Ras El Hanout Chicken With Tabbouleh
Ingredients
GROUP A: CHICKEN
4 - 5 oz boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/2 tbsp + 1/4 tsp ras-el-hanout spice mix (make your own! or use store bought)
1/2 tbsp olive oil
Salt & pepper, to taste
GROUP B: TABBOULEH
1/4 cup + 1 tbsp couscous
1 small Persian cucumber
3 - 4 tbsp finely minced tomato
1 tightly packed cup (2 handfuls) parsley
Juice from 1/2 a lemon
2 tsp olive oil
Salt & pepper, to taste
GROUP C: EVERYTHING ELSE
2 large Mejdool dates, pitted
1/2 tsp grainy charcuterie-style mustard
1/2 tsp olive oil
3 tbsp plain hummus
2 tbsp plain labneh (substitute: crème fraîche or plain Greek yogurt)
1 tbsp pomegranate seeds
Habanero pepper hot sauce
Method
Tenderize the chicken thighs slightly, sprinkle ras-el-hanout, salt, and pepper on both sides and rub/massage the chicken to coat evenly. Marinate for 20 - 25 minutes.
Add the hummus and labneh to a small bowl, mix evenly, and make a creamy, smooth dip. Set it aside till it’s time to plate.
Cook the couscous per the instructions on the packet; if there aren’t any, add 1/3 cup water and 1/4 tsp salt to a small saucepan or cook pot, and bring to a simmer. Add the couscous, stir it into the water fully, then immediately take the pot off heat, and fluff the couscous with a fork. Add 1/2 tsp of butter (optional), mix well, cover for 5 minutes, then fluff it again. Set it aside to cool at room temperature.
Finely mince the parsley and cucumber. Add, along with the rest of Group B ingredients, to the cooled down couscous. Mix it well and set it aside,
Mince the dates finely. Add them to a small bowl, along with the charcuterie mustard and olive oil, and mix well.
Cook the chicken on a grill pan or plain cast iron pan, till it is juicy and tender. Add a dollop of the hummus/labneh dip to a shallow, wide bowl, and place the chicken over it. Scatter the tabbouleh generously all over the chicken, then top it with the date/mustard mixture. Add some pomegranate seeds and finish off by drizzling the habanero hot sauce all over. Eat while warm!