Carmela Soprano's Pollo Cacciatore al Forno - Baked Chicken Caccitore (for 4 or 50)

The desserts I posted this week - Torta Caprese, Pear and Grappa Pound Cake and Tortoni are great, both for special and regular meals.

But they aren't really a meal in themselves.

Time to find a main course.

Charmaine Bucco, Artie's better half, has a chapter in Artie's The Sopranos Family Cookbook that has recipes which are perfect for big family meals.

Her recipe for Baked Chicken Caccitore - Pollo Cacciatore al Forno - is in her chapter Cooking for the Whole Famiglia.

And it is perfect as part of una bella mangiata.

Hint:

You'll need enough large roasting pans to hold the chicken in a single layer.

Lightly oil each pan that you'll need.

                        Pollo Cacciatore al Forno

Serves 4                                                                     Serves 50 

Preheat oven to 450º

Rinse and pat dry

one 3-pound chicken, cut into 8 pieces                          13 chickens

Arrange the pieces skin side down in the pan(s).

Sprinkle with

Salt and pepper

Bake the chicken for 30 minutes.

Turn the pieces and sprinkle with

Salt and pepper to taste

Bake the chicken for 20 minutes, until lightly browned.

WHILE THE CHICKEN IS COOKING:

In a large skillet(s), heat over medium heat

2 Tablespoons Olive oil                                                          About 1 Cup

Add in a shallow layer

2 green bell peppers, seeded, cut into narrow strips          26 peppers

1 large onion, thinly sliced                                                         13 onions

8 ounces mushrooms, trimmed and quartered                    6 pounds mushrooms

Cook, stirring frequently, about 15 minutes.

Stir in

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped                                              12 garlic cloves

Cook for 2 minutes.

Add

2 Cups canned Italian peeled tomatoes,                         6  28-ounce cans tomatoes

     drained and chopped

1 teaspoon dried oregano                                                   1/4 Cup dried oregano

Salt and pepper to taste

Bring to a simmer and cook 30 minutes.

Spoon off some of the fat from the chicken.

Pour the sauce and vegetables over the chicken.

Bake the chicken for 20 minutes.

Serve hot.

Would I make Pollo Cacciatore al Forno again?

Sure.  The recipe for four gives us leftovers for a second meal.

And the crowd pleaser recipe is handy for family get togethers.

Charmaine's Caesar Salad is good for a crowd, too.

Planning for a wedding-sized crowd?

Add Charmaine's Roasted Sausages, Peppers, Potatoes and Onions.

Don't forget a few loaves of crusty Italian bread!

One recipe down.  Thirteen more to go.