Braised Chicken And Rice With Orange Saffron Almond And Pistachio Syrup Food

BRAISED CHICKEN AND RICE WITH ORANGE, SAFFRON, ALMOND, AND PISTACHIO SYRUP

Steps:

• Rinse the rice in a sieve under cold running water until the water runs clear; put to one side.
• Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot and throw in the onions. Cook over medium heat until they soften and turn golden. Season the chicken thighs and add them to the pan. Brown on all sides, then pour in 2 1/2 cups water and bring to a simmer. Cover with a lid and cook until the chicken is tender, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, peel the zest from the orange with a potato peeler, then cut it into matchstick strips. Blanch in a small pan of boiling water for a couple of minutes, then drain.
• Dissolve the sugar in 1/2 cup (scant) water in a small, heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat, then bring to a boil and let bubble to reduce and thicken for 5 to 10 minutes until syrupy. Add the orange zest, slivered almonds, and pistachios and boil for 5 minutes, skimming off any froth. Strain the syrup and return to the pan; set aside the orange zest and nuts. Add the saffron and rose water to the syrup and boil again for 3 minutes, then add the cardamom seeds.
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Strain the stock from the chicken thighs and add the syrup to it. Make this up to 3 cups with more water. Bring it to a boil in an ovenproof casserole and add the rice. Season and add two-thirds of the orange zest and nuts, keeping the rest to one side. Bring back to a boil, then cover and simmer until the rice is cooked. The liquid should have all been absorbed by now.
• Bury the chicken and onions in the rice and add the fava beans and peas, if you are including them. Put the lid on and cook in the oven for 20 minutes.
• Serve straight from the pan or, if you prefer, in a large, warmed serving dish. Sprinkle the last third of the orange zest and nuts over the top before bringing it to the table.

SPICY ALMOND CHICKEN AND RICE

Steps:

• In a small pot, loosen the almond butter over low heat, then add the stock, hoisin, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, Sriracha and lime juice, season with black pepper, bring to a bubble and simmer to let sauce thicken and flavors combine.
• Heat the oil over high heat in a large skillet. Add the leeks or onions, celery, carrots, chiles and snap peas and stir-fry to tender-crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the water chestnuts and toss to combine. Add the sauce and chicken and toss to combine. Season with salt to taste. Cool and store for a make-ahead meal. Reheat quickly over medium-high heat when you are ready to serve.
• To serve, cook the rice to package directions. Toast the almonds in a small pan until golden and fragrant.
• Serve the chicken with the rice; sprinkle with the almonds.
• Place the chicken in a large stockpot. Add the celery, carrot, onion, garlic, lemon, bay leaf, peppercorns and the herb bundle; season with salt. Cover the chicken with water and bring to a boil; reduce the heat to a low, rolling simmer. Simmer 60 to 75 minutes, then cool the chicken in its stock. Strain the stock. Remove the chicken in large pieces from the skin and bones. Cut half of the meat into bite-size chunks. Thinly slice or pull the remaining meat.

BRAISED RICE WITH SAFFRON

Steps:

• Bring the chicken stock to a simmer in a 2-3 quart saucepan and keep it barely simmering over low heat.
• In a heavy 3qt flamproof casserole, melt 4 tbls butter over moderate heat. Cook the onions in the butter, stirring frequently, for 7-8 minutes. Do not let them brown.
• Stir in the optional marrow, then add the rice and cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes, or until the grains glisten with the butter and are somewhat opaque.
• Pour in the wine and boil it until it is almost completely absorbed.
• Add 2 cups of the simmering stock to the rice and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until almost all of the liquid is absored.
• Add 2 more cups of stock and cook, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, stir the saffron into 2 cups of stock and let it steep for a few minutes.
• Pour it over the rice. Cook until the stock is completely absorbed.
• By now the rice should be tender. If it is still firm, add the remaining stock- 1/2 cup at a time - and continue cooking and stirring until the rice is soft.
• Stir in 4 tabl of soft butter and the grated cheese with a fork, taking care not to mash the rice.
• Serve at once while the rice is creamy and piping hot.

BRAISED LEMON-SAFFRON CHICKEN AND POTATOES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Using a mortar and pestle (or the bottom of a spoon and a bowl), grind the saffron threads into a powder as best you can. Add the 2 tablespoons hot water and stir to combine. Set aside.
• Place the chicken in a 9-by-13-inch roasting pan or baking dish. Cut large potatoes into 1-inch pieces and add to the pan. Drizzle the chicken and potatoes with the oil, then season well with salt and pepper.
• Add the lemon juice to the saffron water, mix to combine, then pour over the chicken and potatoes, stirring to coat. Arrange the chicken skin-side down. Sprinkle evenly with the whole black peppercorns, if using, then cover tightly with foil. (It's OK if everything is close together.)
• Cook until the meat is tender and easily pulled from the bone, and the potatoes are soft, about 1 1/2 hours. During the last 15 minutes, remove the foil, flip the chicken, stir the potatoes and cook for 15 minutes more, uncovered, to reduce some of the liquid.
• Season with black pepper and serve with rice or pita to soak up the lemony juices.

PERSIAN SAFFRON BRAISED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place saffron threads into a small cup or bowl and crush them up a bit with a spoon. Fill with 3-4 tablespoons of hot water, and stir. Let bloom for about 10 minutes - the water should turn bright yellow/orange. Set aside.
• Season both sides of the chicken thighs with about 1 teaspoon salt and freshly cracked pepper.
• Heat 1 tbsp of oil on medium-high heat in a large non-stick skillet.
• Add chicken thighs and sear on both sides until golden (about 3-4 minutes each side). Remove and place on a plate to the side.
• In the same pan, add in the onions and cook on medium for 3-4 minutes, until softened and starting to color.
• Add in garlic and curry powder and stir for about a minute, until fragrant.
• Add in chicken stock/water and bring to a boil.
• Reduce to a simmer and add in saffron mixture. Season with 1 tsp salt and freshly cracked pepper. Stir.
• Add chicken thighs back to the pan, cover, and let cook on low for 20 minutes, flipping thighs halfway through, and seasoning to taste.
• Remove from pan, spoon over sauce, and serve with rice, greens, or salad!

BRAISED ORANGE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook chicken thighs in the hot oil until browned, about 5 minutes per side. Remove chicken thighs and set aside.
• Cook and stir onion in the same skillet until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in garlic; cook and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Stir in tomatoes, orange juice, orange liqueur, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes until thoroughly combined.
• Return chicken thighs to the skillet, cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until chicken is tender and no longer pink inside, 25 to 30 minutes.