Moroccan Chicken And Prune Tagine Food

CHICKEN TAGINE WITH PRUNES AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Dry chicken and season with salt and pepper. Heat a large, heavy skillet, preferably cast iron, to very hot. Add chicken (in batches if necessary) skin side down, and sear until skin is golden brown. Remove chicken when browned (do not turn it) and set aside.
• Discard all but a thin film of fat from the pan. Add onion and garlic and sauté on low until soft. Stir in paprika and cumin, cook about a minute and then add prunes, olives, stock and butter. Cook, stirring, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer contents of pan to a 12- to 14-inch tagine, sauté pan or casserole. Place chicken on top, skin side up.
• Cover and cook on medium-low heat about 40 minutes, until chicken is cooked through. Serve immediately or set aside to be reheated. To serve, scatter lemon zest and mint over the chicken, squeeze juice of the lemon on top and bring tagine to the table covered.

CHICKEN LEG TAGINE WITH PRUNES, APRICOTS AND ROASTED ALMONDS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix half of the onion, half of the garlic, half of the coriander and half of the parsley. Add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, the lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of the ginger, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and the turmeric and season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Rub the chicken legs with the mixture to coat.
• Cover the bowl with cling film and leave to marinade for 2-3 hours, or, for best results, overnight in the fridge.
• Preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan. Fry the chicken on both sides until slightly brown and set aside.
• Put the remaining olive oil, onion, garlic and 1 teaspoon of ginger into a tagine or into an ovenproof pot with a lid. Stir the mixture and place the chicken on top.
• Heat the saffron in a dry pan and sprinkle it over the chicken. Sprinkle some freshly ground black pepper and 2 teaspoon cinnamon over the chicken and add a splash of water. Crumble the stock cube into the water and sprinkle with the remaining fresh parsley and coriander.
• Bake in the oven with the lid on for about 1 hour, or until tender.
• In a saucepan, cover the dried prunes with water and bring to the boil. Add half of the sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Turn down the heat and let the prunes simmer until caramelised.
• In another saucepan, cover the apricots with water and bring to the boil. Add the rest of the sugar and the rest of the cinnamon. Turn down the heat and let the apricots simmer until caramelised.
• Check the tagine regularly, making sure that the sauce doesn't dry.
• To serve, garnish the tagine with the caramelised prunes and apricots and the toasted almonds.

MOROCCAN CHICKEN (WITH PRUNES)

Steps:

• Sprinkle half the spice blend over the chicken. Heat the oil and 20g of the butter in a large saucepan or deep-sided frying pan over medium heat.
• Cook the chicken in two batches for 5 minutes,or until evenly browned. Remove from the pan, then add the onion and cinnamon stick and cook for 2-3 minutres before adding the garlic.
• Return the chicken to the pan and add the lemon juice and the remaining spice blend. Season, then cook, covered for 5 minutes.
• Add the stock and prunes to the pan and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, for 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked and the liquid has reduced to a sauce. Before serving, stir 20g of the butter into the sauce.
• About 10 minutes before the chicken is ready, place the couscous in a heatproof bowl, add 1 1/2 cups of the boiling water and stand for 3-5 minutes. Stir in the remaining butter and fluff with a fork until the butter has melted and the grains separate. Serve with the chicken.

SPICY MOROCCAN CHICKEN WITH APRICOTS AND PRUNES (LOW FAT)

Steps:

• In the morning (or the night before), combine first 13 ingredients in ungreased 2 quart shallow casserole.
• Add chicken. Turn to coat. Cover. Chill for at least 8 hours or overnight. Stir.
• Bake chicken, uncovered, in 400 degree F oven for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is no longer pink.

MOROCCAN CHICKEN WITH KUMQUATS AND PRUNES

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper, add to skillet and brown, about 7 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to plate. Pour off all but thin film of fat from skillet. Add onions, reduce heat to medium and sauté until very tender and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Add squash and stir 2 minutes. Add cinnamon, cumin and saffron and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add chicken stock and bring to boil, scraping up browned bits. Add chicken with any drippings on plate, kumquats, pitted prunes and honey.
• Cover skillet and simmer until chicken is cooked through, turning occasionally, about 30 minutes. Uncover and boil until liquid thickens to sauce consistency if necessary. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm covered over medium heat.)
• Mound rice or couscous on plates. Spoon chicken and sauce over. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.

SPICED MOROCCAN CHICKEN WITH ONIONS AND PRUNES

Steps:

• Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken; sauté until brown and just cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Using tongs, transfer chicken to plate. Add onions and garlic to same skillet. Sauté until onions begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Mix in flour, ginger, cinnamon and cumin; stir 1 minute. Gradually whisk in broth. Add prunes, lemon juice and honey. Boil until sauce thickens enough to coat spoon, whisking occasionally, about 8 minutes. Return chicken to skillet. Simmer until heated through, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Transfer chicken and sauce to platter. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.