Rob

I found this recipe over at smittenkitchen who feature a great rant about how annoying the weather is in March- looks warm but is oh so cold and temperature is all over the place. Just get warm and stay warm!

In any case, this dish is labeled as a "transitional dish" for the "still cold but getting warmer" weeks. Enjoy!

Chicken With Almonds and Green Olives
New York Times, 3/27/05

6 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup blanched almonds (preferably Marcona)
1/2 cup country bread, torn into small pieces
4 cloves garlic, chopped
Small pinch saffron
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
4 chicken thighs and 4 chicken drumsticks Sea salt
Flour, for dusting
1 dried red chili
1 Spanish onion, sliced
1/2 cup white wine
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup pitted green olives.

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large braising pan. Add the almonds, bread and garlic. Cook over medium heat so the garlic softens and the bread toasts but nothing burns. Scrape into a food processor and let cool for 5 minutes. Add the saffron and parsley and pulse to a coarse paste.

2. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Season the chicken with salt and dust with flour. Add 2 tablespoons oil to the braiser and place over medium-high heat. Add chicken and brown all sides, then remove to a plate. Wipe out the pan. Add remaining oil, the chili and onions and cook until softened. Discard the chili. Nestle chicken in the pan, pour in the wine and reduce by half.

3. Add the almond mixture and the broth, bring to a simmer, cover the pan and braise in the oven until the chicken is almost tender, about 40 minutes. Stir in the olives and cook until the chicken is very tender, 10 minutes more. Serve from the pan. Serves 4.