Ben Dearnley
Fesenjan, the Persian dish of chicken braised in walnut sauce, is at once piquant and comforting. The secret? Pomegranate molasses. The quantity here is a guide – add more to the pot and the dish will come out sweet and tart, or use it like you would lemon juice, seasoning at the end to cut the richness.
Ingredients
Method
1.Preheat oven to 200°C. Heat oil in a flameproof casserole over medium-high heat. Season chicken, add to pan skin-side down, and cook, turning occasionally, until golden, (6-8 minutes). Remove from casserole. Reduce heat to medium, add onion and ghee to casserole and stir occasionally until onion is soft and starting to brown (10-12 minutes). Stir in cinnamon, paprika and pomegranate molasses, then add stock and bring to the boil. Return chicken to casserole, transfer to oven and braise until tender and cooked through (40-45 minutes). Season sauce to taste.
2.Meanwhile, pound nuts with a mortar and pestle until coarsely ground, then stir into sauce. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until combined (4-6 minutes). Season with pomegranate molasses and serve topped with onion and coriander with rice on the side.
Drink suggestion: Exotically perfumed viognier. Drink suggestion by Max Allen.
Notes
