Tajine Malsouka -- Tunisian Chicken 'Tagine' Phyllo Pie
- 1 kg chicken thigh (on the bone with skin)
- 3 medium brown onions, peeled & diced
- 1 -2 teaspoon crushed saffron threads mixed with a little water (or 1/2 tsp fresh ground nutmeg)
- 200 -250 ml water
- 12 large rounds phyllo pastry (10-inchx12-incheach in diameter)
- 100 g gruyere cheese, grated (or other hard cheese)
- 4 large eggs, beaten
- salt & ground black pepper
- 250 g ricotta cheese, thinly sliced
- 2 egg yolks mixed with 1-2 tsp vegetable oil to glaze
- vegetable oil, for frying & for brushing the pastry layers & dish
- In a frying pan, fry the onion in a little of the vegetable oil for a few minutes until it is softened. Add the chicken & the water, cover then cook for 45 minutes in a medium heat or until the chicken is cooken through, turning the thighs from time to time.
- Preheat oven to 190c / 375f/ GM5.
- Discard the chicken skin, remove the meat from the bones & place the pieces in a bowl.
- Pour the saffron or ground nutmeg paste over the chicken, then stir in the grated cheese and 2-3 tbsp of water to make an 'unctous mixture'. Stir in the beaten eggs & season with the salt & pepper to taste.
- Generously oil an ovenproof pie or quiche dish about the same zie as the rounds of phyllo. Overlap 5 sheets so that at least 1/3 of the phyllo is allowed to hang over the sides of the dish, remembering to lightly brush each sheet with the vegetable oil. Place a final 6th piece of phyllo over the top of the others - this one should be central so that it reinforces the base a little.
- Pour in most of the chicken mixture, followed by a layer of sliced ricotta then a final layer of the chicken.
- Fold the overhanging phyllo pastry over the top so that is wrapped but not too tight. Stick the edges together using a pastry brush & the glaze. Place another sheet of phyllo on top, tucking the edges into the dish, followed by 4 more sheets of phyllo, being sure to brush them with the glaze as you go. Finish by brushing more g;ase on the top.
- Place the tagine on a low shelf in the oven for around 20-25 minutes. The pastry should be crisp & deep golden when the dish is ready.
- Serve hot, on a flat dish & cut into slices as you would a cake.
chicken thigh, brown onions, water, water, rounds phyllo pastry, gruyere cheese, eggs, salt, ricotta cheese, egg yolks, vegetable oil
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/tajine-malsouka-tunisian-chicken-tagine-phyllo-pie-386113 (may not work)