Ingredients

  • 3 ½ pound chicken, whole
  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed (optional)
  • Salt
  • ½ teaspoon ginger
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Pinch of pulverized saffron or 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1 ½ teaspoons finely chopped garlic
  • ½ cup grated onion
  • ¼ cup finely chopped parsley
  • ¼ cup finely chopped fresh coriander
  • 3 tablespoons oil
  • 1 pound green olives packed in brine
  • 4 tablespoons lemon juice, or more to taste
  • Nutritional Information
    • Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

      1124 calories; 87 grams fat; 20 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 44 grams monounsaturated fat; 17 grams polyunsaturated fat; 7 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 1 gram sugars; 75 grams protein; 297 milligrams cholesterol; 2047 milligrams sodium

    • Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.

4 servings

Preparation

  1. Wash the chicken, then drain. The remainder of this step is optional; the North Africans do it to purify the chicken. Blend the garlic with one tablespoon salt to make a paste. Rub the paste into the cavity and the flesh of the chicken. Rinse well.
  2. Place the chicken in the casserole with the spices, garlic, onions, herbs, oil and two cups water. Simmer, covered, 30 minutes, turning the chicken often in the cooking liquid.
  3. Meanwhile, pit the olives. To rid them of their bitterness boil them three times, changing the water each time.
  4. Add the drained pitted olives and the lemon juice to the casserole and continue cooking until the chicken is very tender. Transfer the chicken to a serving dish. Using a slotted spoon, remove the olives and place around the chicken. Meanwhile reduce the cooking liquid in the casserole to a thick sauce. Adjust the salt and lemon juice to taste. Pour over the chicken. Serve at once.
  • This recipe is from ”Mediterranean Cooking” by Paula Wolfert (Times Books).

45 minutes

Dining and Cooking