Recipe for Moroccan Chicken with Saffron and Preserved Lemon
Saffron, preserved lemon, and cumin seed are Moroccan flavors that are infused into slow-braised chicken thighs, which are typically served with couscous or rice. 1/4 cup olive oil or to taste, 4 large chicken thighs, 3 cloves garlic minced, 1/2 preserved lemon pulp discarded and thinly sliced, 2 cups water or as needed, 16 saffron threads, 1 white onion chopped, salt and ground black pepper to taste, 1/4 cup olives or to taste, 2 artichoke bottoms chopped, 1 teaspoon ground turmeric, 1/4 cup coarsely chopped parsley, 2 tablespoons olive oil or as needed, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
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Recipe for Moroccan Chicken
spices — lots of spices — Your taste buds will be thick with pleasure from Moroccan Chicken because this recipe is thick with them. This dish has an exotic flavor that is sure to please. 1 onion chopped, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 zucchini sliced, 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, 2 carrots sliced, 1 cup crushed tomatoes, 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin, 1.5 cups chicken broth, 2 stalks celery sliced, 1 pound skinless boneless chicken breast meat - cubed, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1 cup canned chickpeas drained, 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric, 2 cloves garlic chopped
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[ID: A large bowl filled with several chicken breasts covered in an herb marinade, dark green olives, and pale yellow lemon wedges. End ID.]
Vegan tajine djaj b zitoun / طاجين الدجاج بالزيتون (Moroccan chicken stew with olives and preserved lemon)
This tajine features chicken flavored with chermoula--a Moroccan marinade primarily consisting of cilantro and parsley (in ratios anywhere from 1:1 to 4:1) but also inclusive of garlic, spices, chili pepper, garlic, and lemon, depending on region and personal preference. The chicken is then slow-cooked in olive oil and water to produce a thick, saucy stew; bitter olives and Moroccan preserved lemons add tanginess, salt, and color.
Recipe under the cut!
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INGREDIENTS:
For the marinade:
~ 300g unseasoned, unbreaded vegan chicken breast (I used Gardein)
2-inch chunk cassia cinnamon, or 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp black peppercorns, or ground black pepper
1/2 tsp sweet paprika
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1/2 tsp cumin seeds, or ground cumin
1 small bouquet parsley
1 small bouquet cilantro
pulp of 1 preserved lemon*
1 clove garlic
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup water
pinch of saffron
*Moroccan preserved lemons are simply a Moroccan variety of lemon preserved in saltwater. They may be found in halaal grocery stores; Mina is a brand that I've seen in western grocery stores in the U.S.. I've also used Thai preserved lemons from an Asian grocery store in a pinch.
For the dish:
1 Tbsp vegetarian chicken stock concentrate (or substitute soy sauce)
1/2 cup water (vegetable stock, if not using chicken stock)
Large handful of bitter green olives
1 preserved lemon, quartered
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 Tbsp olive oil
salt to taste
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. If frozen, allow chicken to thaw in the refrigerator for several hours, or in a large bowl full of warm water, while you prepare the marinade.
2. Grind saffron to a fine powder in a mortar and pestle, or crumble it between your fingers. Soak it in 1/2 cup of just-boiled water for at least 10 minutes.
3. If using whole spices: heat a dry skillet over medium heat and toast cinnamon and black peppercorns for a few minutes until fragrant and a shade darker. Set aside. Toast cumin seeds for about a minute until fragrant and set aside. Remove the skillet from heat and toast ground spices, agitating constantly, for about 30 seconds.
4. Grind parsley and cilantro leaves to a paste in a mortar and pestle, or mince them and then crush them with the flat of a knife. Mash garlic and lemon pulp in a mortar and pestle, or grate the garlic and chop the lemon pulp.
5. Mix all marinade ingredients in a large bowl and rub marinade onto both sides of each chicken breast.
6. In a large pot, heat oil on medium high. Add onions and cook for 5-8 minutes until translucent; remove from the pan or push to the side.
7. Lower heat to medium and brown chicken on both sides (about 5 minutes each side). Mix in with onions.
8. Lower heat to low and add olives, lemon, and vegetable or chicken stock. Cook, partially covered, for about half an hour to allow flavors to incorporate and stock to thicken.
(Traditionally, tajine b djaj is cooked by heating oil in a tajine, then adding onions, chicken, and water and covering to allow the chicken to steam for several hours. The lemons and olives are then added later in the cooking time. I haven't found much of a point to doing this with vegetarian chicken substitutes; the texture does not improve with simmering, and the 'chicken' doesn't let out much flavor into the cooking water (which is why I've called for stock, rather than water, in this recipe)).
Serve warm with khobz. The flesh of the preserved lemons is eaten; the rinds are left.
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