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May 2-4, 2025 was this year\u2019s celebration of renowned city planner, Jane Jacobs. During the weekend the Municipal Arts Society organizes a series of walking tours known as Jane\u2019s Walks. On Friday afternoon, I joined Historic Brooklyn Heights for Cat Lovers<\/em>, arriving at Walk Whitman Park a little late after dealing with the irascible subway.<\/p>\n Tour leader Peggy G. wore a cat hat and furry tail. (She owns three cats. Other members of our fifteen-person group each had one.) Peggy led us around Brooklyn Heights, designed as America\u2019s First Suburb.<\/p>\n The group stopped at 64 Poplar Street where Walt Whitman lived and wrote Leaves of Grass, <\/em>minus any cat association. (Also minus much charm; although the area has many lovely houses, Walt\u2019s isn\u2019t among them.)<\/p>\n Peggy carried a book of photos to help with context, displaying a picture of Shato Lizzie, a cat who was the official mascot of TWA and flew \u201call over performing in cat shows.\u201d <\/p>\n In front of the Plymouth Church is a statue of Henry Ward Beecher, father of Harriet Beecher Stow of Uncle Tom\u2019s Cabin<\/em> fame. \u00a0The story goes that Henry responded to a letter from a young boy forced to give up his beloved tabby and rescued the animal.<\/p>\n Henry Ward Beecher<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Truman Capote lived at 70 Willow Street while writing Breakfast at Tiffany\u2019s<\/em> and In Cold Blood<\/em>. A cat fancier, Capote had several.<\/p>\n We walked the lovely Promenade in full bloom and ended up at Borough Hall where Peggy described the work of Jerry Fox, a blind cat who wore glasses and prevented the building from burning down by meowing frantically to summon help.<\/p>\n Given glorious weather and a fondness for both cats and lovely neighborhoods, the tour was a success. \u00a0Anna Wintour did not grace the scene.<\/p>\n Now to a recipe and not for kitty chow.<\/p>\n Chicken Cacciatore (say it aloud to hear the cat ref)<\/strong><\/p>\n 4 chicken thighs<\/p>\n 2 chicken breasts with skin and backbone, halved crosswise<\/p>\n 2 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste<\/p>\n 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste<\/p>\n 1\/2 cup all purpose flour, for dredging<\/p>\n 3 tablespoons olive oil<\/p>\n 1 large red bell pepper, chopped<\/p>\n 1 onion, chopped<\/p>\n 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped<\/p>\n 3\/4 cup dry white wine<\/p>\n 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice<\/p>\n 3\/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth<\/p>\n 3 tablespoons drained capers<\/p>\n 1 1\/2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves<\/p>\n 1\/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil leaves (if you use dried, the kitchen police will not notice)<\/p>\n Sprinkle the chicken pieces with 1 teaspoon of each salt and pepper. Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour to coat lightly. (Dredge= put the flour in a plastic bag. Put the chicken in the bag and shake for a bit)<\/p>\n In a large heavy saute pan, heat the oil over a medium-high flame. Add the chicken pieces to the pan and saute just until brown, about 5 minutes per side. If all the chicken does not fit in the pan, saute it in 2 batches. Transfer the chicken 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 chicken 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 chicken is just cooked through, about 30 minutes for the breast pieces, and 20 minutes for the thighs.<\/p>\n Using tongs, transfer the chicken 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 chicken, then sprinkle with the basil and serve.<\/p>\n Hum What’s New Pussycat.\u00a0 Think and dismiss the idea of moving to Brooklyn Heights.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" May 2-4, 2025 was this year\u2019s celebration of renowned city planner, Jane Jacobs. During the weekend the Municipal Arts Society organizes a series of walking tours known as Jane\u2019s Walks. On Friday afternoon, I joined Historic Brooklyn Heights for Cat … Continue reading ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/marigoldonline.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/StratoLizzieAward-300x235.jpg\")
(Performing is something my cat, Sake, doesn\u2019t do unless you count running through a cat tunnel when she feels like it as a performance.)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/marigoldonline.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/sakepg-294x300.jpg\")
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