Tajine Malsouka Tunisian Chicken Tagine Phyllo Pie Recipes

TAJINE MALSOUKA -- TUNISIAN CHICKEN 'TAGINE' PHYLLO PIE

Steps:

• In a frying pan, fry the onion in a little of the vegetable oil for a few minutes until it is softened. Add the chicken & the water, cover then cook for 45 minutes in a medium heat or until the chicken is cooken through, turning the thighs from time to time.
• Preheat oven to 190c / 375f/ GM5.
• Discard the chicken skin, remove the meat from the bones & place the pieces in a bowl.
• Pour the saffron or ground nutmeg paste over the chicken, then stir in the grated cheese and 2-3 tbsp of water to make an 'unctous mixture'. Stir in the beaten eggs & season with the salt & pepper to taste.
• Generously oil an ovenproof pie or quiche dish about the same zie as the rounds of phyllo. Overlap 5 sheets so that at least 1/3 of the phyllo is allowed to hang over the sides of the dish, remembering to lightly brush each sheet with the vegetable oil. Place a final 6th piece of phyllo over the top of the others - this one should be central so that it reinforces the base a little.
• Pour in most of the chicken mixture, followed by a layer of sliced ricotta then a final layer of the chicken.
• Fold the overhanging phyllo pastry over the top so that is wrapped but not too tight. Stick the edges together using a pastry brush & the glaze. Place another sheet of phyllo on top, tucking the edges into the dish, followed by 4 more sheets of phyllo, being sure to brush them with the glaze as you go. Finish by brushing more g;ase on the top.
• Place the tagine on a low shelf in the oven for around 20-25 minutes. The pastry should be crisp & deep golden when the dish is ready.
• Serve hot, on a flat dish & cut into slices as you would a cake.

TUNISIAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat a non-stick frying pan. Dry fry the onion for 2-3 minutes until soft.
• Add the chicken and garlic and cook briskly, turning the chicken regularly to seal on all sides.
• Add the spices with 2-3 tbs of broth and sprinkle the flour over. Mix well, 'cooking out' the flour for 1 minute.
• Gradually mix in the remaining broth. Add the oregano, tomatoes, orange peel and juice.
• Cover and simmer gently for 20 minutes.
• Season to taste and serve.

TUNISIAN BAKED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Wash and pat chicken dry. Combine flour, salt and pepper on wax paper. Turn chicken into flour mixture, coat evenly. Shake off excess.
• Sauté chicken, a few pieces at a time, in oil in a large skillet. Remove the pieces to a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish as they brown, arranging them in a single layer.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Add onion, garlic, cumin, paprika and cayenne to skillet. Sauté until onion is slightly softened.
• Stir in chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to a boil and pour over chicken.
• Arrange lemon slices on top. Cover. Bake in preheated oven 40 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with olives.
• Bake, uncovered, 5 minutes.
• Sprinkle with parsley and serve.