Breasts of Chicken With Garlic Cloves

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Set aside.

2. Step 2

   Drop tomatoes into a pot of boiling water and let stand about 12 seconds. Drain and peel. Cut away and discard the cores. Cut tomatoes into 1-inch cubes; there should be about 3 cups.

3. Step 3

   Heat oil in a heavy casserole and add chicken pieces. Scatter garlic cloves around. Cook chicken until golden brown on one side, about 2 minutes. Turn chicken pieces and garlic. Scatter onion around and cook briefly until wilted. Add wine, cubed tomatoes, bay leaf and thyme. Cover closely and cook 10 minutes.

4. Step 4

   Remove garlic cloves and, when cool enough to handle, peel them.

5. Step 5

   Chop cloves and mash them to a paste with the flat side of a knife. Return mashed garlic to casserole. Cover closely and cook 10 minutes. Remove bay leaf and serve.