Braised Chicken with Sweet Potato Dumplings - The Local Palate

Ingredients

• 2 whole chicken leg quarters
• Salt and freshly cracked pepper
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, onion, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, smashed
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 sprig fresh thyme
• ¼ cup white wine
• 4 cups chicken stock or water
• 2 pounds sweet potatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ cup ricotta cheese
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 cup flour
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 cup cider vinegar
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon peppercorns
• 1 teaspoon allspice berries
• 8 banana peppers, cut into rings
• 1 tablespoon cold butter
• Crumbled blue cheese