Broiled Chicken Thighs With Baba Ghanoush Apricots And Cinnamon Food

GRILLED MIDDLE EASTERN BABA GHANOUSH

Steps:

• Pierce the eggplants in a few places with a fork, so steam has somewhere to go when you cook them.
• For a smoky flavor that will add depth to the finished dish, grill the eggplants on a very hot, oiled grill pan (or barbecue) until the skins are wrinkled and black, and the eggplants shriveled and soft; turning often. (If you prefer, roast the eggplants in a preheated 400 degree F oven for 30 minutes.)
• When the eggplants are cool enough to handle, split them open and scoop out the flesh, discarding the skin and as many seeds as possible.
• In a food processor, combine the garlic, tahini, lemon juice and parsley; puree until smooth. Add the eggplant flesh; season with cumin, salt, and pepper; pulse several times to make a thick, coarse puree. Pour in the oil and pulse again to incorporate. Taste and adjust seasoning, as needed. Pour into a serving bowl and garnish with chopped pistachios. Serve with pita wedges for dipping.

ZESTY BROILED CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Combine onion, lime juice, orange juice, garlic, avocado oil, coriander, cumin, Mexican oregano, chipotle chile powder, and smoked paprika in the bowl of a blender or food processor. Pulse several times to mix, then puree for 1 minute, until there are no visible pieces.
• Place marinade in a 1-gallon resealable bag and add chicken thighs. Squeeze out most of the air and seal. Gently squeeze contents of the bag until the chicken pieces are coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 3 hours.
• Set an oven rack about 4 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler. Place marinated chicken thighs on a broiler pan.
• Broil until chicken thighs start to char, about 8 minutes. Flip and continue broiling until the second side is lightly charred, about 7 minutes more. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken thigh should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
• Remove chicken pieces to a serving platter.

BABA GHANOUSH WITH WARM PITA

Steps:

• Split the eggplants in half through the stem and score sides. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt. Grill eggplants on a very hot grill pan until skins are wrinkled and black and flesh side is nicely charred.
• When the eggplants are cool enough to handle, cut off tops.
• In a food processor, combine eggplant, garlic, tahini, lemon juice, cumin, and cilantro and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Pour in the olive oil and pulse again to incorporate. Taste and adjust seasoning, as needed. Pour into a serving bowl and garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and some roughly chopped cilantro. Serve with pita strips for dipping.
• To make pita strips.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Put the pita wedges in a large mixing bowl. Combine za'atar spice mix and extra-virgin olive oil and drizzle over wedges. Season with salt and toss to coat evenly. Lay out pita wedges on a roasting tray and bake in the hot oven for 10 to 15 minutes until warmed through. If you prefer a crispier pita bake for a further 5 to 7 minutes. Serve warm with baba ghanoush.

CLASSIC BABA GHANOUSH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375F. Cut each eggplant in half vertically and place on sheet pan. Drizzle with about 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 40-45 minutes until very soft.
• Let eggplants cool before handling. Scoop eggplant flesh out of skins into bowl of a food processor. Add lemon juice, tahini, garlic, olive oil and salt and pepper. Process until smooth. Serve with pita bread or pita chips.

BROILED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH FENNEL, ONIONS, AND ROASTED RED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler.
• Char the peppers over an open gas burner for 10 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally. Alternatively, char the peppers under the broiler for 7 to 8 minutes, turning occasionally, with the oven door slightly ajar to allow steam to escape. Place the charred peppers in bowl and cover with plastic wrap. When cool, peel and seed the peppers and slice lengthwise.
• Heat 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions, fennel and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for 15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and sweet. Deglaze with vinegar and combine with the peppers.
• Place a cooling rack over a baking sheet and place the chicken thighs on it. Drizzle the chicken thighs lightly with extra-virgin olive oil and season liberally with salt, pepper, and fennel pollen. Arrange rack in upper third of oven; chicken thighs should be 8-inches from the broiler. Broil the chicken thighs for 12 to 15 minutes, turning occasionally. Dress the cooked chicken with lemon zest and juice.
• Arrange the chicken on a platter and top with the onions, fennel, and peppers. Scatter fennel fronds over the top.

CRISPY GARLIC-BROILED CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix the butter, soy sauce, garlic and pepper. Reserve 1/4 cup soy mixture for basting. Add chicken to remaining soy mixture; turn to coat., Place chicken on a broiler pan, skin side down. Broil 4-6 in. from the heat for 10-15 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 170°-175°. Brush occasionally with reserved soy mixture during the last 10 minutes of cooking.

APRICOT CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Combine all but chicken and dried apricots.
• Mix well, set aside.
• Trim excess fat from chicken.
• Rinse chicken with cold water, pat dry.
• Place chicken in a 12 x 8 x 2" baking dish.
• Pour reserved apricot nectar mixture over chicken.
• Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
• Uncover, and place aproicot halves in apricot nectar mixture.
• Continue baking, uncovered, 15 minutes or until chicken is tender.
• Remove chicken to a warmed serving platter, discarding apricot nectar mixture.
• Garnish each thigh with 2 apricot halves.
• Serve immediately.