It's been a few weeks since my last post...sorry but I've been cookin'.Thanksgiving was sure fun! Always special to spend time with the family. Alas, now we are rushing onto Christmas. I have been busy baking (75 dozen biscotti) and catering parties. Although this is a time that seems so chaotic there is always complete peace at the table with the anticipation of love that comes with the sharing of the food God has given us. It is a priceless gift that I have been given to cook and bring people together in joy.
Next week I'll give you some do ahead recipes but today something more special. This is a recipe from the Marches. Chicken Ragu that might be part of a special lasagna with noodles and cream sauce, but this sauce is fantastic over pasta. You can prepare this a day ahead and reheat (no microwave!!! reheat gently in a saucepan). I like over papardalle but any pasta is really going to be good.
Chicken Ragu
3 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 Medium onion, finely chopped
6 ounces fresh crimini mushrooms, sliced
1 link sweet Italian sausage, casing removed (chicken or turkey ok)
2 ounces pancetta (bacon is ok if you don’t have pancetta)
¼ cup celery, finely chopped
1 small carrot, peeled and finely chopped
1 ½ lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into ½” cubes
1 bay leaf
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup Marsala
1 14 ½ oz can crushed tomatoes
1 cup chicken stock (canned is ok)
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 pinches of ground cloves
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium high heat. Add onion, mushrooms, sausage, pancetta, celery and carrot; cook until onion begins to color, while crumbling sausage and stirring occasionally. About 5 minutes. Add chicken, bay and garlic; cook until chicken begins to brown, stirring frequently, about 7 or 8 minutes. Add the Marsala and bring to a boil scraping up all the browned bits. Reduce heat and simmer until most of the liquid is evaporated. Stir occasionally, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes, stock, tomato paste and cloves. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 45 more minutes. Buon Appetito!
