Recipe: Chicken with Almonds and Honey

CHICKEN WITH ALMONDS AND HONEY

1 (3 1/2 pound) chicken
Kosher or sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper (as needed)
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon olive oil, divided use
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon minced cilantro
1 tablespoon minced parsley
1/4 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 pinch saffron threads, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin, preferably freshly ground in a mortar or spice mill
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons chopped blanched almonds
1 tablespoon honey

Cut the chicken into small serving pieces, detaching the wings and legs and dividing the breast in 4 pieces and each thigh in half crosswise. Sprinkle on both sides with salt and pepper.

Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a shallow casserole and lightly brown the chicken on all sides.

Add the onion and cook until it has wilted.

Sprinkle in the cilantro, parsley, ginger, saffron, cumin, and nutmeg. Stir in the chicken broth and wine, cover, and simmer 40 minutes.

In a very small skillet, heat the remaining teaspoon oil and lightly brown the almonds over a medium flame.

Add the honey and 2 tablespoons water and cook away most of the liquid. Spoon over the chicken, cover, and cook 5 minutes more.

"A preparation from Andalucia's Moorish past that includes many of the most characteristic ingredients of Moorish cooking of those times: almonds, honey, cilantro, ginger, saffron, and cumin."

Servings: 4
Source: Delicioso! The Regional Cooking Of Spain by Penelope