Country Captain

1/4 cup flour

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 tsp dried thyme

2 Tbls butter

3 pounds chicken pieces (We used thighs and legs)

4 slices bacon

1 medium onion, diced

1 medium green pepper, seeded and diced

2 tsps celery, diced

1 Tbls minced garlic

2 Tbls curry powder

3 Tbls dried cranberries or currants

1 28-ounce can chopped tomatoes and their juices

3 Tbls slivered almonds, toasted

Cooked white rice

Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Combine the flour, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon pepper and the thyme in a bowl. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat until it foams. Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off excess, and fry, in batches if needed, until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and drain off all but 1 tablespoon of the fat in the skillet.

Return the skillet to medium heat, add the bacon and fry until crispy. Transfer to a plate. Once cool, crumble and set aside.

Add the onion, pepper, celery, garlic, curry powder and 1 tablespoon of the cranberries or currants to the skillet and sauté over medium-high heat until soft and fragrant, about 7 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and their juices, bring to a boil and simmer over medium-low heat for 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Spread 1 cup of the tomato sauce in the bottom of an ovenproof casserole large enough to hold the chicken snugly in one layer. Arrange the chicken on top. Pour the remaining sauce over and around the chicken. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and cook for 15 minutes more.

Top with the crumbled bacon, remaining cranberries or currants and slivered almonds. Serve with cooked rice and any condiments you wish.