40 cloves..

ayup kids, it's time for another recipe!

3 whole heads garlic, about 40 cloves
3 lbs chicken thighs salt and pepper
1 T unsalted butter
2 T good olive oil
3 T Cognac
1½ c dry white wine
1 T fresh thyme leaves
2 T all-purpose flour
2 T heavy cream

separate the cloves of garlic and drop them into a pot of boiling water for 60 seconds. drain the garlic and peel. set aside.

dry the chicken with paper towels. season liberally with salt and pepper on both sides. heat the butter and oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat. in batches, saute the chicken in the fat, skin side down first, until nicely browned, about 3 to 5 minutes on each side. turn with tongs or a spatula; you don't want to pierce the skin with a fork. if the fat is burning, turn the heat down to medium. when a batch is done, transfer it to a plate and continue to saute all the chicken in batches. remove the last chicken to the plate and add all of the garlic to the pot. lower the heat and saute for 5 to 10 minutes, turning often, until evenly browned. add cognac and the wine, return to a boil, and scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. return the chicken to the pot with the juices and sprinkle with the thyme leaves. cover and simmer over the lowest heat for about 30 minutes, until all the chicken is done.

remove the chicken to a platter and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm. in a small bowl, whisk together ½ c of the sauce and the flour and then whisk it back into the sauce in the pot. raise the heat, add the cream, and boil for 3 minutes. add salt and pepper, to taste. pour the sauce and the garlic over the chicken and serve hot.

we're having this with couscous and a spinach, dried cranberry, candied pecan and blue cheese salad with raspberry vinaigrette. it's a packaged salad from trader joe's... pick it up if you've got one near!