Welcome to a culinary journey through the vibrant flavors of Tunisia with tajine malsouka, a delightful chicken tagine encased in a crispy phyllo pastry. This iconic dish, often served at special occasions and family gatherings, combines the savory richness of chicken and vegetables with the aromatic spices of North African cuisine. Inside this article, you'll find two variations of tajine malsouka recipes, each offering unique flavors and textures. Embark on a sensory adventure as we explore the secrets behind this beloved Tunisian dish, unravelling its history, ingredients, and cooking techniques. Whether you prefer the traditional tajine malsouka with its succulent chicken and flavorful broth or the vegetarian version bursting with roasted vegetables, these recipes promise an explosion of taste and aroma that will transport you to the heart of Tunisia. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and create a memorable dining experience with these culinary gems.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
CHICKEN TAGINE
Chicken tagine is a classic Moroccan dish made in a special pot called a tagine and usually features preserved lemons and olives. This recipe uses lots of the warm spices and harissa that are authentic to Morocco, but it is cooked in a skillet. The substitution of fresh lemons makes this practical for a weeknight without a trip to the market or online.
Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 1h
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Add the oil to a large pan and heat over medium-high. When the oil is hot, add the chicken, skin-side down, and cook until the skins are brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate.
- Add the onions, garlic, cinnamon, cumin, coriander, ginger and turmeric and cook just until the onions start to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the lemon slices, lemon juice, harissa, chicken broth and olives, then stir to combine. Nestle the chicken back into the pan, skin-side up.
- Place in the oven, uncovered, and cook until the chicken is cooked through, 25 to 30 minutes.
- Season to taste. Scatter the cilantro and almonds over the top. Serve over the couscous.
TAJINE MALSOUKA -- TUNISIAN CHICKEN 'TAGINE' PHYLLO PIE
When most people think of a tagine, they think of a thick, saucy, often fruity dish. In Tunisia though, that couldn't be further from the truth. This Tunisian masterpiece is a lot of work but is perfect for dinner parties & special occasions. It is a little like Moroccan Pastilla but without all the icing sugar! For greatest effect, serve this warm on a rimless cake stand!
Provided by Um Safia
Categories Savory Pies
Time 2h15m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 565.1, Fat 39.6, SaturatedFat 15, Cholesterol 320.6, Sodium 266.7, Carbohydrate 7.1, Fiber 0.8, Sugar 2.8, Protein 43.1
MOROCCAN CHICKEN TAJINE
Steps:
- In a large bowl, mix the garlic, cumin, ginger, paprika, salt and pepper, 1/2 cup grated onion, and the oil.
- Rinse the preserved lemons, and remove the pulp. RESERVE the lemon peel for later use.
- Add the lemon pulp to the mixing bowl. Add the chicken. Mix everything together and place in a large plastic bag to marinate overnight in the refrigerator. (Twenty-four hours really gives the chicken the best flavor.)
- In a large Dutch oven or casserole, place the chicken and marinade; add the stems of the parsley and cilantro, the rest of the grated onion, the powdered saffron and 1 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat, turn down to a simmer and cook, partially covered, for 30 minutes.
- Remove the cover, stir the chicken and continue to simmer for another 15 minutes or until the chicken is tender.
- Remove the chicken to a serving dish and cover with foil to keep warm. Keep sauce on stove and begin to reduce.
- Slice the preserved lemon peel into thin slices and add to the sauce along with the olives, parsley and cilantro. Reduce until the sauce is just a little thick. This shouldn't take more than 5 minutes at most.
- Uncover the chicken and remove the skin from the chicken. (It doesn't look pretty and who needs the extra fat.) Pour sauce over chicken and serve.
CHICKEN TAGINE WITH OLIVES AND PRESERVED LEMONS
This rich and fragrant chicken stew is laden with complex flavors and spices reminiscent of the sort you might encounter in a mountainside cafe in Morocco. Save yourself the cost of a plane ticket, however, and make this at home. First, rub the chicken with a redolent combination of garlic, saffron, ground ginger, paprika, cumin, turmeric and black pepper, then pop it into the refrigerator for 3 to 4 hours to marinate. Once that's done, brown the chicken parts, and remove from the pan, making room for a pile of sliced onions that you'll sauté until golden brown. Nestle a cinnamon stick into the tangle of onions, pile the chicken parts on top and scatter with slices of preserved lemons and olives, a combination of green and kalamata. Add a bit of chicken stock and lemon juice, then cook over low heat until the chicken is cooked through, and your house smells amazing.
Provided by Florence Fabricant
Categories dinner, main course
Time 1h
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Mix garlic, saffron, ginger, paprika, cumin and turmeric together. If not using kosher chicken, add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add pepper to taste. Rub chicken with mixture, cover, refrigerate and marinate 3 to 4 hours.
- Heat oil in heavy skillet. Add chicken, and brown on all sides. Remove to platter. Add onions to skillet, and cook over medium-low heat about 15 minutes, until lightly browned. Transfer to tagine, if you are using one, or leave in skillet. Add cinnamon stick.
- Put chicken on onions. Scatter with olives. Quarter the lemons, remove pulp and cut skin in strips. Scatter over chicken. Mix stock and lemon juice. Pour over chicken.
- Cover tagine or skillet. Place over low heat, and cook about 30 minutes, until chicken is done. Scatter parsley on top, and serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 628, UnsaturatedFat 29 grams, Carbohydrate 12 grams, Fat 44 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 46 grams, SaturatedFat 11 grams, Sodium 874 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams
TUNISIAN CHICKEN
Make and share this Tunisian Chicken recipe from Food.com.
Provided by English_Rose
Categories Curries
Time 50m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
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.
Tips:
- To save time, use store-bought phyllo dough. Look for it in the freezer section of most grocery stores.
- If you don't have a tagine, you can use a large skillet or Dutch oven. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- For a vegetarian version of this dish, omit the chicken and add extra vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, or zucchini.
- Serve tajine malsouka with a side of couscous, rice, or pita bread.
Conclusion:
Tajine malsouka is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover chicken. The combination of chicken, vegetables, and spices is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you are looking for a new and exciting dish to try, give tajine malsouka a try.
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