Djedj Mechoui Algerian Poulet Rotiroast Chicken Food

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.

INDIAN STYLE STUFFED ROAST CHICKEN

Steps:

• Mix together the saffron and nutmeg into the milk. Brush the chicken skin with the mixture and then pour the remaining milk into the body cavity.
• Melt the butter in a large pan and when hot brown the chicken all over, remove the chicken and set aside for stuffing.
• Using the same pan, in the remaining butter fry the chopped onions chillies, and sultanas, for 3 minutes Remove from the heat.
• Add the ground almonds, poppy seeds, apricots and eggs.
• Stuff the chicken with the mixture.
• In the same pan fry all off the masala ingredients over low heat for 4 mins, add the water and stir well.
• Place the chicken on the bed of masala, cover the pan and cook over medium heat till chicken is tender, about 1 1/4 hours.
• Serve the chicken with the masala gravy poured over and garnished with the coconut.

CROCKPOT ROASTED CHICKEN (POULET ROTI - A RECIPE INSPIRED BY CHE

Steps:

• Put the onions in the bottom of your crockpot.
• Mix together the herbs and spices, rubbing them together with your fingers to blend.
• Gently lift the skin from either side of the breast and using your fingers, push a bit of the herb mix under each side.
• Turn the chicken over and make a small slit behind each thigh and push some of the herb mix under the thigh skin.
• Sprinkle the rest of the herb mixture over the top of the chicken and if you have any left sprinkle it inside the chicken.
• Put your chicken into the crockpot, on top of the onions, breast side up. No liquid is needed, the chicken will make it's own juices!
• Cook in the crockpot on the low setting for 4-6 hours. My crockpot cooked the chicken in about 5 hours. I'd recommend a pop-up timer in the chicken because some crock pots cook faster/slower than others.

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.