Chicken Cacciatore

2# boneless skinless chicken

1 lg. purple onion

1 yellow sweet pepper

1 orange sweet pepper

1lg. clove elephant garlic

4 lg. ribs of celery

8oz. fresh mushrooms

1c± dry white wine

28oz. crushed tomatoes

12oz. seasoned pasta sauce

14.5oz. can petite diced tomatoes

2t sugar

2t Rosemary Seasoning*

1-2T Italian seasoning

Pasta:  Spaghetti, Linguini or Fettuccine

Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces, or a little larger.  Pat the chicken dry and combine with a little finely chopped onion, and a couple tablespoons of butter or olive oil, in a heavy 5qt. pot.  Sauté 15 minutes or so then add the rest of the rough chopped or sliced vegetables.  Stir and continue to sauté another 15 minutes.  Add the wine about half way though, continue to stir and simmer.  Stir in the tomatoes and sauce and simmer and additional 30-60 minutes, on low heat, covered, stirring occasionally.  Toward the end of the cooking time, try the sauce and see what additions or seasonings might be needed.

While this is simmering, cook the pasta to the al dente stage.  Drain and put into baking dishes.  Pour on a cup or two of the sauce to coat the pasta, and keep it from sticking together.  Cover with the rest of the chicken, vegetables and sauce.  Ideally, to fully develop the flavors, you would chill this overnight and reheat it before serving the next day, but it can be served now.

I cooked for friends yesterday.  It was supposed to just be enough for 4, but. . .even though I've lived alone on and off for the past 21 years, I've never mastered the Art Of Cooking Small! 😉 

Fortunately, most people I know are hungry, and I'm also a Big Fan of leftovers!  This recipe made a 9"x13" and a 9"x9" pan.  Probably enough for 8-10 people.  Have fun with this!  Maybe you too know some hungry people?  Invite them for dinner! 😊 It's a nice dinner just as is, but if you're a bread person, some toasty ciabatta with garlic butter would be nice.  Or if, like me, you can never get enough vegetables, try it with my very favorite - My 5-Ingredient Salad . . . Lin