Tajine Msir Zeetoon Moroccan Chicken With Lemons Recipes

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan.
• Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and add them to the pan along with the onions, ginger, cinnamon and saffron.
• Cook over high heat, turning the chicken occasionally, until browned all over, about 10 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, garlic, parsley, cilantro and 2 cups of water and bring to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is tender, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, rinse the preserved lemons under running water; pat dry.
• Cut the lemons into quarters.
• Discard the pulp from one of the lemons and finely chop the peel.
• Reserve the quarters for garnish.
• Transfer the chicken to a large plate.
• Strain the cooking liquid and return it to the casserole.
• Boil over high heat until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
• Add the chopped preserved lemons and the olives and simmer over moderate heat for 2 minutes.
• Add the chicken pieces and simmer until heated through.
• Arrange the chicken pieces on a serving dish.
• Pour the sauce on top and garnish with the lemon quarters.

Steps:

• Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wide, shallow casserole dish or ovenproof pan. Season the chicken and cook, skin-side down, for 8-10 mins, until crispy. Flip over and cook for another 5 mins. Transfer to a plate. Heat oven to 170C/150C fan/gas 3.
• Add the rest of the oil and the onion to the pan. Stir for a few mins, then add the garlic and Moroccan spice mix. Stir, scraping any bits of onions and chicken from the bottom, until the spices smell fragrant. Add the preserved lemon, tomatoes, stock cube, honey, vinegar and 750ml water. Bring to the boil, then place the chicken on top. Cover with a lid or foil and transfer to the oven for 1 hr.
• Uncover, place the olives and lemon slices on top and drizzle the lemons with a little oil. Return to the oven for 20 mins, or until the sauce has reduced a little (you can do this on the hob if you're short on time). Check the seasoning, adding a squeeze of lemon, more honey or salt if you think it needs it. Scatter over the pomegranate seeds, feta and mint, and serve with couscous.

Steps:

• Chop the onion and garlic finely, using a food processor, (if avaiable). Add the next seven ingredients (olive oil, tomato paste, ground cumin, ground paprika, ground ginger, salt and lemon juice) and mix to a thick paste.
• Place the chicken in a shallow casserole dish and cover with paste mixture. Turn the chicken pieces, ensuring they are evenly coated with the mixture. Add the remaining lemon, cut lengthways into eighths, and the olives.
• If possible, allow to stand for 1-2 hours (or overnight in the fridge). Bake at 180oC for 1 hour, covered loosely for the first 30 minutes, then uncovered.
• Serve with plain rice or spicy pilaf.
• Sprinkle coriander once the dish has been served in single serving plates.
• Variations: For a less lemoney flavour use strips of lemon rind instead of lemon wedges. Replace lemon wedges with the skin of one preserved salted lemon, if availabe.

Steps:

• Chermoula Marinade: In a small bowl add saffron threads in water and allow to soak for a few minutes.
• In a food processor add all the 'Chermoula marinade' ingredients and combine until it forms a paste.
• Cover and allow 'Chermoula marinade' to stand for 30 minutes before using. (Chermoula marinade can be stored in the refrigerator for up to seven days).
• Wash and dry the chicken, then rub all over with half of the chermoula marinade and refrigerate overnight or for at least two hours.
• After marinating, cut tomato and onion into thin wedges and combine a little more chermoula marinade. Then spread the tomato and onion into the base of the tajine.
• Place the chicken pieces on top of tomato and onion mixture arranging them in the centre of the tajine.
• Coat potato wedges with the chermoula marinade and arrange the potatoes around chicken.
• Top the chicken with onion slices, then tomato slices and olives in between the potato wedges.
• Mix chopped coriander/cilantro with remaining chermoula marinade and water (you made add less water, it depends how much your tajine could hold). Pour mixture on top of tomatoes and onions.
• Top with preserved lemon wedges then cover tajine with lid. Cook on a very low gas heat for 45 minutes. Do not stir or lift the lid during the cooking process.
• Serve with suggested couscous.