decided to make my mom's stewed chicken. It's tomato-based and it's easy. And delicious. And like most stews, it gets tastier every day it sits in the fridge. Oh- and before I forget, this dish is healthy to the max. Did you know that... 1 red pepper has 3 times the amount of vitamin C as an orange? I use 3 peppers. And mushrooms and tomatoes help lower your cholesterol? Plus, something I just learned, mushrooms strengthen your bones. That all sounds impressive- but the best thing is, this stew tastes great.

Elaine's Stewed Chicken

8 bone in chicken thighs, skin removed

2 tsp canola oil

1 1/2 cups onion diced

2 tsp garlic diced

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (I use more, but if you're serving children, stick with 1/4 tsp)

2 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes

1 8 oz can tomato sauce

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

8 oz sliced button or baby bela mushrooms

3 peppers sliced (I used 1 red, 1 green and 1 yellow)

In large pot over medium-low heat add canoa oil, then onions. Cook onions on a low enough heat to soften and not brown, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Then add salt, pepper, Old Bay, and cayenne. Cook a minute or two more, until spices have combined with the onions and garlic. Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano and crushed red pepper. Increase heat to reach a high simmer. Add chicken. I carefully tuck the thighs in, so they are completely covered with liquid. Cover pot and reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook 40 minutes. Add mushrooms and peppers. Cover and cook 15 minutes more. It's done, ready to eat. Or cool and refrigerate for another time.

After cooking, I remove the meat from the bones, because it's just about falling off them anyway. Plus I think it makes a nice presentation. Serving suggestions? How about brown rice (that's what I did), but other options I like include egg noodles, pasta, mashed potatoes, polenta. You get the picture- anything that will soak up the flavorful sauce. And if the spirit moves you, add a sprinkle of parmesan on top.