Chtitha Djedj Algerian Chicken In Sauce Food

CHTIT'HA DJEDJ (ALGERIAN CHICKEN IN SAUCE)

Steps:

• Finely chop onion and fry gently in 2tbs oil in large saucepan until starting to soften. Add the chicken and brown for 10 mins, add garlic, spices, salt, tomato puree and Harissa and cook for another 2 minutes.
• Add stock, stir and bring to boil.
• Simmer for 30 mins or until chicken is cooked and add the chickpeas simmering for another 10 mins until the sauce has thickened.

SHORBA BAIDHA - ALGERIAN CHICKEN SOUP.

Steps:

• In a large pot gently fry the onion in the olive oil. Add the chicken & the cinnamon stick & fry for 8 minutes, turning the chicken around to seal.
• Add the water & some salt & pepper to taste. Cover & simmer for 1 hour and 15 minutes on a medium heat.
• Remove the chicken from the bones & place the chicken back in the pot.
• Add the chickpeas to the pot & simmer for further 10 minutes covered.
• Check the seasoning & adjust if required. Add the rice & cover & cook for 15 minutes.
• Add more water & adjust seasoning or simmer uncovered if the soup is too concentrated or too watery.
• Finally, mix the egg yolk with the lemon juice. Add a few tsp of the soup to the mix & whisk then add the egg mixture to the pot in a thin steam, stirring continuously. Cook for 1 minute then add the parsley & take off the heat.

ALGERIAN CHICKEN AND OLIVE STEW

Steps:

• In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium high heat; add chicken and brown on all sides, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in butter, garlic, saffron, and cilantro; cook another 10 minutes, stirring, to be sure garlic and spices evenly coat the chicken.
• Add water and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until chicken is tender, about 25 minutes.
• Stir in olives and lemon juice; simmer 8 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper; serve over couscous or rice.

DJEDJ MECHOUI (ALGERIAN POULET ROTI/ROAST CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 450°F.
• Place the chicken on a rack in a roasting pan and slide your fingers under the skin of the breast and thighs to loosen/separate it from the flesh.
• Mash the garlic with the salt, using a fork or a mortar and pestle.
• Work the garlic/salt paste into the butter and then work in the spices; using your fingers, spread the spiced butter into the cavities between the skin and the flesh of the chicken.
• Squeeze the juice of one lemon over the chicken; sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Season the cavity with salt and pepper and place the four lemon halves and the thyme inside.
• Roast the chicken breast side down for 15 minutes.
• Turn the chicken breast side up and reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees.
• Baste frequently, using additional water and olive oil as needed.
• If the skin begins to brown too soon, cover with foil (but remove the foil about 15 minutes before the roasting time is up).
• The chicken should be done in about 90 minutes; the skin between the breasts and the legs should become almost transparent, the legs should move easily in the socket, and any juices should be clear.
• Let rest before carving.
• Strain excess fat out of the cooking juices and squeeze in some lemon juice for a lovely flavor.
• Note: Zari suggests serving with orange salads dressed with pomegranate vinaigrette and carrot salads dressed with lemon, cumin and olive oil.

ALGERIAN TLI TLI B'DJEDJ - PASTA WITH CHICKEN!

Steps:

• Cut chicken up into serving sizes (6-8 pieces)
• Brown in a large pan with the ghee, finely chopped onions, cinnamon, ras el hanout & pepper. Add 1 cup water & cook for 10 minutes
• Add chick peas & add enough water to cover. tomato puree & the stock cube.
• Cover & cook on medium heat for 1 hour & a half in a pan or 40 mins in the pressure cooker on med-high. If cooking in a pan, you may need to add a little extra water.
• Whilst the sauce is cooking, prepare the pasta & eggs.
• Hard boil the eggs, then peel & cut into halves.
• In a bowl, mix the pasta with 1/2 cup water & a tiny bit of olive or sunflower oil. Place in a steamer & steam for 15 minutes. Remove from steamer & separate the pasta with a little water.
• Put the pasta in a large pan & slowly spoon in a little sauce at a time until the pasta is fully cooked & the sauce has been absorbed nicely - the pasta should be moist with a little sauce coating it - not dry.
• Place pasta in a large dish / platter & top with the chicken pieces, egg halves & a some more sauce.
• Serve immediately with a green salad & crusty bread.