Chicken Tajine With Preserved Lemon And Olives Recipes

CHICKEN TAJINE WITH PRESERVED LEMON AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Chermoula Marinade: In a small bowl add saffron threads in water and allow to soak for a few minutes.
• In a food processor add all the 'Chermoula marinade' ingredients and combine until it forms a paste.
• Cover and allow 'Chermoula marinade' to stand for 30 minutes before using. (Chermoula marinade can be stored in the refrigerator for up to seven days).
• Wash and dry the chicken, then rub all over with half of the chermoula marinade and refrigerate overnight or for at least two hours.
• After marinating, cut tomato and onion into thin wedges and combine a little more chermoula marinade. Then spread the tomato and onion into the base of the tajine.
• Place the chicken pieces on top of tomato and onion mixture arranging them in the centre of the tajine.
• Coat potato wedges with the chermoula marinade and arrange the potatoes around chicken.
• Top the chicken with onion slices, then tomato slices and olives in between the potato wedges.
• Mix chopped coriander/cilantro with remaining chermoula marinade and water (you made add less water, it depends how much your tajine could hold). Pour mixture on top of tomatoes and onions.
• Top with preserved lemon wedges then cover tajine with lid. Cook on a very low gas heat for 45 minutes. Do not stir or lift the lid during the cooking process.
• Serve with suggested couscous.

CHICKEN TAGINE WITH PRESERVED LEMON AND OLIVES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine 1/4 cup olive oil, the coriander, cumin, paprika, cinnamon, saffron, cloves, ginger and red pepper flakes. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper and place in the marinade. Stir until the marinade covers each piece. Refrigerate for 2 hours and up to overnight.
• Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat dry; reserve the marinade. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a tagine or a large Dutch oven. Place the chicken skin-side down in the pot and brown for 4 to 5 minutes. Turn and brown an additional 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the chicken and reserve on a plate.
• Add the onions and garlic to the same pot and saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken stock, green olives, lemon peel, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and the reserved chicken and marinade. Bring to a low boil and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook 45 minutes.
• Stir in the cilantro, parsley and lemon juice. Serve with couscous if desired.

CHICKEN TAGINE WITH OLIVES AND PRESERVED LEMONS

Steps:

• First rub the rock salt into the chicken pieces and then wash the chicken in the white wine vinegar and water. Leave for 10 minutes. Rinse and dry and place onto a clean plate.
• In a large bowl, mix the olive oil, coriander, cinnamon, saffron, fine salt, 1/2 the onions, garlic, cumin, ginger, paprika, turmeric. Mix all these ingredients into the oil and crush the garlic and add a little water to make a paste.
• Roll the chicken pieces into the marinade and leave for 10 to 15 minutes.
• For cooking, use a tagine (traditional Moroccan dish) or a deep, heavy bottom casserole dish. Heat the dish up and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the hot dish. Drop in the chicken and pour over the excess marinade juices. Add the remaining onions, gizzards, chicken livers, olives, and chopped preserved lemons (no pulp).
• Cook in medium hot oven (350 degrees F) for 45 minutes.
• Serve with fresh bread.

CHICKEN TAGINE WITH GREEN OLIVES AND PRESERVED LEMON

Steps:

• In a skillet over medium heat, toast the cinnamon, peppercorns, cumin, paprika, red pepper flakes, and cloves until they start to smoke. Remove from the heat and grind in a spice grinder.
• In a bowl large enough to accommodate the chicken, add the oil, spice mix, garlic, ginger, cilantro, bay leaves and saffron. Mix to a paste. Add chicken, rubbing the marinade over all the pieces. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
• Remove the chicken from the marinade and reserve marinade. Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. In a tagine or large casserole over medium high heat add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Put in chicken pieces and lightly brown on both sides, about 5 minutes. Add onions and cook until just starting to brown, about 3 minutes. Rinse preserved lemon well. Scoop out flesh and discard; cut peel into strips and add to pan. Add reserved marinade, olives, and chicken stock. Cover tightly and cook over medium low heat for 30 to 35 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Remove bay leaf and discard. Taste juices and adjust seasoning. Place chicken on a warm platter. Spoon juices with the preserved lemon, olives, and onions over chicken and serve accompanied by Couscous with Apricots.
• Wash lemons well and dry them. Cut 4 lemons into quarters from the top, being careful not to cut all the way through. Pack salt generously into the cuts and place lemon into a sterilized glass pint jar. Continue procedure, packing the lemons into the jar as tightly as possible. Squeeze juice from remaining lemons. Add another 2 tablespoons of salt to the jar and top off with the lemon juice, make sure the lemons are completely covered. Close the jar with a non-metallic lid and set aside in a cool, dark place or the refrigerator for one month. Preserved lemons will keep for 1 year. Refrigerate after opening.
• Yield: about 4 lemons
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: none
• Inactive Prep Time: 1 month
• Put the couscous in a medium bowl; pour the hot stock over it and stir to combine. Cover and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Uncover and fluff with a fork. Add the apricots, scallions, and orange juice; drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss gently to combine. Garnish with chopped parsley.
• Yield: 4 to 6 servings
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Inactive Prep Time: 15 minutes

CHICKEN TAGINE WITH OLIVES AND PRESERVED LEMONS

Steps:

• Mix garlic, saffron, ginger, paprika, cumin and turmeric together. If not using kosher chicken, add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add pepper to taste. Rub chicken with mixture, cover, refrigerate and marinate 3 to 4 hours.
• Heat oil in heavy skillet. Add chicken, and brown on all sides. Remove to platter. Add onions to skillet, and cook over medium-low heat about 15 minutes, until lightly browned. Transfer to tagine, if you are using one, or leave in skillet. Add cinnamon stick.
• Put chicken on onions. Scatter with olives. Quarter the lemons, remove pulp and cut skin in strips. Scatter over chicken. Mix stock and lemon juice. Pour over chicken.
• Cover tagine or skillet. Place over low heat, and cook about 30 minutes, until chicken is done. Scatter parsley on top, and serve.