The tagine is a simple one pot method, popular in northern Africa. Taking only a few minutes to prepare, it enables you to go off and do something else while it sits in the oven. When you come back, a mouth-watering meal awaits you.
Preparation time: 10 mins
Cooking time: 90 mins
Serves: 4–8
Ingredients
4 onions
2 lemons
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon five spice
A few small pieces
cinnamon barke
Pinch saffron
Handful fresh parsley, chopped
Handful fresh coriander, chopped
8 pieces chicken (wings or legs)
Handful green olives
Method
Slice the onions in rings and the lemons into eighths. Lay half of them in an ovenproof dish and sit 4 of the chicken pieces on top. Sprinkle with half the herbs and spices. Repeat the process to make a two-layered dish. Cover the dish and cook in the oven for 1 1/2 hours at 375/Gas Mark 5. Towards the end scatter the olives on top.
Chicken warms the body and strengthens the Qi and Blood. The herbs and spices add warmth and movement, as does the onion. The lemon provides a counterbalance and helps the absorption of nutrients from the chicken.