Chicken Stew With Sweet Potatoes Almonds And Apricots Recipes

CHICKEN STEW WITH SWEET POTATOES, ALMONDS AND APRICOTS

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a heavy casserole or deep lidded frying pan over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and brown for 5 minutes on each side. Remove to a bowl.
• Add the remaining oil to the pot, turn the heat to medium and add the onion and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring to deglaze the bottom of the pot, for about 5 minutes, until tender. Add the cinnamon, turmeric and ginger and stir together. Return the chicken to the pot, along with any liquid that has accumulated in the bowl. Add the sweet potatoes, saffron, chicken stock and salt to taste, and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the almonds and apricots and continue to simmer until the chicken is tender enough to fall off the bone and the sweet potatoes are falling apart, about 15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve with rice or another grain, like bulgur.

CHICKEN STEW WITH SWEET POTATOES, ALMONDS AND APRICOTS

Steps:

• 1. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a heavy casserole or deep lidded frying pan over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and brown for 5 minutes on each side. Remove to a bowl. 2. Add the remaining oil to the pot, turn the heat to medium and add the onion and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring to deglaze the bottom of the pot, for about 5 minutes, until tender. Add the cinnamon, turmeric and ginger and stir together. Return the chicken to the pot, along with any liquid that has accumulated in the bowl. Add the sweet potatoes, saffron, chicken stock and salt to taste, and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the almonds and apricots and continue to simmer until the chicken is tender enough to fall off the bone and the sweet potatoes are falling apart, about 15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve with rice or another grain, like bulgur. Yield: 4 to 6 servings. Instructions for blanching almonds: Bring a small pot of water to a boil and drop in the almonds. Count to 20, then drain, transfer briefly to a bowl of cold water and drain again. Squeeze the almonds between thumb and forefinger to pop them out of their skins. Advance preparation: This will keep for 3 or 4 days in the refrigerator and freezes well (the sweet potatoes will fall apart when you thaw and reheat). Nutritional information per serving (4 servings, using 3 legs and 3 thighs): 485 calories;

CHICKEN TAGINE WITH APRICOTS AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Stir together ground cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons oil in a large bowl. Add chicken and turn to coat well.
• Heat butter and 1 tablespoon oil in base of tagine (or in skillet), uncovered, over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then brown half of chicken, skin sides down, turning over once, 8 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Brown remaining chicken in same manner, adding any spice mixture left in bowl.
• Add onion and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt to tagine and cook, uncovered, stirring frequently, until soft, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes. Tie cilantro and parsley into a bundle with kitchen string and add to tagine along with 1/2 cup water, chicken, and any juices accumulated on plate. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, 30 minutes.
• While chicken cooks, bring honey, remaining cup water, cinnamon stick, and apricots to a boil in a 1- to 2-quart heavy saucepan, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until apricots are very tender (add more water if necessary). Once apricots are tender, simmer until liquid is reduced to a glaze, 10 to 15 minutes.
• While apricots cook, heat remaining 1/4 cup oil in a small skillet over moderate heat and cook almonds, stirring occasionally, until just golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
• Ten minutes before chicken is done, add apricot mixture to tagine. Discard herbs and cinnamon stick, then serve chicken sprinkled with almonds on top.