Tunisian Baked Chicken 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-STYLE CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Coat a 9 x 13-inch roasting pan with nonstick cooking spray.
• Combine all the ingredients for the marinade (pepper through white wine) and mix thoroughly.
• Place 1/3 of the marinade in prepared roasting pan. Add the chicken on top of the marinade then cover with the remaining marinade mixture.
• Cover and allow to marinate for at least 60 minutes (all day in the refrigerator is better).
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Uncover the pan and transfer to oven.
• Bake 45 minutes, turning occasionally to brown the chicken all over.
• Transfer the chicken pieces to a serving plate. Garnish with parsley lemon slices and green olives.
• Serve with hot, cooked rice or cooked couscous.

TUNISIAN CHICKEN WITH ONIONS, PEAS, AND PARSLEY

Steps:

• Season the chicken with salt and pepper to taste. Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or other heavy sauté pan. Add the chicken pieces, sautéing just to brown the skin on both sides. Remove the chicken pieces, and drain on paper towels.
• Stir the onions, garlic, and honey into the same pan. Sauté over medium heat until the onions are almost caramelized. This may take about 20 minutes.
• Return the chicken pieces to the pan, skin side up, and sprinkle on 1/4 teaspoon more pepper, the cinnamon, and the parsley, stirring to incorporate. Add the lemon juice and the tomatoes. Pour in chicken broth, enough just to cover the chicken, and stir in the tomato paste. Simmer the chicken, covered, for about 40 minutes, then stir in the peas. Cook for 5 minutes, or until the peas are done. Taste, adjust the seasonings, and serve with rice or wheat berries (see page 266).