Originating from Syria, this dish epitomizes simplicity intertwined with exotic aromas. Crafted from commonplace ingredients, its preparation requires a mere 15 minutes before it’s ready to be placed in the oven. Personally, I find delight in pairing this Syrian Chicken with Giant Couscous; however, your choices aren’t limited – it pairs wonderfully with regular couscous, pasta, rice, polenta, or even mashed potatoes.
My blog posts are generally filled with optimism and cheerfulness. However, I cannot share a Syrian dish without acknowledging the ongoing unrest in Syria. The country has been embroiled in a civil war for nearly four years, a situation that brings immense suffering to its innocent inhabitants. More than a quarter of Syria’s population – a staggering 4 million people – have been compelled to flee their homes in search of safety within neighboring nations. The most heart-wrenching aspect is that over half of these refugees are children. It’s a stark reminder to reflect on your own childhood and then to consider the unimaginable challenges millions of Syrian children face at this very moment. This perspective is truly humbling.
To extend support, UNICEF has launched a Syrian Crisis Appeal, offering an avenue for donations to aid the children of Syria. You can access the donation page through this link.
Now, let’s transition to a more uplifting subject. Syria is a nation nestled between the Mediterranean and the Middle East, giving rise to a delightful fusion of two of my favorite cuisines. Syrian culinary creations often feature spices that resonate with Middle Eastern flavors, such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, and cinnamon. These flavors also draw parallels to the vibrant cuisines of neighboring Mediterranean countries like Turkey.
If you have a penchant for bold, Arabic-inspired dishes, this recipe is bound to captivate your taste buds. The chicken is seared with an aromatic blend of cumin, coriander, and turmeric, then baked with a chili-infused tomato sauce. It’s a symphony of flavors served atop Giant Couscous, which has the same taste as regular couscous but with an intriguing twist – they’re delightfully large!
While Giant Couscous is officially known as Moghrabieh, Israeli, or Pearl Couscous, I’ve playfully dubbed them Giant Couscous since my initial encounter. And old habits die hard! Giant Couscous is a staple in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines, fashioned from wheat flour or semolina. Its versatility allows it to be used just like pasta or rice, and it’s cooked similarly to pasta. In Australia, you can conveniently find it in major supermarkets within the pasta section, adjacent to regular couscous.
In case you can’t locate Giant Couscous, a worthy substitute is risoni (orzo), a pasta that resembles rice. Other pasta shapes or rice can also step in. However, I strongly encourage you to give Giant Couscous a try. They’re a delightful novelty! These slippery pasta pearls are the ideal vessel for scooping up the rich sauce. I’m eager to hear your thoughts! As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below, and I’ll be more than happy to provide answers.
