Chicken Simmered In Smen -

Chicken Simmered In Smen

Ingredients

3 lb chicken, quartered
2 chicken livers
¾ cup onion, minced
¼ teaspoon saffron threads, pulverized
1 teaspoon turmeric, to mix with the saffron
½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
1 teaspoon salt
¼ cup parsley, roughly chopped
¼ cup water
2 to 3 tablespoons smen
2 tablespoons fresh sweet butter
½ preserved lemon
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Details

Serves: 4

Method

Place prepared chicken in 5½ qt. casserole with the livers and minced onion. Sprinkle with the spices and 1 teaspoon salt. Toss to coat evenly. Puree parsley in blender or food processor with ¼ cup water. Add half the "parsley water" and all of the smen to the casserole.

Pour in 1 cup water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for one hour, adding more water if necessary. Remove chicken to a colander when very tender and keep warm while the sauce simmers one full hour.

Heat the 2 tablespoons sweet butter in a skillet; gently brown the drained chicken quarters. Transfer to a flameproof serving dish, cover and keep warm. Meanwhile, add the remaining "parsley water" to the sauce in the casserole and, by boiling rapidly, uncovered, reduce to 1½ cups.

Put the sauce, livers, and odd bits of skin and bits in the blender. Whirl until the sauce is smooth. Pour over the chicken and reheat. Discard the pulp from the preserved lemon and dice the peel.

Sprinkle diced lemon peel over the chicken. Simmer 5 minutes, taste for seasoning, and add additional salt if necessary. Sprinkle with lemon juice and serve at once.

Related food category:

• Chicken