BRAISED CHILE CHICKEN

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 cup yellow cornmeal

1 teaspoon ancho chile powder

1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile powder

2 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste

1 chicken (4 to 5 lbs), cut into pieces

1 can (14 - 1/2 oz) diced peeled tomatoes

1/2 cup chicken stock

1 can (4 oz) whole green chiles, cut into strips

1 fresh jalapeno chile, minced

1 can chipotle chile in adobo sauce, minced

black pepper

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a pot just large enough to accommodate chicken in a single layer. Meanwhile, in a shallow bowl, whisk together cornmeal, chile powders and salt. Dredge chicken in cornmeal mixture, turning to coat.

Add half the chicken pieces to pot and cook, turning once, until well browned on all sides and skin is very crisp, about 8 minutes; remove and set aside. Brown remaining chicken the same way.

Add tomatoes, chicken stock, canned chiles, half the jalapeno and the chipotle chile in pot. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer and arrange chicken pieces, side side up, on top of sauce. being careful not to let sauce completely cover crisp skin. Simmer, uncovered, until chicken is cooked through, about 40 minutes. Remove chicken from sauce and transfer to a platter. Season with salt and pepper and add remaining jalapeno to taste. Spoon sauce around chicken and garnish with cilantro.

Yield: Makes 6 servings

Notes: Serve with rice and beans, cornbread or flour tortillas. The leftovers make GREAT!!! tacos.