Old-World Chicken

In a small skillet cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Crumble bacon; set aside. For a spice bag, place juniper berries in the center of a double-thick, 6-inch square of 100-percent-cotton cheesecloth. Bring up corners; tie closed with clean cotton string.

In a 3 1/2- to 5-quart slow cooker combine carrots, celery, shallots, and spice bag. Add chicken. Sprinkle with crumbled bacon. In a small bowl combine broth, wine, tapioca, dried thyme and rosemary (if using), salt, and pepper. Pour over mixture in cooker.

Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 6 to 7 hours or on high-heat setting for 3 to 3 1/2 hours or until chicken is tender. Using a slotted spoon, transfer chicken and carrots to a serving platter; cover and keep warm.

If using low-heat setting, turn to high-heat setting. Stir in peas and, if using, fresh thyme and rosemary. Cover and cook for 5 minutes more. Remove and discard spice bag. Skim fat from broth mixture. Stir in currant jelly. Pour broth mixture over chicken and carrots. Serve with hot cooked rice.