Bowl of Smoked Chicken Stew
(click to enlarge)

Smoked Chicken Stew


Africa, Benin   -   Moyo de Poulet Fumé
Serves:
Effort:
Sched:
DoAhead:  		 6 w/rice
***
1-1/4 hrs
Yes		 A very simple quick cooking recipe, unique and outstandingly delicious. It's a little spendy though - the 3 pounds of chicken halves for the photo example cost me $14.

3
2
10
2
1
1/2
1
#
#
oz


t
T
Smoked Chicken (1)  
Tomatoes, ripe (2)
Onion
Chili Habanero
Maggi Cube (3)
Salt
Olive Oil ExtV (4)
Prep   -   (45 min)
  1. Bone CHICKEN, remove any excess fat and cut into 3/4 to 1 inch pieces. Include any loose skin cut into strips and all small fragments - see also Note-1.
  2. Scald TOMATOES 1 minute in boiling water (a little more if plum tomatoes), quench in cold water, skin and cut into 1/2 inch pieces.
  3. Quarter ONIONS lengthwise and slice about 1/8 inch crosswise.
  4. Slit HABANEROS open.
  5. Mix all ingredients well.
Run   -   (30 min)
  1. Place all ingredients in a 4-1/2 quart Dutch Oven or heavy bottomed pot. Bring to a boil. Juice with the tomatoes should provide enough liquid to start.
  2. Simmer about 20 minutes, stirring now and then. Simmer covered or uncovered to regulate the amount of liquid you want. Check hotness and remove Habaneros if getting too hot.
  3. Serve with plenty of steamed long grain rice.
NOTES:

  1. Chicken:

      Weight is bone in. If your smoked chicken is boneless, use 2-1/4 pounds, In Africa 3 pound whole chicken would cut into serving pieces, with excess fat removed. I prefer the cut chicken meat for buffet service and to reduce fighting at the table. For details see our Smoked Chicken page.

  2. Tomatoes:

      These should be very ripe and flavorful. If your tomatoes don't measure up, use a 28 oz can of whole tomatoes, chopped coarse and include juice. Another trick I use when the tomatoes aren't quite tasty enough or red enough is to add an 8 ounce can of a simple Tomato Sauce. My favorite is Faraon brand Spanish Style.

  3. Maggi Cube:

      This Nestlé product has almost completely replaced traditional fermented flavorings in West Africa, but is little available in North America. See our Maggi Cubes page for suggested substitutes.

  4. Olive Oil:

      In Africa peanut oil is most used, and Olive is a bit expensive, but here we can afford to use the best.
  5. U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch, ar=as required tt=to taste
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