Bowl of Chicken Stewed with Olives
(click to enlarge)

Chicken Stewed with Olives


Spain - Andalucia   -   Pollo con Aceitunas
Serves:
Effort:
Sched:
DoAhead:  		 4 main
***
1-1/2 hrs
Yes		 From the Spanish province of Andalucia, Moorish Al-Andalus, this chicken stew with olives is similar to a dish made across the straits in Morocco. Of course, they can't flavor theirs with brandy and wine.




2-1/2
6
10
1
1/2
1/4
2-1/2
2
2/3
3
1/3
2/3
1/3
#
oz
oz
cl
t
t
oz
T
c
T
c
t
t
Chicken meat (1)  
Onion
Tomatoes
Garlic
Thyme, dried
Fennel seed
Olives (2)
Olive Oil
Sherry (3)
Brandy
Stock
Salt
Pepper
Prep   -   (25 min)
  1. Cut CHICKEN into the size chunks appropriate for how you will be serving it. 1-1/2 inch or so is usually good.
  2. Chop ONION small. Crush GARLIC and chop small. Mix.
  3. Scald TOMATOES 1 minute in boiling water. Quench in cold water, peel and chop medium.
  4. Grind Fennel Seed. Mix with dried Thyme.
  5. Pit OLIVES and break into 3 or 4 pieces.
  6. Mix Sherry, Brandy and Stock.
Run   -   (1 hr)
  1. Heat Olive Oil in a spacious sauté pan and fry Chicken, tumbling frequently until lightly browned on all sides. Be very careful the fond that sticks to the pan doesn't burn, it should remain reddish, not chocolate.
  2. Stir Onion Mix into the pan and fry stirring until onions are translucent, just a couple of minutes.
  3. Stir in Tomatoes and fry stirring until they begin to soften.
  4. Stir in Sherry mix. Deglaze the pan, scraping up the fond and incorporating it into the sauce.
  5. Stir in Thyme mix, Salt and Pepper and Olives Cover and simmer slowly for about 40 minutes or until chicken is tender, turning now and then.
  6. Check salt and seasoning. Adjust liquid if needed and serve hot with rice or potatoes.
NOTES:

  1. Chicken:

      Weight is skinless, boneless, preferably thigh/leg meat. The pattern recipe called for whole joints of a 4 pound chicken, but I do this with chunks for convenience of portioning, especially when serving buffet style.

  2. Olives

      Weight is before pitting. These should be cracked green olives cured with thyme and garlic. Near Eastern cracked olives with shatta will also do - after all, this recipe is from Al-Andalus, last stronghold of the Moors in Europe.

  3. Sherry:

      Use a moderately sweet Sherry such as Amontillado, not too dry.
  4. U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove, in=inch

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