4 Chicken pieces, skinned

Salt and freshly ground -pepper 3 tb Olive oil

1 tb Butter

1 sm Onion, chopped

3 Garlic cloves, crushed

1/2 c Dry white wine

1 lb Ripe tomatoes, peeled,

-seeded and chopped 1 tb Tomato paste

1 Cinnamon stick

4 Cloves

6 Allspice berries

1 c Water

6 oz Artichoke hearts, drained

-(optional) 1 tb To 2 tb chopped fresh

-parsley or cilantro Servings: 4 Sprinkle the chicken liberally with salt and pepper. Heat the oil with the butter in a large casserole, add the chicken and fry over moderate heat for about 5 minutes until browned on all sides. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add the onion and garlic to the pan and fry gently for about 5 minutes until soft. Return the chicken to the pan, pour in the wine, then add the tomatoes and tomato paste and mix well. Let the mixture bubble for a few minutes. Meanwhile, pound the spices with a pestle in a mortar. Add to the casserole with the water and stir well to mix. Cover the pan and simmer for about 45 - 60 minutes until the chicken is tender. Add the artichokes (if using) about 10 minutes, before the end of cooking time, to heat through. Taste and adjust seasoning, stir in the parsley or cilantro and serve immediately. Posted by Linda Davis