Magical Moroccan Chicken And Chickpeas Food

MOROCCAN SPICED ROAST CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Pat the chickpeas dry between two paper towels then place on the baking sheet. Drizzle with the olive oil then roast the chickpeas in the middle of the oven, tossing every 15 minutes, until deeply golden, dry and crunchy, 40 to 45 minutes.
• While the chickpeas roast, prepare the spice mixture: combine the cumin, brown sugar, cayenne, cinnamon, garlic, ginger, paprika and salt in a medium bowl. Mix until the color is uniform. As soon as the chickpeas come out of the oven, toss with the spice blend. Serve warm or at room temperature.

HARIRA: MOROCCAN CHICKPEA STEW WITH CHICKEN AND LENTILS

Steps:

• Pick over the chickpeas, cover with cold water, and soak overnight at room temperature. Drain chickpeas and rinse well with cold running water. Drain and set aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a medium stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Add the chicken in batches, and cook until well browned, about 4 minutes per batch. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside. Add the onions and celery and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the ginger, turmeric, pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Return the chicken to the pan and add the tomatoes and their juices, stirring well. Stir in the chicken stock, lentils, and chickpeas and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook at a gentle simmer for 1 hour.
• Add the rice and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and return the soup to a simmer. Cook covered for 30 minutes. Remove the lid, add the cilantro, parsley, and lemon juice and cook, uncovered for 5 minutes.
• Ladle into warmed soup bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro sprigs.

MOROCCAN CHICKEN THIGHS WITH CHICKPEAS AND RAISINS

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan (I use my electric frypan for this) heat oil over medium heat.
• Season the chicken with salt and pepper the brown well on both sides; transfer to a plate.
• Add in onions and garlic; saute for about 5 minutes, then add in cumin, turmeric, paprika and cinnamon; cook stirring with a wooden spoon for about 1 minute.
• Stir in broth, honey, lemon zest and flour; stir to combine.
• Then add in the browned chicken; simmer covered for about 15 minutes.
• After 15 minutes of cooking add in the raisins and continue to cook (UNCOVERED) until the chicken is completely cooked through (about 15-20 minutes).
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Remove the chicken to plate/s.
• Add in the chickpeas and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Pour the sauce over the chicken and serve with cooked rice.

GINGER CHICKEN WITH CHICKPEAS (MOROCCAN TAGINE)

Steps:

• Cover dried chick-peas with water & soak overnight. You can do this in advance & then freeze the chick-peas. When ready to use take out of the freezer & thaw.
• Blend salt, ginger, pepper, garlic, oil, & lemon juice in a bowl. Take a skewer (preferably) or sharp knife & poke several holes into the chicken. Then dip the chicken into the mixture so that all sides are covered. Place chicken into a glass & cover with the remaining mixture. Let it marinate for at least 2 hours.
• Drain the soaked chick-peas or thaw the ones already prepared. Place chick-peas, 1/2 tsp salt, & fresh water into a sauce pan or pressure cooker & cover with lid. If using a pan, cook chick-peas for 45 minutes. If using a pressure cooker, cook for 15 minutes (after it starts to hiss).
• Drain chick-peas & submerge in a bowl of cold water. Gently rub the chick-peas to remove their skins. Immediately remove skinned peas from the water & place into another bowl.
• Place 3 cups of water, chicken & any juices in the bowl into the large pot or pressure cooker. Add salt, turmeric, ginger, parsley, 2 cloves garlic, cinnamon stick, & butter. If using a pot bring to boil, reduce heat, cover, & simmer for 1 hour, turning the chicken frequently in the sauce. If using a pressure cooker, cover & cook for 8 minutes (after it starts to hiss).
• Remove chicken, place back in the glass bowl & cover to stay warm. Add onions & cooked chick-peas to the pot. Bring to a rolling boil & cook until the onions are very tender & the sauce has reduced to about 2 cups. Mix cornstarch & a little water to make a thin paste, add to sauce to thicken. After the sauce has thicken some return chicken back into the pot to reheat.
• To serve, place chicken into a deep dish & cover with sauce.

MOROCCAN CHICKEN WITH CHICKPEAS AND APRICOTS

Steps:

• Combine spices in small bowl and set aside.
• Mince 1 strip lemon zest; combine with 1 teaspoon minced garlic and mince together until reduced to fine paste; set aside.
• Season both sides of chicken pieces liberally with salt and pepper.
• Heat oil in large heavy--bottomed Dutch oven over medium-high heat until beginning to smoke.
• Brown chicken pieces skin side down in single layer until deep golden, about 5 minutes; turn chicken pieces and brown on second side, about 4 minutes more.
• Transfer chicken to large plate; when cool enough to handle, peel off skin and discard.
• Pour off and discard all but 1 tablespoon fat from pot.
• Add onion and 2 remaining lemon zest strips to pot and cook, stirring 5 to 7 minutes
• Add remaining 4 teaspoons garlic and cook, stirring,about 30 seconds.
• Add spices and cook, stirring constantly,45 seconds to 1 minute.
• Stir in broth and honey, scraping bottom of pot with wooden spoon to loosen browned bits.
• Add thighs and drumsticks, reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add carrots, apricots, and breast pieces to pot, arranging breast pieces in single layer on top of carrots.
• Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 10 to 15 minutes.
• Transfer chicken to plate or bowl and tent with foil.
• Add chickpeas to pot; increase heat to medium-high and simmer 4 to 6 minutes.
• Return chicken to pot and add garlic-zest mixture, cilantro, and lemon juice; stir to combine and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
• Serve immediately.