Chicken Tajine with couscous

When you think of Moroccan, Algerian or Tunisian food , the term tajine always pops up. Tagine is simply a heavy clay deep oven dish that we call "Tagen" in Egypt. Like this modern one I used in making the Egyptian pumpkin  recipe.

So let's make a simple version without the need of the real tajine 🙂 I know most of you do not have it.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbs of olive oil.
• 3 boneless chicken breasts cut in think stripes - use whatever handy bone in or boneless, breasts or thighs whatever works best for you and your family.
• 1 medium onion, diced.
• 2 garlic cloves, minced.
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon.
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom.
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves.
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper.
• salt to taste.
• 1/2 cup to 1 cup - according to your liking- dried cranberry/raisins.
• 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts. I've used a mixture of pine nuts and almonds.
• a bag of stir fry vegetables.
• 1 1/2 cups of couscous.

To start:

• In a heavy skillet, heat the oil then saute half the onions and garlic, add the chicken and cook until golden brown.
• Take the chicken out, then add the remaining half of the onions and garlic, saute, add the salt,pepper,cinnamon,cardamom, cranberry and cloves, mix well.
• Add your vegetables , reduce heat then return the chicken again. Cover and simmer until it is done.
• Prepare your couscous according to package directions. Fluff with fork and mound on a platter.
• Top with the vegetable-chicken mix and garnish with nuts.

Very healthy, very easy, very elegant and above all very tasty 🙂 . Enjoy.