Djedj Mechoui Algerian Poulet Rotiroast Chicken Recipes

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.

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.

CHTIT'HA DJEDJ (ALGERIAN CHICKEN IN SAUCE)

Steps:

• Finely chop onion and fry gently in 2tbs oil in large saucepan until starting to soften. Add the chicken and brown for 10 mins, add garlic, spices, salt, tomato puree and Harissa and cook for another 2 minutes.
• Add stock, stir and bring to boil.
• Simmer for 30 mins or until chicken is cooked and add the chickpeas simmering for another 10 mins until the sauce has thickened.

LEMON AND THYME ROAST CHICKEN WITH AN ALGERIAN TWIST.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200c. Place chicken in roasting tin.
• Mix garlic, butter, salt and spices. Make a pocket between the skin and the flesh of the chicken and rub the butter mix between and on the skin.
• Squeeze the lemon juice on the skin and then stuff the chicken with the lemon quarters along with thyme.
• Season with plenty of salt and pepper and roast for 80 - 90mins.

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.