Recipe: Braised Chicken in Tomato Sauce

Today started as one of those gloomy days.  Clouds blanketing the sky with the feel of water in the air.  When these days hit, I usually crave something that just hugs the inside of my belly.  Today, I was craving pasta with a slow cooked red sauce....specifically, a tomato sauce braised chicken drumstick over whole wheat spaghetti.  Can you feel it just thinking about it?  You know....the belly hugs.....

This is one awesome recipe....tender chicken, flavorful tomato sauce, wholesome whole wheat noodles.....who could ask for more?!

Braised Chicken in Tomato Sauce

1.5 pounds (approximately) of chicken drumsticks
1 onion (diced)
2 carrots (diced)
2-3 cloves of garlic (minced)
1 can of diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
1 can of tomato sauce (14.5 oz)
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon of dried basil
1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 package of whole wheat spaghetti noodles

1.  Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a medium to large pot over medium/medium high heat.  Salt and pepper the chicken drumsticks.  Once the oil is hot, sear the chicken drumsticks so the chicken juices seal in.  Do this in two batches to avoid overcrowding the pot.
2.  Once the drumsticks have been seared, discard the remaining oil.  Add the other tablespoon of oil and heat over medium heat.  Add the onions and carrots to the oil.  Saute until translucent.  Add the garlic and saute for 2 more minutes.  Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, and more salt and pepper (to taste).  Nestle the chicken drumsticks in the sauce.  Simmer over low to medium heat for 1 hour or until the chicken is very tender.
3.  Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil.  Add a tablespoon of salt to the water.  Add the whole wheat spaghetti noodles and cook according to the time stated on the package.
4.  Serve the chicken and tomato sauce over the noodles.  Accompany this recipe with a salad for nutritious and balanced meal.  I paired it with a watercress and radicchio salad drizzled with a plum vinaigrette.