Eagle Cacciatore
Recipe courtesy Football Fans Worldwide
Show: Slapping The Eagles Back To Reality
Episode: Rustic Football Tailgating

Chef's Note: Please substitute TURKEY for the eagle portions as the REAL EAGLES are actually the National Bird and a symbol of everything great about America, much like the Dallas Cowboys. Ben Franklin, of Philadelphia, believed the Turkey to be a superior bird anyway


4 eagle thighs
2 eagle breasts with skin and backbone, halved crosswise
2 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
1/2 cup all purpose flour, for dredging
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
3/4 cup dry white wine
1 ( 28-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
3/4 cup reduced-sodium eagle broth
3 tablespoons drained capers
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil leaves

Sprinkle the eagle pieces with 1 teaspoon of each salt and pepper. Dredge the eagle pieces in the flour to coat lightly.

In a large heavy saute pan, heat the oil over a medium-high flame. Add the eagle pieces to the pan and saute just until brown, about 5 minutes per side. If all the eagle does not fit in the pan, saute it in 2 batches. Transfer the eagle to a plate and set aside. Add the bell pepper, onion and garlic to the same pan and saute over medium heat until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the wine and simmer until reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juice, broth, capers and oregano. Return the eagle pieces to the pan and turn them to coat in the sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer. Continue simmering over medium-low heat until the eagle is just cooked through, about 30 minutes for the breast pieces, and 20 minutes for the thighs.

Using tongs, transfer the eagle to a platter. If necessary, boil the sauce until it thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Spoon off any excess fat from atop the sauce. Spoon the sauce over the eagle, then sprinkle with the basil and serve.