Brick Chicken With Apricot Couscous Food

BRICK CHICKEN WITH APRICOT COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Toast cumin, coriander and cinnamon in a medium saucepan over low heat until fragrant. In a clean spice grinder or coffee grinder, blend spices until fine. Add the toasted spices to a bowl with paprika and cayenne. Season with kosher salt. Stir in the olive oil and lemon juice.
• Prepare chicken by splitting it down the back and removing the backbone, breast bone and rib cage. Lay the chicken out flat and rub the blended spices all over. Marinate for up to 4 hours or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Heat a large cast iron skillet (or other heavy oven-proof pan) over medium-high heat. When hot, add a 2 count of extra-virgin olive oil and place the chicken skin side down in the pan. Cover it with a second cast iron pan (you could also use a more traditional foil-wrapped brick) immediately so the skin doesn't have time to contract. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 10 to 15 minutes until chicken is golden brown and has a nice crust. Finish cooking in the oven for a further 20 to 25 minutes. Internal temperature between the leg and thigh should register 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, when cooked through. Serve with Mint Yogurt Dressing and Apricot Couscous.
• While chicken is cooking, combine yogurt, cilantro, mint, green onions, honey, lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, and salt and pepper, to taste, in a blender. Blend until mixture is fully combined and has a smooth consistency.
• In a medium saucepan add a 2 count of extra-virgin olive oil. Add the red onion, apricots and almonds and saute gently over low heat until translucent and slightly fragrant. Add the couscous then dump in the warm chicken broth. Stir with a fork to combine, add lemon zest and cover. Let sit for 10 minutes, then uncover and add the scallions, mint, and cilantro. Fluff again with a fork. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Toss gently to combine.
• Serve family-style on a large platter and garnish with fresh cilantro.

APRICOT COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan add a 2 count of extra-virgin olive oil. Add the red onion, apricots and almonds and saute gently over low heat until translucent and slightly fragrant. Add the couscous then dump in the warm chicken broth. Stir with a fork to combine, add lemon zest and cover. Let sit for 10 minutes, then uncover and add the scallions, mint, and cilantro. Fluff again with a fork. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Toss gently to combine.
• Serve family-style on a large platter and garnish with fresh cilantro.

MOROCCAN CHICKEN SOUP WITH APRICOT COUSCOUS

Steps:

• SOUP:.
• Sauté onion in oil in a large pot over medium heat until onion is soft, 5 minutes.
• Add gingerroot, garlic, paprika, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, nutmeg, and pepper flakes.
• Cook 1 minute.
• Deglaze pot with wine, reduce until liquid is nearly evaporated.
• Stir in broth, chicken, chickpeas, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and olives.
• Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer soup for 10 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Garnish soup with cilantro and almonds.
• Serve with Apricot Couscous and E N J O Y!
• APRICOT COUSCOUS:.
• Bring water honey, oil, lemon juice, zest and salt to a boil in a saucepan.
• Remove from heat.
• Stir in couscous and apricots: cover and let stand until water is absorbed, about 5 minutes.
• Fluff couscous with a fork before serving with soup.