HEAT ABOUT 2 TABLESPOONS OF EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL IN A PAN OVER MEDIUM HEAT. IN A SHALLOW BOWL OR PLATE, COMBINE FLOUR, PEPPER, SALT AND GARLIC POWDER. THPROUGHLY WASH AND CLEAN CHICKEN LEGS, PAT DRY WITH PAPER TOWELS AND COAT WITH FLOUR MIXTURE (DON’T SKIP THIS STEP, THE FLOUR WILL THICKEN THE SAUCE AS THE CHICKEN SIMMERS IN THE TOMATOES). PAN-FRY TO SEAR THE CHICKEN LEGS, TURNING ONCE TO BROWN THE OTHER SIDE.

TAKE SEARED CHICKEN LEGS OUT OF THE PAN, SET ASIDE. IN THE SAME PAN, ADD A LITTLE MORE OLIVE OIL AND SAUTE THE GARLIC, THEN THE ONION AND TOMATOES, COOK UNTIL THE WATER FROM THE TOMATOES DRIES OUT AND THE TOMATOES ARE TENDER; THEN ADD A LITTLE OF THE CHICKEN STOCK AND THE TOMATO PASTE, STIR UNTIL THE PASTE IS WELL-BLENDED. ADD THE REST OF THE CHICKEN STOCK AND BEER.

SEASON WITH FISH SAUCE, IF USING AND PEPPER, STIR TO BLEND WELL, ADD 1/4 TEASPOON OF GROUND DRIED OREGANO AND 1/4 TEASPOON OF DRIED BASIL, (RUB IT BETWEEN YOUR PALMS TO RELEASE THE OIL). BOIL; LOWER HEAT AND LET SIMMER FOR ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES, COVERED.

ADD THE CHICKEN PIECES AND BRAISE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR OR UNTIL THE CHICKEN LEGS ARE VERY,VERY TENDER AND MOST OF THE SAUCE HAS EVAPORATED. YOU MAY NEED TO ADD SOME WATER IF THE LIQUID DRIES BEFORE COOKING TIME IS FINISHED, YOU MAY WANT TO LOWER YOUR HEAT TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. GIVE IT AN OCCASIONAL STIR AND TURN THE CHICKEN PIECES HALFWAY, HAVE A TASTE AND ADJUST SEASONING IF NEEDED.

THAT’S IT. SERVE HOT WITH PASTA OR STEAMED RICE

NOTE: PREPARE THIS DISH 1 1/2 -2 HOURS AHEAD OF MEAL TIME OR YOUR FAMILY WILL GET HUNGRY WAITING.