Chicken With Dates by Zarnak Sidhwa

Ingredients:

• Onion sliced 2
• Garlic cloves 3
• Chicken thigh fillets 6
• Butter 50 gm
• Olive oil 1/4 cup
• Dates 8
• Ground cumin 1 tsp
• Ground cinnamon 1 tsp
• Saffron threads 1 pinch
• Chopped tomatoes 400 gm
• Chicken stock 1 cup
• Cinnamon stick 1
• Instant couscous 400 mg
• Flaked almonds 1/4 cup
• Lemon juice 1 tbsp
• Coriander 1/4 bunch
  

Method:

1. Heat butter and 1 tbsp oil.
2. Add chicken and cook for 2 minutes each side or until browned.
3. Transfer to plate.
4. In same pan add onions, garlic and 1 tsp salt, and cook until softened.
5. Add cumin, ground cinnamon and saffron to onion mixture and cook, until fragrant.
6. Return chicken to casserole with tomatoes, stock, cinnamon stick and half  dates.
7. Cook until the chicken is cooked through.
8. Meanwhile, place couscous and 1 tablespoon oil in bowl.
9. Pour over 400ml boiling water, stir to combine, then cover tightly with plastic wrap.
10. Set aside for 10 minutes or until water is absorbed.
11. Heat remaining 1 tbsp oil in pan.
12. Add remaining dates and almonds, and cook, tossing, until almonds are toasted.
13. Stir in lemon juice and extra ground cinnamon.
14. Fluff couscous with a fork, then divide among plates with chicken.
15. Garnish with coriander, then scatter over chicken with almond mixture to serve.