Chicken Koftas With Lime Couscous Recipes

CHICKEN KOFTAS WITH LIME COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Make the couscous: In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring the stock, lime juice, olive oil, red-pepper flakes and 1 teaspoon salt to a rolling boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the couscous. Cover with a lid and let sit for 10 minutes.
• As the couscous sits, prepare the koftas: Place the ground chicken, shallots, egg, parsley, serrano, garlic, ginger, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the mixture resembles a coarse paste.
• Heat 2 to 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large (12-inch) cast-iron skillet or nonstick pan over medium-low. Grease your hands with a little oil and divide and shape the ground chicken mixture into 12 balls. Fry them in the hot oil, in batches if necessary, until golden brown on all sides and the internal temperature reads 165 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, about 8 to 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the koftas to a tray or plate lined with paper towels.
• Uncover the couscous, fluff the mixture with a fork and break up any lumps. Transfer the couscous to a large mixing bowl. Fold in the lime zest, parsley, cherries and pine nuts, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Fold in the koftas and serve immediately with the lime wedges.

CHICKEN KOFTAS WITH CUCUMBERS AND YOGURT

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine chicken, onion, and parsley; season with salt and pepper. Using your hands, mix until well combined. Form mixture into 8 oval patties.
• In a medium bowl, toss together cucumber and yogurt; season with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Cook patties until browned on all sides and cooked through, 12 minutes. Divide patties and tomatoes among pitas. Top with cucumber-yogurt sauce and mint. Fold to enclose and serve.

YVONNE MAFFEI'S ROAST CHICKEN WITH COUSCOUS, DATES AND BUTTERED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. In a large ovenproof dish or pot with a tight lid, combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, the lemon juice, the ginger, the pepper and 1 teaspoon salt. Add the chicken and rub it around in the mixture until evenly coated. Turn chicken breast side down and roast, uncovered, for 50 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine couscous, 2 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Set aside for 5 to 15 minutes to soak.
• In a small skillet, melt the butter. Add almonds and cook, stirring constantly, just until toasted and golden; adjust heat so almonds and butter do not scorch. Turn off heat and stir in dates.
• Add almond-date mixture to couscous, along with any butter left in pan, and mix, fluffing the grains with a fork. Mix in 2 tablespoons olive oil, the sugar, the cinnamon and the orange blossom water (if using).
• Drizzle or paint honey over top of chicken (leave chicken breast-side down in pot). Add couscous mixture to the pot, arranging it around the chicken. Cover tightly with a lid or foil and return to the oven for 30 minutes more.
• Remove from the oven. When cool enough to handle, remove chicken and carve into serving pieces. Stir and fluff couscous, scraping up any chicken skin stuck to bottom of pan, and place chicken pieces back on top of couscous. Sprinkle with chopped herbs and serve immediately.

CHICKEN KOFTA WITH TABOULEH

Steps:

• Heat grill pan to medium heat.
• Process onion in food processor until finely chopped. Add chicken, dry seasonings, half the cheese and 1/4 cup mint; process just until blended.
• Divide chicken mixture into 8 portions; shape each into 6-inch log on each of 8 wooden skewers, firmly pressing chicken mixture into skewers to secure.
• Grill 12 to 15 min. or until done (165°F) and evenly browned on all sides, turning occasionally. Meanwhile, cook couscous as directed on package, omitting salt.
• Chop remaining mint. Place 1/4 cup mint in medium bowl. Add tomatoes, 1/2 cup cucumbers, dressing and couscous; mix lightly. Spoon onto platter; top with remaining cheese and chicken skewers.
• Mix remaining chopped mint with sour cream and remaining cucumbers. Serve with couscous mixture.