Moroccanchickenandbarleypilaf Recipes

MOROCCAN CHICKEN AND BARLEY + VIDEO

Steps:

• Combine the spice rub ingredients in a small bowl and rub the chicken thighs on both sides with half of the spice mixture.

MOROCCAN CHICKEN WITH SHREDDED CABBAGE AND TAHINI SAUCE ON PITA

Steps:

• Wash and pat the chicken dry. Combine the cumin, coriander, ginger, paprika and cinnamon in a large plastic bag. Season the spice blend with pepper and a little salt (remember the olives will be salty so go easy). Add the chicken pieces to the bag and toss to coat evenly. Set aside in the refrigerator to marinate for 1 hour.
• Set a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and coat with olive oil. Brown the chicken in two batches, and then transfer to a platter. Add a little more oil to the pot and cook the garlic and onions until browned and translucent. Add the chicken back to the pot along with the lemon peel, thyme, bay leaf and saffron if using. Add the chicken broth, bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Stir the chicken pieces, and add the olives and dates. Cover and cook until the chicken is very tender, 30 minutes longer. Remove the thyme and bay leaf before serving.
• Serve the chicken with the pan sauce on a bed of the finely shredded cabbage on top of a whole toasted pita (cut in wedges, but still set on plate as a whole round pita, like a tostada). Garnish with the pistachios and chopped cilantro if using. Drizzle with the Tahini Sauce. Pair with a pinot grigio.
• Combine the yogurt, tahini, honey, lemon juice and garlic in a food processor, or mix together well in a large bowl until well combined and completely smooth. Thin with water as desired. Season with salt and pepper.

ROAST CHICKEN & BARLEY PILAF

Steps:

• Roast chicken: heat oven to 450°F.
• Gently lift skin from breast and legs and season with salt and pepper: place some sliced garlic and fresh herbs under skin. Place remaining garlic and herbs in the cavity of the chicken.
• Place chicken on a rack in a large roasting pan. Pour chicken broth into the bottom of the pan. roast for 50 to 60 minutes.
• Make Barley Pilaf: Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, over medium heat oil. Add onion, carrot and mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes. Add broth, barley, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Reduce heat to medium, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until tender. Stirring occasionally. Add a few tablespoons water if mixture becomes too dry.
• Allow chicken to rest for 10 minutes. Remove skin, slice and serve with pilaf.

MOROCCAN CHICKEN PILAF

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Put the saffron in a small bowl with 1 tbsp hot water. Allow to soak for at least 10 minutes.
• While saffron is soaking, using as little olive oil as possible, brown the chicken 2 minutes per side in appropriate casserole dish (see note in description). Remove chicken and set aside.
• Add onion and peppers to casserole dish and cook 4 minutes, stirring regularly. Add more olive oil if required.
• Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, cumin, and coriander. Cook for 30 seconds. Remove from heat.
• Add rice and stir to coat each grain in a thin layer of oil. Place chicken on top of rice.
• Combine saffron liquid and chicken stock and stir. Pour the combined liquid over chicken and rice, return to heat, and bring to a boil.
• Place lid on casserole dish and bake 50 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand several minutes with the lid on.
• Stir in olives and serve.

MOROCCAN CHICKEN AND BARLEY PILAF

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, sauté onion and carrots in olive oil over medium heat for about 5-10 minutes until onion begins to soften.
• Add garlic, cinnamon, cumin, and barley; stir to coat.
• Add chicken broth, sherry, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, cover pan, and reduce heat to simmer for about 40-45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until liquid is absorbed.
• When barley is nearly done, heat butter in skillet. Add chicken, cherry tomatoes, apples, pecans, raisins, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Sauté 5 minutes until heated through.
• Mix with barley.
• Serve with lemon wedges.