Ingredients
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1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
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1 large chicken, cut into eight pieces
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fine sea salt
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1 teaspoon fresh ground white pepper
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1 teaspoon ground coriander
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1 teaspoon turmeric
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1 teaspoon ground cumin
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1 teaspoon Madras curry powder
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1 large onion, thinly sliced
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1 head garlic, cloves peeled and thinly sliced
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1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger
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2 tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped
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4 prunes, quartered and stones removed
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1 1/2 cups chicken stock or 1 1/2 cups water
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2 tablespoons almonds, slivered, toasted
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2 cups couscous, cooked
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2 tablespoons preserved lemons, rind only, flesh discarded, finely chopped
Instructions
- Place a tagine (or large heavy-bottomed casserole) at least 10 inches in diameter over high heat, and add the oil.
- Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper.
- When the oil is hot, place the chicken pieces skin-side-down in the pot.
- When the oil starts to sizzle, reduce the heat to medium.
- Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon each of the coriander, cumin, turmeric, and curry powder (if using) over the chicken.
- Cook until the chicken is golden brown, about 15 minutes (Check regularly to make sure that the chicken is not sticking to the pan).
- Spread the onion, garlic, ginger, and tomatoes on a cutting board, and season generously with the salt and pepper.
- Add them to the tagine, covering the chicken.
- Sprinkle with the remaining coriander, cumin, turmeric, and curry powder.
- Add the lemon rind and chicken stock, cover, and cook for 15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the plums and cook for a further 15 minutes or until chicken is tender (It may take a little longer if you’re using a tagine).
- To serve, place about 1/2 cup of couscous on each plate, top with a few pieces of chicken, and spoon some cooking liquid and vegetables over each plate.
- Garnish with almond slivers.