Recipe: Pomegranate Chicken Stew

Pomegranate Chicken Stew 

This chicken recipe is traditionally served on the Winter Solstice. It is known as "Shab e Yalda" in Persian culture and it has been a celebration since Zoroastrian times. It takes place during the season of harvest of pomegranates so this dish is centred on the use of pomegrantes and pomegranate paste. It's wonderfully savoury and sour. Truly a unique flavour.

    Ingredients:

• Spices:

• 1 tbsp turmeric
• 2 tbsp salt 
• 1 tbsp ground black pepper 

• 1 kg chicken: breast, thigh or drumstick

• 1 medium minced yellow onion

• 1 medium yellow onion- divided into quarters 

• 2 medium pomegranates 

• 1 tbsp tomato paste 

• 2 tbsp pomegranate paste 

• 2 tbsp Tangerine juice

• 6 dried plums 

• 1/2 cup barberries 

• 1/2 cup prepared saffron  

• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 

    Instructions:

1. In a large pan fry your chicken until golden brown on both sides. Add a bit of turmeric, black pepper and salt to the pan to add some colour and flavour to the chicken.  Then add your quartered medium onion into the pan to conceal the aroma of the chicken. Bring 2 cups of water to boil and add to the pan. Cook halfway. DON'T ADD THE SAUCE IMMEDIATELY: Your chicken won't absorb the colour and the stew will be watery. 
2. In a saucepan fry your minced union. Stir frequently to release the juices from the onion. When the onion is golden brown, add your tomato paste and stir to combine.  Add turmeric, black pepper and salt to taste. Finally, add your pomegranate paste and stir to form your sauce. Top the sauce with your pomegranate, saffron and tangerine juice. 
3. Once the chicken is cooked halfway through, remove the onion quarters and add your sauce to the chicken. Add your dried plums into the sauce and cook on medium heat until there is only 1/2 cup of water left in the pan. 
4. In a small saucepan, fry your barberries with a bit of butter until softened. BE CAREFUL IT EASILY BURNS!
5. Serve your stew once it reaches the right consistency. Garnish with the leftover pomegranate, barberries and chopped walnuts and enjoy!!!