Jan D'Atri

Jan D'Atri > Salt and Pepper

Salt and Pepper

GREEK STEW (Manéstra)

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What a shame that it only gets attention during Greek festivals! This stew called Manéstra should be enjoyed all year long! Manéstra was entirely new to me. There’s only one word to describe this hearty meal–“Opa!” It’s that lovely Greek word meaning to celebrate with exuberance, but the ingredients and flavors in Manéstra are pure soul-food/comfort food in any nationality. It starts with braised and slow-cooked short ribs that create a fantastic red sauce where you’ll eventually let Orzo pasta soak up all the goodness in the pot! It’s absolutely mouthwatering. For this delectable discovery, I thank popular Valley musicians and recording artists Thano and Demitri Sahnas, known in Arizona as The Sahnas Brothers and Turning Point. Their Mom Kathy Sahnas had a hidden treasure that had been passed down from generation to generation that is so simple and welcoming, I couldn’t wait to dish it up and then get it into your hands! Enjoy the great flavor of this Sahnas family favorite.

Watch my How To Video for Greek Stew here!

Momma’s Chicken Cacciatore

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How about “Bliss in a Skillet” for Mother’s Day? That’s what my Momma’s Chicken Cacciatore recipe should be named. As a little Italian girl growing up, I just thought that it was one of those dishes that everyone ate at least once a week– just like we did–with polenta or pasta. I also assumed that all Chicken Cacciatore pretty much tasted the same. But many years later, having tasted Chicken Cacciatore in numerous restaurants, I’m going to finally go on the record and say that Momma’s is the best. You’re going to get to try it for yourself and see if you agree. Momma’s Cacciatore is simple, inexpensive, uses only one pan and the flavors are absolutely divine. It’s about as close to a fool-proof dish as you can get with the recipe I’m sharing with you today. Momma’s Chicken Cacciatore was one of the first recipes we included in our first cookbook, Momma & Me & You, and through the years we’ve tweaked it just a bit to make it even better! Here’s what Momma wrote in our cookbook:

“Almost every Italian restaurant has chicken cacciatore on the menu, and there are as many versions of the dish as there are places that serve it. Although it’s a Southern Italian specialty, it has been adopted as a treasure throughout Italy. When I introduced cacciatore on my restaurant menu back in 1957, our customer’s fell in love with the very first delicate bite! It became one of our most popular signature dishes for the celebrity crowd and locals alike.”

I find that good quality, fresh chicken enhances the taste—and that chicken thighs and legs seem to be the most flavorful. (Flavor-filled bones make all the difference!) Pick up a nice bottle of wine, some good sour dough bread and enjoy one of my Momma’s mainstay Italian meals!

Watch my how to video here!