Sunday, June 19, 2011

Crispy and Sticky Chicken Thighs with Squashed New Potatoes and Tomatoes

Happy Father's Day!

My Dad is a pure joy to cook for.  He has a great love and appreciation for all food and is always quick to praise and compliment the cook.  He is easily my favorite person to cook for.  Then again, he's my favorite person all around. 

While my Dad loves and appreciates all kinds of food, I think mostly he enjoys the simple things, much like the recipe I've chosen today, crispy sticky chicken with potatoes and tomatoes.  I think he is amazed, as we all are, at how you can take just a few simple ingredients and combine them to make something mouthwatering and delicious.  I know he would love this one (especially after a good dosing of hot sauce or hot pepper flakes).  Dad loves his food extra spicy!
  Crispy & Sticky Chicken Thighs with Squashed New Potatoes and Tomatoes
Adapted from Jamie Oliver on Food Network (recipe found HERE)
Serves 4-6

1-3/4 pounds new potatoes, scrubbed
12 boned chicken thighs, skin on
Olive oil 
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1-1/4 pounds cherry tomatoes
1 bunch fresh oregano, leaves picked
4-5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
good splash of red wine vinegar


Put the potatoes into a large saucepan of salted boiling water and boil until cooked.

While the potatoes are cooking, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Cut each chicken thigh into 3 strips and place in a bowl. Rub the meat all over with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, then toss.

Heat a large frying pan, big enough to hold all the chicken pieces snugly in 1 layer, and put the chicken into the pan, skin side down. If you don't have a pan that's big enough, feel free to cook the chicken in 2 batches. Toss and fry over a high heat for 10 minutes or so, until almost cooked, then remove with a slotted spoon to an ovenproof pan or dish.

Prick the tomatoes with a sharp knife. Place them in a bowl, cover with boiling water and leave for a minute or so. Drain and, when cool enough to handle, pinch off their skins. You don't have to, but by doing this they will become lovely and sweet when cooked, and their intense flavor will infuse the potatoes. By now the potatoes will be cooked. Drain them in a colander and lightly crush them by pushing down on them with your thumb.

Bash up most of the oregano leaves with a pinch of salt in a pestle and mortar, or a Flavor Shaker if you have one. Add 4 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil, a good splash of red wine vinegar and some pepper and give everything another bash. Add to the chicken with the potatoes, the tomatoes and the rest of the oregano leaves. Toss everything together carefully. Spread out in a single layer in an appropriately sized roasting pan, and bake for 40 minutes in the preheated oven until golden.

Lovely served with an arugula salad dressed with some lemon juice and extra-virgin olive oil, and a nice glass of white wine.
Notes/Results: Easy, simple, tasty,  healthy and delicious!  This is a meal the whole family would love.  We especially loved how tender and juicy the chicken was. Jamie's recipe doesn't call for onions or garlic, but I think they make a perfect addition.  I also think the squeeze of lemon at the finish really brightens up this dish nicely.  As Jamie says, this meal goes perfectly with a simple salad.
Theme: Pops is Tops!

Me, my daughter (Olivia), and my Dad @ my stepsister's wedding.  Love my Dad in that kilt!

17 comments:

  1. I've had this recipe marked for a while! It looks and sounds amazing. Your dad is one lucky dude to have been served this dish. I tried JO's sausage rolls this week. They were good taste-wise, but the pictures were terrible! Too awful to post even.

    Speaking of pictures, love yours! You are beautiful, Kim. Your dad looks so debonair. And Olivia is a cutie patootie! Cher, baby!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fabulous photo, Kim! Love your dad in the kilt. My dad was 50% Ukranian and 50% Scottish - so we know our clan (the Italian in me is from my mother). Loving the simplicity of the recipe and know how delicious it all is - because it's fresh. And yes, a little heat is good for the heart!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Does your dad maybe want to talk to MY dad about now being such a picky eater? Please?

    This chicken looks fantastic! The description of them as sticky makes me want to dive into the bowl!

    ReplyDelete
  4. oh my goodness, i LOVE that picture of you and your dad, how sweet! do you have scottish heritage in your family? i love that dress too!

    this sounds so good, comforting, hearty and healthy. what a perfect dish for father's day!

    ReplyDelete
  5. SO CUTE! I love him in that kilt, too :) Papa has good taste, for sure...that is a wonderful pot of food, enough to put a smile on any dad's face. (or mine...)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your dad looks very distinguished and charming in that kilt!
    And your potatoes looks delicious! Perfect for a Father's Day feast!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Kim, I just come from Brenda's blog. Love this chicken recipe; just startd buying chicken thighs and we love them; thanks for this recipe. Great photo you with your dad and daughter.
    Rita

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great photo!! I love men in kilts! Great recipe too.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh, this looks just delicious, what an awesome meal. Your dad looks amazing, some men can really pull a kilt of beautifully :D
    *kisses* HH

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love everything in this dish!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. That's a photo I'd frame and place where I'd see it all the time. Yoru Dad is hot, by the wya, OK OK OK!!!! I know we aren't supposed to say that about our Dad's ...geesh!

    OK, the food - what a great recipe this is. All good ingredients and beautifully displayed. Yum!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your dad is one handsome fella! Great Father's day meal, absolutely delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  13. OMG, your dad is gorgeous! Of course, so are you and your beautiful girl, but that kilt. Just got my internet back up after 4 days (withdrawal) and love seeing what you've been cooking. Looks delish!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Your Dad is a strikingly handsome man! I've never seen anyone wear a kilt better. And this is something even my somewhat-picky Dad would LOVE! You and Olivia look pretty too!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow! Your dad is a hunk, especially in the kilt!
    What a great photo that is. You're going to treasure that one!
    Lovely dinner for Father's Day too!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Such a great picture of you, your daughter and dad. ;-) This looks like such a wonderful dinner--simple flavors done right.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'd make a joke about your dad wearing a skirt but he looks like the kind of guy that could/would kick my ass six ways to Sunday ;)

    That is a pan of goodness that you have cooked up, Kim. Love one dish meals like this.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment! At the moment I am having a huge problem with spam so I've had to add comment moderation and close off comments to anonymous users. I apologize for the trouble and hope to return my comments to normal shortly.