Poulet Chasseur

Ingredients

• 1 chicken
• about 3 pounds
• 1/2 pound fresh shiitake or domestic mushrooms
• 6 shallots
• 1/2 cup flour
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 teaspoons mushroom or regular soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
• 1 cup dry vermouth
• 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 bay leaf

Instructions

1. Have the butcher cut the chicken into eight serving pieces.
2. Wipe the mushrooms clean and thinly slice the caps, discarding any tough stems.
3. Peel the shallots and slice them thinly.
4. Set aside.
5. Combine the flour and salt and pepper to taste in a shallow dish and set aside.
6. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
7. Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or large flameproof casserole over medium-high flame.
8. Dredge half of the chicken pieces in the seasoned flour, shaking off the excess.
9. Carefully place the pieces in hot oil in the pot.
10. Cook until lightly browned on all sides.
11. Transfer to a platter lined with paper towels and repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.
12. When all the chicken has been browned, add the shallots and shiitakes to the pan and sprinkle with thyme, marjoram and tarragon.
13. Saute over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the vegetables are wilted, about two to three minutes.
14. Add the vermouth and cook until reduced by about half.
15. Return the chicken parts to the pan.
16. Stir in chicken stock, tomato paste, tomato puree and bay leaf.
17. Season with coarsely ground pepper and bring to a boil.
18. Transfer the Dutch oven to the oven and cook for 25 to 30 minutes, until the chicken is done.