Ingredients
For the Ragu
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 large bone in chicken breasts
- 4 boneless, skinless, chicken thighs (you can also use bone in)
- 1/4 tsp each garlic salt and black pepper mixed together
- 1 cup diced pre-cooked Spanish chorizo sausage
- 1/2 cup sliced green manzanilla olives
- 1 onion sliced into thin rings
- 1 red pepper chopped and de-seeded
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/3 cup red wine
- 1 796 ml (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 large, or 6 medium, russet potatoes that have been peeled and quartered
- 1 whole head of garlic
- 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup milk
- salt and pepper to taste
For the Ragu
- Sprinkle the chicken with the garlic salt and pepper mixture.
- Saute the onion and red pepper in the olive oil over medium high heat until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Add the chicken and brown to a gentle golden on both sides.
- Add the diced chorizo, olives, and garlic. Add the red wine scraping the bottom of the pan to get all the flavour and let it reduce until the alcohol is cooked off.
- Add the tomatoes, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and the bay leaf. Stir, cover, and turn heat to a low simmer. Let simmer for 90 minutes stirring occasionally and turning the chicken over once.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Remove as much of the outer paper from the head of garlic as possible while leaving the heads intact. Slice off the tops (1/4-inch to 1/2-inch). Drizzle olive oil over the exposed garlic, and wrap in aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.
- Place potatoes in a large saucepan, add 1 teaspoon salt, cover with cold water. Bring the to a boil, and then simmer the potatoes until tender, about 15 minutes.
- Warm the milk and melt the butter together in the microwave. Drain the potatoes and return to the pot. Squeeze the roasted garlic into the potatoes and begin mashing. Add the milk and butter and mash until the potatoes are fluffy.
- Fold in the cheese
- Taste for salt and pepper and add some if needed.
