Recipe of the day

Chicken Paprika::

4 part-boned chicken breasts or 8 thighs
1 heaped tablespoon hot paprika, plus a little extra, to sprinkle
2-3 tablespoons groundnut or other flavourless oil
2 medium onions, chopped
1 dessertspoon plain flour
2 good pinches of cayenne pepper
1 lb (450 g) ripe tomatoes, skinned and chopped or 14 oz (400 g) tinned Italian tomatoes
5 fl oz (150 ml) chicken stock
1 medium green or red pepper, deseeded and cut into small strips
5 fl oz (150 ml) soured cream
salt and freshly milled black pepper
Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 3, 325F (170C).

Directions

1.You will also need a 6 pint (3.5 litre), lidded, deep frying pan or casserole.

2.Begin by heating 2 tablespoons of the oil in the frying pan or casserole and gently frying the chicken joints or thighs to a golden colour, you will probably need to do this in two batches. As the chicken is ready, use a draining spoon to transfer it to a plate, and season it with salt and pepper. In the oil left (add a little more if you need to) fry the onions gently for about 10 minutes to soften. Meanwhile, if you are using fresh tomatoes, you can skin them. To do this, pour boiling water over them and leave them for exactly 1 minute or 15-30 seconds if the tomatoes are small, before draining and slipping off their skins (protect your hands with a cloth if they are too hot). Then chop them.

3.Now stir in the flour, cayenne pepper and paprika into the onions, with a wooden spoon, to soak up the juices before adding the chopped tomatoes. Stir them around a bit, then add the stock. Bring everything up to a simmering point, then return the chicken to the pan or casserole, put the lid on and bake in the oven for 45 minutes. After that, stir in the chopped pepper, replace the lid and cook for a further 30 minutes.

4.Just before serving, spoon the soured cream all over, mixing it in just to give a marbled effect, then sprinkle on a little more paprika.