Chicken and Peanut Stew

							Chicken and Peanut Stew

6 to 8 servings

(I've added some observations to cut down on work, ingredients, and dishes.)

6 bone-in chicken breast halves, skinless (I use any pieces, and I leave the skin on)
2 t. oil (olive oil adds flavor)
½ c. finely chopped shallots (I use onions, and no one know the difference)
2 stalks celery, coarsely chopped
1 medium carrot, peeled and coarsely chopped (why bother peeling?)
2 to 4 medium cloves garlic, peeled and minced (more is better)
1 large jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced (optional if kids are sensitive to heat)
2 T. curry powder, mixed with 1 T. flour
½ c. beer
2 bay leaves
3 large tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped, or 1 14½ oz. can tomatoes, undrained (canned, of course)
2 T. chopped parsley (can be left out if necessary)
1 c. chicken broth
¼ cup peanut butter, plain or chunky (Bulmers always eat chunky)
½ t. salt
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 T. finely chopped cilantro (I always leave this out)
Cooked white rice (and plenty of it)

1.   Brown the chicken on both sides in 2 batches. Remove from pan and set aside. (Use the large Dutch
     oven mentioned in step 2 and you'll only need to use one pot.)
2.   In a large Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add shallots, celery, carrot, garlic, and jalapeño.
     Sauté 5 minutes; add about 1 T. water if vegetables get too dry.
3.   Sprinkle curry-flour mixture over the vegetables; cook 1 minute. Add beer, bay leaves, tomatoes, and
     parsley, and cook 10 minutes. Add the chicken, and spoon liquid over. Cover the pot and simmer 20
     minutes.
4.   Heat the chicken broth in a small saucepan (or in the microwave). Put the peanut butter in a bowl and
     whisk in the hot broth (or just add it to the microwave-proof container of broth and whisk away). Add
     to the chicken with the salt and pepper. Cover again, and simmer 15 minutes.
5.   Remove chicken from the pot, cool slightly, cut meat from bones, and put back into pan to heat through
     (who needs this step? Just give everybody some rice, one or two pieces of chicken, and lots of sauce).
     If you decide to use the cilantro, stir it into the sauce before serving.