Wild hen in tomato sauce from the Ionian islands

With Chicken, Vegetables,

Wild hen in tomato sauce from the Ionian islands

Serves6 servings
Cooks In10' preparation | 1 hour & 30
DifficultyEasy

Ingredients

  • WILD HEN IN TOMATO SAUCE
  • 1 free-range hen, cut into pieces
  • 1 tbsp. butter
  • 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 pinch of cinnamon
  • 1 pinch of ground cloves
  • 1 pinch of ground allspice
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 clove of garlic, chopped
  • 1 tbsp. tomato paste
  • ½ cup cognac
  • 1 can of whole peeled tomatoes (14 oz)
  • 1 pinch of sugar
  • Salt, freshly ground pepper
  • Kefalotiri cheese to serve
  • VEGETABLE MASH
  • 6 large potatoes
  • 2 large carrots
  • 1 onion
  • 1 zucchini
  • 1 celery stalk
  • 1 cup fresh milk
  • 1 tbsp. butter
  • 1 pinch of ground nutmeg
  • Salt, freshly ground pepper

Method

WILD HEN IN TOMATO SAUCE

  1. Pat dry the meat with absorbent kitchen paper and season to taste.
  2. Melt the butter and heat the olive oil in a wide and shallow cooking pot with a thick base (Rondeau), and brown the hen on all sides for about 6-7 minutes.
  3. Sprinkle with the herbs so that they release their aromas.
  4. Add the onion with the garlic and sauté for a few more minutes, until the onion becomes transparent.
  5. Put the tomato paste and rub the base of the pot with a wooden spoon.
  6. Finish with the cognac.
  7. As you wait for the alcohol to evaporate over a high heat, keep rubbing the bottom of the pot with the spoon.
  8. Pulse the tomatoes in the food processor and add to the pot.
  9. Sprinkle with sugar and pour enough water to cover the ingredients halfway.
  10. Cover the pot and simmer for 1 hour and 30 minutes until the meat is tender and the sauce thickens.
  11. Serve with Bucatini (thick tubed spaghetti) and lots of grated cheese.

TIP

  • As a lighter option, serve with the vegetable mash that follows.

VEGETABLE MASH

  1. Peel the vegetables and chop into thick chunks.
  2. Boil for about 20-25 minutes, until tender.
  3. Remove with a slotted spoon and mash while still hot.
  4. Melt the butter in a pot for 2 minutes, then mix in the nutmeg and milk.
  5. Finally, add the mashed vegetables and combine.
  6. Season to taste.
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Tip