It is 8:45 in the morning and I have already sauteed onions and grated garlic. Also, I have had a VERY large victory, for me. I took the skin off chicken thighs. That's correct, skin = off. Anyone who knows me knows that I DO NOT touch raw meat. I use a fork and knife if I'm slicing, dicing, spicing or removing from the package. I use tongs when transferring from chopping board to cooking surface. I whine piteously until my charming husband reaches in to remove "the treat bag" from the turkey and dispose of it. Looking at the chicken thighs I had purchased for my attempt at Chicken Cacciatore at the time blissfully unaware that the recipe called for no skin, I realized tongs would not help me here. Having embarked on this new vision for my accent into le bon vivant, I ponied up, and plunged my fingers into the mess of unfortunate poultry. It was sort of like peeling wallpaper. Wallpaper that somebody had vomited on. Thankfully when cooking for two, you don't need a lot of meat. Four pieces later I had ascended to my next zen level. Success! The chicken is skinned, hands are washed, and cacciatore is simmering away in the crock pot.
I used this recipe adding only a little bit of burgundy cooking wine and some grated garlic - two little changes is a record in my house! Tonight I will update this post with results and a picture. I can't wait to walk in the door and smell the simmering spices (or pleasantly greet the firemen as they clear out my charred house). I can go to work knowing that I only need to worry about the complimentary pasta when I get home.
Crap. Dessert.
I promised something espresso related. Time to go Google some delicacy, preferably involving copious amounts of whipped cream.
**EDIT**
Cacciatore turned out well, husband is devouring as we speak. I think I used too much thyme, and the sauce didn't thicken enough for my liking, but a little cornstarch and water and we're back in business. It was a good first attempt. Salad is romaine, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and some lemon juice (I may have cheated and added a tiny bit of eating right dressing - one table spoon max). Chocolate espresso cake is in the oven. If it turns out, I will link to the recipe.
Congrats on conquering the "raw meat issue"! Never think of the CrockPot as a copout, women the world over have been feeding their families via the crock for centuries! I have cookbooks dedicated to just this machine alone, if u ever want one just let me know!
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