Chicken, olives & preserved lemon tajine
I have been away for a few weeks now, involuntary, my dearest father in law, Bernard, passed on unexpectedly, a few weeks ago, He was always one of my big supporters ! He was a bon vivant! loved, loved kitchen gadgets, He flooded his kitchen with the most amazing gadgets, each for one particular use for one very particular recipe! He gave me years ago my current knife set, we exchanged super old family recipe specially the ones from his grandmother, Meme Pauline. This recipe among others We tasted together and there will be others I will have to follow up his recipe, like the steak and kidney pie, he often spoke about. I will be very hard to move on, but I think it will best, by doing this, I am sure He would love doing, as He lived a big part of his life in Morocco, and loved Moroccan cuisine among others. Today I share a dear family recipe, Preserved lemon, olive & chicken tajine.
The tajine is named after the earthenware pot in which it is cooked. The traditional tajine pot is made of pottery, which is sometimes painted or glazed. It consists of two parts: a base unit that is flat and circular with low sides and a large cone- or dome-shaped cover that sits on the base during cooking. The cover is designed to promote the return of all condensation to the bottom. Tajines can also be cooked in a conventional oven or on a stove top. What makes this tajine special is the use of lemons!!
Chicken, olives & preserved lemon tajine
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs
- 4 chicken legs
- 2 skinless boneless chicken breasts
- 4 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon powdered cumin
- ¼ teaspoon powdered ginger
- ½ teaspoon powdered saffron optional
- ½ teaspoon powdered paprika
- ¼ teaspoon powdered turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon powdered coriander
- 2 large onions chopped
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 1 cup green olives
- 1 preserved lemon
- 16 small potatoes or 8 big potatoes cut in halves.
- ½ cup parsley chopped
- ½ cup cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into cubes season with all the spices, add the chopped onion and the oil. Combine well and let it marinate for 20 minutes.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the sugar, let it bubble up and get brown and then throw in the chicken, and sear it well on all sides until it gets golden dark brown on all sides. Add water along with the marinade juices enough to cover the chicken. Add the potatoes, lemon and olives. Let it simmer until chicken is tender, about 15 minutes. Add half of the cilantro and parsley, mix will let this simmer for 5 more minutes.
- Arrange the meat and the potatoes on a serving platter, pour the sauce over the meat. Garnish the tajine with the rest of the parsley and cilantro.
- Serves 6 to 8.
Here you will find my favorite recipes using lemons from my favorite food bloggers. Thankyou all for inspiring me as well as lots of people, letting me cherish your beautiful work and giving my comfort to go on!
Preserved Lemon Spicy Margarita from Karry – Tasty Ever After
Preserved Lemon recipe from me – The Petit Gourmet
Garlic & Rosemary Chicken Skewers with Lemon Aioli from Cheyanne – No Spoon Necessary
Hearty Lemon Chicken Stew from Annie – CiaoChowBambina
Lemony Sumac Shrimp Skewers from Adam – Unorthodox Epicure
Lemon Shrimp + Quinoa-Lentil Salad from David – Spiced Blog
Roasted Chicken breast with Meyer Lemon from Annie – CiaoChowBambina
Preserved Lemons Martini with spicy olives from Karrie – Tasty Ever After
Shaved Asparagus Salad with Baked Goat Cheese & Lemon Vinaigrette from Cheyanne – No Spoon Necessary
Blueberry Lemon Cream Streusel Bars from Mary Ann – The Beach House Kitchen
Classic Lemon Meringue Pie from David – Spiced Blog
Meyer Lemon Cream Scones from Mary Ann – The Beach House Kitchen
Sparkling Lemon Basil Sorbet from David – Spiced Blog
We will always remember you like this! In loving memory…Au revoir, Pacha
9 thoughts on “Chicken, olives & preserved lemon tajine + Recipe roundup”
My deepest condolences for your loss, Gaila! Losing a loved one is not easy… may the wonderful memories you shared with your father-in-law bring you comfort during this difficult time! Your tajine looks delicious and I’m sure your FIL is smiling down upon you and this dish! Thank you so much for including me in your recipe round up! I’m honored. Hugs your way, friend!
Gaila, I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your Father-in-law. My positive thoughts and prayers are with your family. Love that this recipe is a dear family one. It’s great to connect to one another through food and special memories are so often created when family and friends cook together, then gather around the table to eat. This dish looks so delicious and can’t wait to try it! Also, thank you very much for including my recipes with all the other awesome recipes and it’s quite the honor to be included in with all these unbelievably talented bloggers. 🙂 xoxo
My dear Karrie, thank you for your support and warmth! I am honor to count you among my blogger friends! I love and admire your work. Hugs!
This tajine sounds delicious Gaila. I’m so sorry about your father-in-law. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. I love your lemon recipe round up! Thanks so much for including my recipes!
Thank you Mary Ann, and you are very welcome I love your recipes and your pictures! 🙂
My deepest sympathies, Gaila. It is so clear through your writing as well as his smile that he was a very special man. Your family will be in my loving thoughts. Your recipe is divine(!), as always… Thank you so much for including me in your stellar round-up. Happy to see you back, my friend! xoxo
My dear Annie, thank you for your word! I am so glad to count you among my blogger friends! I love and admire your work. Hugs!
It is almost mid-May and I am just now seeing this (not sure why I didn’t get the alert earlier). My prayer for you and your family is that you find peace. Bless all of you. — And, though it doesn’t feel right thanking you for acknowledging my recipe as one of your favorites, I’m flattered and humbled. Godspeed.
Dear Adam, thank you for your kind words! I am glad I had found you and your wonderful blog!