Moroccan Nectarine And Plum Chicken Tagine Recipes

MOROCCAN CHICKEN TAGINE

Steps:

• Combine the spices in a small bowl and set aside. Zest the lemon. Combine 1 teaspoon of the lemon zest with 1 minced garlic clove; set aside.
• Season both sides of chicken pieces with 2 teaspoons salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or pan over medium-high heat until beginning to smoke. Brown the chicken pieces skin side down in single layer until deep golden, about 5 minutes; using tongs, flip the chicken pieces over and brown the other side, about 4 minutes more. Transfer the chicken to a large plate; when cool enough to handle, peel off the skin and discard. Pour off and discard all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the pan.
• Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until they have browned at the edges but still retain their shape, 5 to 7 minutes (add a few tablespoons of water now and then if the pan gets too dark). Add the remaining minced garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the spices and flour and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the broth, honey, remaining lemon zest, and ¼ teaspoon salt, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits. Add the chicken (with any accumulated juices) back in, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add the carrots, cover, and simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the carrots are tender-crisp, about 10 minutes more.
• Stir in the olives, reserved lemon zest-garlic mixture, cilantro, and 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice; taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired. Serve with couscous.
• Note: Don't fret too much over trimming the chicken thighs. The skin gets removed midway through the cooking process and most of the fat will cook off and get drained. I usually just take kitchen shears and quickly snip off any excess skin or fat. Cracked green olives are olives that have been 'cracked' or split open before curing, allowing the brine or marinade to penetrate. You can find them in your supermarket's olive bar, or substitute any green olive that you like.
• Make-Ahead: After you have completed the step of cooking the carrots, the dish can be refrigerated for up to 2 days. To serve, gently warm on the stove until the chicken is heated through, then proceed to the step where the olives and remaining ingredients are added.

MOROCCAN CHICKEN TAGINE

Steps:

• Mix cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, coriander, ginger, mint, salt, and pepper together in a bowl. Measure out 1/2 cup spice mix and set the remaining aside for another use.
• Bring a small pot of water to a boil; add apricots and raisins. Cook until fruit is soft, about 5 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of cooking water.
• Pour enough olive oil into a large skillet or Dutch oven to coat the bottom; turn heat to medium. Coat chicken with the 1/2 cup spice mix and place in the hot oil; cook until golden brown and releases easily from the skillet, 3 to 4 minutes per side.
• Mix onion and garlic into skillet with chicken; cook and stir until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add apricots, raisins, reserved 1/2 cup water from fruit, chicken broth, and honey; reduce heat to low and cover. Cook until chicken is very tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Serve chicken garnished with cilantro and almonds.

FRESH NECTARINE AND PLUM MOROCCAN CHICKEN TAGINE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pan.
• Add the chicken, brown on all sides and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large pan.
• Add the onion, and saute for 3 minutes.
• Add the garlic and ginger and saute until fragrant, about a minute.
• Add the nectarines, plums, water, paprika, cayenne pepper, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, saffron, salt and pepper, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Add the chicken, preserved lemon, olives, harissa and honey and simmer, covered, for 25 minutes.
• Remove from heat and mix in the parsley and cilantro.

MOROCCAN NECTARINE AND PLUM CHICKEN TAGINE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pan.
• Add the chicken, brown on all sides and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large pan.
• Add the onion, and saute for 3 minutes.
• Add the garlic and ginger and saute until fragrant, about a minute.
• Add the nectarines, plums, water, paprika, cayenne pepper, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, saffron, salt and pepper, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Add the chicken, preserved lemon, olives, harissa and honey and simmer, covered, for 25 minutes.
• Remove from heat and mix in the parsley and cilantro.

CHICKEN TAGINE WITH PLUMS AND SPICES

Steps:

• Place a tagine (or large heavy-bottomed casserole) at least 10 inches in diameter over high heat, and add the oil.
• Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper.
• When the oil is hot, place the chicken pieces skin-side-down in the pot.
• When the oil starts to sizzle, reduce the heat to medium.
• Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon each of the coriander, cumin, turmeric, and curry powder (if using) over the chicken.
• Cook until the chicken is golden brown, about 15 minutes (Check regularly to make sure that the chicken is not sticking to the pan).
• Spread the onion, garlic, ginger, and tomatoes on a cutting board, and season generously with the salt and pepper.
• Add them to the tagine, covering the chicken.
• Sprinkle with the remaining coriander, cumin, turmeric, and curry powder.
• Add the lemon rind and chicken stock, cover, and cook for 15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
• Add the plums and cook for a further 15 minutes or until chicken is tender (It may take a little longer if you're using a tagine).
• To serve, place about 1/2 cup of couscous on each plate, top with a few pieces of chicken, and spoon some cooking liquid and vegetables over each plate.
• Garnish with almond slivers.