Tag: Western Asian
Moghrabieh
Moghrabieh
Moghrabieh is a Lebanese chicken and bean stew. Moghrabieh also refers to the type of large couscous pearls that the stew is served over. Preparing this comforting dish is quite simple. Chicken thighs are sear with onions, then seasoned and simmered for 15 minutes. Garbanzo beans are added and simmered for an additional 15 minutes. The chicken is then taken off the bone and added back into the pot. All of that is ladled over the giant couscous pearls.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken thighs
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 large onion diced
- 1 tsp caraway seeds
- 1 tsp 7 spice
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 6 cups water
- 2 cans garbanzo beans
- couscous for serving
Garnish
- parsley chopped
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a Dutch oven over medium high heat. Season the thighs with salt and pepper and place face down in the pot. Cover with the onions. Sear for 5 minutes.
- Flip the chicken and sear for another 5 minutes. Add in the 7 spice, caraway seeds, bay leaves, and cinnamon stick.
- Pour in the water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add in the garbanzo beans. Continue simmering for 15 minutes.
- Pull the chicken from the pot. Shred the chicken.
- Add the chicken back into the pot and simmer for 5 more minutes.
Shish Tawook
Shish Tawook
Shish tawook is a popular Lebanese skewered chicken that can be grilled or broiled. The chicken breasts pieces are marinated in yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and a bunch of standard spices. Both the yogurt and lemon juice act as a tenderizer, so allowing the chicken to marinate for at least 8 hours gives the shish tawook optimal flavor and tenderness. Serve the chicken with pita bread and fattoush salad.
Equipment
- metal skewers
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 12” cubes
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1 lemon juiced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 3/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Mix together all of the marinade ingredients.
- Marinate the chicken for at least 8 hours, preferably overnight.
- Turn on your oven’s broiler. Place the chicken pieces on metal skewers on a rack on a baking sheet lined in foil.
- Broil the chicken for 6-7 minutes a side.
Lebanese 7 Spice
Lebanese 7 Spice
In the Arabic world, the word “baharat” translates to spices. Lebanese 7 spice is referred to as baharat, as the word is used interchangeably. The spice blend consists of allspice, black pepper, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, cloves, and nutmeg. Other variations of the spice can include cardamom, paprika, ginger, and ground fenugreek seeds. 7 spice is used in numerous dishes such as beef kafta, stuffed grape leaves, rices, stews, and much more.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp allspice
- 1 tbsp ground coriander
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Mix all of the spices together.
