Category: Simply Nigella

Chicken Traybake with Bitter Orange and Fennel

This lovely one-pan wonder comes together in a jot and tastes fabulous.

2 large fennel bulbs
7 tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
zest and juice of 2 Seville oranges
2 tsp. sea salt flakes
4 tsp. fennel seeds
4 tsp. Dijon mustard
12 chicken thighs, skin on and bone in

Remove the fronds from the fennel and cut the each  bulb into eight pieces. Tip into a resealable bag and add the oil, orange zest and juice, salt, fennel seeds, mustard and chicken. Smooch everything about and chill overnight or at least 3 hours.

Place everything from the bag into a roasting tin and leave at room temperature for 1 hour. Heat the oven to 400°F and cook for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the fennel is soft. Serve with the pan juices spooned on top.

Soda Bread Rolls with Fennel Seeds and Cranberries

If you fancy a sweeter version, simply add 3 tbs. of honey to the wet ingredients.

3 tbs. butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. fine sea salt
3/4 tsp. ground allspice
2/3 cup plain, runny yogurt or buttermilk
1 extra large egg
2/3 cup dried cranberries
2 tsp. fennel seeds

Melt the butter and leave to cool a little. Heat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, mix together the flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt and allspice. In a jug, stir together the yogurt or buttermilk and the egg. Tip the wet ingredients into the dry and combine. Fold in the cranberries and fennel seeds.

On a lightly floured work surface, tip out the dough. Divide in half, then fourths, then eighths. Roll our eight balls and place on the baking sheet. Use a scissors to snip an x in the top of each.

Bake for 15 minutes, or until the rolls are brown and sound hollow when tapped underneath. Allow to cool for 10 minuets before serving.

Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Any biscuit tin would welcome these buttery, chocolaty, crumbly cookies.

3/4 cup plus 1 tbs. creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
pinch fine sea salt
1 extra large egg, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla extract or paste
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Heat the oven to 350°F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Stir together the peanut butter, sugar, baking soda and salt. Stir in the egg and vanilla, then add the chocolate chips.

Use a small ice cream scoop to drop 16 cookies onto the baking sheets. Flatten slightly and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown. Leave on the baking sheets for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

 

Chicken and Wild Rice

This has a deliciously distinctive Thanksgiving vibe.

2 tbs. olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced or grated
1 tsp. ground turmeric
2 tsp. coriander seeds
2 tsp. cumin seeds
8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
1 1/2 cups wild rice
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 quart chicken stock

Heat the oven to 350°F.

Using a wide, shallow Dutch oven that has a lid, heat the oil and gently soften the onions, about 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic, turmeric, coriander seeds and cumin seeds.

Turn the heat up and add the chicken thighs. Seal on both sides (they will not brown). Season them, then stir in the rice and cranberries. Pour in the chicken stock, cover and transfer to the oven for 1 hour.

Remove the lid and cook 10-15 minutes more to reduce any stock. Check the seasonings and serve.

Serves 6

 

Merguez Meatballs

Merguez sausages are typically made of lamb, but you can sub in a good quality pork sausages for this perfectly spiced and delicious entree.

1 lb. merguez sausages
2 tbs. olive oil
1 x 14oz. can chopped tomatoes
3/4 cup drained and roughly chopped roasted red tomatoes
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground allspice
2 tsp. sea salt flakes
1 tbs. honey

Squeeze the sausage meat out of the casings into a bowl. Roll into walnut-sized meatballs.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over a medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides. Tip in the remaining ingredients and bubble gently for 10 minute, or until the sauce has thickened and the meatballs are cooked through.

Beef Chili with Bourbon, Beer and Black Beans

Here is a great dish for a crowd. Serve with sour cream and Frito corn chips.

