Guerre is still War

Words are powerful things. If you say the word Christmas, people are instantly drawn to thoughts of family, festivities and all that those things have proven to be in their experience. You say the word hate, and it evokes a very different feeling. Then everything changes if you speak the same word in a different tongue. Haine does not sound so ugly and Noel sounds more romantic. With this in mind, consider the following :

Alouette, gentille Alouette
       ( Lark, nice lark)
Alouette, je te plumerai
       ( Lark, I shall pluck you)
    Je te plumerai la tête
        (I shall pluck your head)
    Je te plumerai la tête
        (I shall pluck your head)
    Et la tête
        (And your head)
    Et la tête
        (And your head)
    Alouette
       ( Lark)
    Alouette
        (Lark)
   O-o-o-oh 

Still think of it as a cute French children's song ? It is a work song used by the Voyagers. Still want to shop at Target and worry about those colorful Mimes jumping out from anywhere ? Plucking larks (and other birds ) indeed !

Sadly, I must admit that I have a rather strong French ancestry , and thoughts of that song and sights of these visitor at my patio make me think of one thing- chicken dinner ! But not simply tossing a chicken in the oven. Something , as Paula Deen would say  "is better than it's mamma knew it" . This Pollo alla Olive fits the bill !

Pollo alle Olive

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 pinwheel chicken parts ( legs and thighs)
salt/pepper
3/4 chicken stock
4 cloves garlic, de germed and chopped
14.5 ounces canned cherry tomatoes – chopped
4 fresh sage leaves – chopped
1/2 cup Pitted Black Olives – halved

1. Pour olive oil into a deep sided skillet. Heat over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add chicken {skin side down} . Season with salt and pepper. Cook until chicken is browned on all sides. Turning as necessary. When browned, transfer chicken to a plate.
2. Add chicken stock to hot pan. Allow to evaporate to half volume. Add garlic, tomatoes and sage and pepper. Stir to combine. Cook for 3-4 minutes until mixture is warmed through. Return chicken to pan. Cover and allow to cook until sauce has thickened and chicken is cooked through. Approximately 20-30 minutes. Add olives, add salt to taste.