Kids' table

The first night we had Ariana, Niko & Lucas staying with us, we served all 6 kids roast for dinner at the kitchen table and hardly heard a peep out of them. Gabi, Jano, David & I were able to have dinner and adult conversation!

Gabriel noted that we had room at the kitchen table for one more big kid and one more baby (a regular chair and one with a booster seat in it).

The next night was after our afternoon of bowling, so Benjamin & Sofia joined the cousins at the kids' table. Gabriel was thrilled by the table being completely surrounded with kids! That night we had chicken cacciatore and the kids still ate and behaved remarkably well.

This was a new recipe; we got it on the internet. It requires an hour up front, but then it cooks all day in the crock pot. You know how sometimes the crock pot makes chicken rubbery? This recipe didn't! And as you can see, it's a large amount. With pasta, salad & bread, this was enough for 16 people.

In case any of you want to try it, here it is:

Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore
1 chicken 5 lbs. cut into pieces
1/4 C. olive oil
1 C. flour
1 C. onions
1 C. mushrooms sliced
1 C. carrots julienned
1 C. green pepper julienned
2 T. garlic minced
8 C. tomatoes chopped and peeled
1 small can tomato paste
3/4 C. red wine
1 t. oregano
1 t. basil
1 1/2 t. salt
1 t. pepper
freshly grated Romano cheese

Wash and drain chicken pieces

Heat the oil in a deep skillet. Roll and coat each piece of chicken in the flour. Brown each piece of chicken until golden brown. Add the chicken to the crock pot.

Saute the onion, mushroom, carrots, green peppers and garlic in the same pan for 10 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, wine, oregano, basil, salt and pepper. Cook for 10 minutes and then add it to the chicken in the crock pot. Cook on high for 1 hour. Turn down to low and cook for 6 - 7 hours.

Taste to adjust seasonings and serve with the Romano cheese.