2 dried ancho chilis
boiling water
2 tbs. vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped
4 jalapeno peppers, deseeded and chopped
3 fat garlic cloves
2 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
2 1/2 tsp. ground coriander
1 tsp. red chili flakes
4 lbs. beef sirloin, cut into chunks
2/3 cup bourbon
12 oz. Mexican beer
2 1/2 cups dried black beans
1 qt. cold water
2 tsp. sea salt flakes
2 tbs. maple syrup

Heat the oven to 300°F. Put the ancho chili in a measuring cup and add the boiling water to make 1 cup. Set aside.

Heat the oil in a large, heavy casserole that can go in the oven. Tip in the onions and cook until softened, 10-12 minutes. Add the jalapeño, garlic, cumin, coriander and chili flakes, then stir for 2-3 minutes. Add the beef, followed by the bourbon. Let it bubble a bit before adding the beer and beans.

Deseed and chop the ancho chilis and add to the pot along with their soaking liquid. Add the water, salt and maple syrup. Bring to a boil, then cover and transfer to the oven for 4 hours. By this time the beef should be meltingly tender and the beans cooked through.

Serves 8-10

Chicken with Red Grapes and Marsala

I you can’t find chicken supremes, simply use bone-in breast or thighs. It’s really all about the lovely sauce.

4 tbs. Marsala
4 tbs. chicken stock
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 tbs. olive oil
2 chicken supremes
20 red grapes
1 tbs. fresh thyme leaves

Heat the oven to 400°F. Mix the Marsala, chicken stock and mustard in a little jug.

Heat the oil in a sturdy skillet or shallow casserole that will fit the chicken snuggly and will go in the oven. Season the chicken and cook, skin-side down for 5 minutes, or until golden. Turn the chicken over and add the Marsala mixture. Bring to a bubble, then drop in the grapes and transfer to the oven. Cook for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the skin crisp.

Transfer the chicken to two shallow bowls or dinner plates. Put the pan over a high heat and bubble for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauces has reduced and thickened. Pour over the chicken and serve.

Serves 2

Lamb Kofta with Garlic Sauce

These zesty zeppelins are like Eastern Mediterranean meatballs and are served in warm pita breads with chopped tomatoes and shredded lettuce.

For the kofta:

1 lb. ground lamb
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. ground coriander
1 tsp. sea salt flakes
1/2 tsp. ground allspice
1/2 tsp. white pepper
3 tbs. chopped fresh parsley
1 tbs. chopped fresh mint
2 tbs. olive oil

For the sauce:

1 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 garlic cloves, crushed
zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 tsp. sea salt flakes
1 tsp. dried mint

To serve:

chopped tomatoes
shredded iceberg lettuce
pita breads

To make the kofta, tip everything but the oil into a large bowl. Gently, but thoroughly mix together, then form into 10 oblong shapes. Place on a lined baking sheet and chill at least 30 minutes.

For the sauce, stir everything together and set aside.

When ready to cook, heat the oil in a large non-stick skillet and fry the kofta for 5 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Serve with the sauce, tomatoes, lettuce and pita breads.

Spiced Almonds

There is something irresistibly moreish about these almonds. They are a combination of crunch and kick.

1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. ground coriander
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tbs. vegetable oil
1 tsp. honey
finely grated zest of 1 lime
1 tsp. sea salt flakes
2 1/2 cups almonds

Heat the oven to 350°F.

In a large bowl mix together the spices, oil, honey, lime zest and salt. Set aside.

Scatter the almonds on a lined baking sheet and cook for 15 minutes. Quickly tip the hot almonds into the bowl and stir briskly until the nuts are lightly and evenly coated. Sprinkle with a little more sea salt to taste. Transfer back to the baking sheet to cool. Store in an air-tight jar or tin.

Serves 4

 

Criss-Cross Potatoes

Here is a fun and attractive way to serve potatoes.

4 baking potatoes
2 tbs. olive oil
1 tsp. fine sea salt

Heat the oven to 425°F. Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise. Cut a diamond pattern of grooves into the top of each side, slicing not more than 1/8″ or so.

Put the cut-side up potatoes on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake for 45 minutes, or until tender and golden.

Serves 4 – 8