Recipe - Chicken Thighs With Aromatic Spices

Stephen Ceideburg
2 One half pound Chicken thighs, skinned
One half teaspoon Coarsely ground black
peppercorns
One half teaspoon Cumin seeds
One half teaspoon Dried oregano
2 Bay leaves
Salt
6 Cloves garlic, halved
1 One half tablespoon MixedSpice Paste (recipe
follows)
1 tablespoon Allpurpose white flour
1 md Onion, thinly cut or sliced up
4 Long banana peppers, cut
into long strips
1 tablespoon Vegetable or olive oil
2 tablespoon Cider vinegar or to taste

Bring 7 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan, add chick en (and a
little more water to cover if needed). Skim off any grayish foam that rises
during the first few minutes of simmering. Add black pepper, cumin,
oregano, bay leaves, 1 tsp. salt and garlic. Partially cover and simmer
gently for 20 to 25 minutes, until the juices run clear when the thighs are
pierced with a knife (boned thighs will cook in 15 to 20 minutes). Remove
from the heat and cool the chicken in the cooking liquid, if time permits.
With a slotted spoon, remove thighs from the broth and set them on a plate.
Strain broth, skim fat and set aside 2 One half cups in the refrigerator.

Rub 1 Tbsp. Mixed Spice Paste over the side of the chicken that has been
skinned and let it stand 1 hour uncovered in the refrigerator. Lightly dust
the spice covered side of the chicken with flour, patting gently to evenly
distribute it over the surface and remove any excess.

Rinse onions, drain thoroughly and set aside with chilies. Set a large
nonstick skillet over medium heat, add oil, and when it is hot, add
chicken, spiceside down, and fry until crisp, about 4 to 5 minutes. Drain
on paper towels and keep warm in a 200 degree F. oven.

Return the pan to the heat and add onions and chilies. Cook over medium for
4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions soften. Add
vinegar, reserved broth and remaining One half Tbsp. spice paste, stirring to
dissolve the paste. Simmer for several minutes to blend the flavors. Taste
for salt and vinegar. Place 2 thighs in each of 4 bowls. Top with a portion
of the onion mixture and the broth.

234 CALORIES PER SERVING: 30 G PROTEIN, 7 G FAT, 13 G CARBO HYDRATE; 208
MG SODIUM; 77 MG CHOLESTEROL.

From Authentic Mexican: Regional Cooking from the Heart of Mexico by Rick
Bayless with Deann Groen Bayless (William Morrow & Company, 1987).

Posted by Stephen Ceideburg

From Gemini's MASSIVE MealMaster collection at www.synapse.com/~gemini