Moroccan stews—typically complex mixtures of spices, fruits, vegetables, and meat—provide ideal opportunities to balance tastes. In this dish, briny olives counter the sweetness of dried fruit and sautéed onions. Sautéeing the spices draws out their essences and makes them more potent.
So clean and natural flavors and ingredients!
This really was amazing. As other reviewers noted, the flavor development and complexity for the amount of cooking time is impressive. We love tagines and agreed it is as good as our favorite with FAR less work/time invested.
This is one of my favorite recipes of all time. It is always a hit with friends who like complex, multi-layered flavors. The contrast of the salty olives, sweet fruit, and savory spices with meaty chicken thighs is just heavenly. I think the biggest advantage of this dish is that you get a slow-cooked texture and complexity without having to cook all day.
I loved this. My husband hated it. I like North African and Middle Eastern food - he doesn't. So, the bottom line is - if you enjoy these types of flavors, this is a five star recipe. If not...don't go there. I used prunes because I couldn't find plums. I'd probably recommend a few extra olives and maybe a few less apricots, but it was great! Will definitely make again...when my husband is away!
This was fabulous - we loved the flavors, even my picky 14yo! I subbed boneless breasts in bite-sized chunks and shortened cooking time to 20 minutes, but will use thighs next time - more moist and flavorful. Also increased all spices by a 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. (could even use more - smelled heavenly!) and served over basmati b/c that's what I had. Will def. make again! Worthy of special occasion but easy for weeknight. Served with roasted sweet potatoes and zucchini - yum!
I really liked the flavors in this dish. My family, however, did not. I have young children that were picking the ingredents out and complaining. They are usually very good eaters. I think it was more of a spicy combination that bothered them rather than what was incorporated in the pot. Very easy to make and I would like to try it again when they get alittle older.
Great recipe, easy to make with lots of interesting flavors. Substituted Kalamata olives for a Mediterranean blend, also didn't have enough cinnamon in pantry so threw in a dash of allspice. Let simmer for longer than recipe called for make the chicken very tender, maybe even too much for some taste. Will definitely make again.
Didn't use olives (husband doesn't like them) and still totally delicious. Also fairly easy to make. Served over couscous with green beans or roasted butternut squash & pecans on the side. Yum!
