Moroccan Chicken Tagine With Honey and Apricots

Mirj's Note:

This is another one of those amazing recipes that I get from my upstairs neighbor. I have to actually watch her cook so I can get approximate measurements. In my next life, I want to be Moroccan!

• Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 6 lbs chicken pieces
• 1 large yellow onion
• 1 cup margarine (1 cup)
• ½ teaspoon turmeric
• salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 lb dried apricots or 1 lb prune
• 8 tablespoons honey
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ cup peeled almonds
• 1 tablespoon sesame seed
• oil

Directions:

1. In a large pot, melt the margarine.
2. Fry the chopped onions until soft, then add the chicken, salt, pepper, turmeric and cinnamon sticks.
3. Don't worry, no one will make you eat a cinnamon stick unless you really want to.
4. Add enough water to cover the chicken, about two cups.
5. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer until the chicken is done, adding water if necessary.
6. Remove the chicken pieces.
7. Add the apricots and simmer for about fifteen minutes.
8. Add the ground cinnamon and the honey, stir and cook until the sauce has a honey-like consistency.
9. Add more honey if necessary.
10. When the sauce is almost ready, saute the almonds in oil.
11. Drain most of the oil from the pan, and toast the sesame seeds.
12. Return the chicken to the pot and reheat.
13. Place the chicken on a serving tray, pour the sauce on top of it and top with the almonds and the sesame seeds.
14. Serve with couscous (except on Passover).

Reviews

[JustJanS]

I personally loved this, but Tomoko (Japanese student living with us) couldn't come at the fruit and sweet sauce. Russell felt it was over sweet but OK. This was very easy to make, but I couldn't put one cup of margarine in it! Don't tell your neighbour Mirj, but I reduced that to 2 tablespoons! Also salt is mentioned in the directions, but not in the ingredients. I find you need quite a bit to balance out the sweetness, so added a generous teaspoon.

[jc760]

Loved this! I added just a bit of cayenne pepper for balance, and browned the chicken first and then removed the skin.

[lenio]

Excellent, simple,so tasty!Added raisins because my apricots were not enough, and it turned out great.Thanks!