Moroccan Chicken in Pastry Leaves

This dish has an interesting taste to it, spicy & sweet at the same time. The prep time does not include marinating time.

• Ready In: 1 hr 25 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• Chermoula

• 1  Spanish onion, grated
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons black pepper
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1⁄2 teaspoon powdered saffron
• 2  tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped
• 1  tablespoon fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• 3  tablespoons olive oil
• 2  tablespoons lemon juice
• 2  tablespoons water

• Remaining Ingredients

• 2 -3  lbs skinless chicken pieces
•  chicken giblets (optional)
• 1 1⁄2 cups water
• 1⁄2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1  teaspoon sugar
• 1  teaspoon cinnamon
• 10  phyllo pastry sheets

Directions

1. Combine all the ingredients for the chermoula in a bowl then pour over the chicken pieces & giblets. Rub in well and leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours (over night is better).
2. Place the chicken pieces, giblets, & chermoula into a large tagine (or stove-top & oven-proof casserole). Add the water & turmeric, cover then simmer for 1 hour over medium-low heat, stirring halfway through. Transfer the chicken, giblets, & sauce to a large bowl & remove any loose bones.
3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees then mix the cinnamon & sugar together to be used later.
4. Pour 2 small ladles of juice from the bowl into the tagine (or oven-proof casserole dish). Cover the bottom of the dish with 3 pastry leaves then sprinkle with 1/2 tsp of the cinnamon mixture. Layer with 2 more pastry leaves, 1 ladle of juice, and 1/2 tsp of cinnamon mixture.
5. Arrange the chicken pieces on top of the pastries then cover with another 2 leaves. Moisten with 2 more small ladles of juice then pat the pastry down around the chicken pieces with a wooden spoon.
6. Sprinkle another 1/2 tsp of cinnamon mixture on that layer & cover with the remaining 3 sheets. Pat down as above, pour the remaining juice over the dish & sprinkle on the last of the cinnamon mixture.
7. Cook in the oven for 20 minutes, until the chicken is tender, then serve hot from the oven.