Fattet D'Jaj

Name: Fattet D'Jaj
Ingredients: 2 pieces pita bread; 1/4 cup peanut oil; 3 cups yogurt, plain full-fat; 12 garlic cloves, mashed - 2 cloves for the yogurt sauce and 10 cloves for the chicken; 1 whole chicken, about 1 kilogram; 3 tablespoons peanut oil; 3 lemons, juice of; 3 tablespoons butter, clarified; 2 cups rice, shortgrained, presoaked and drained; 1/2 teaspoon turmeric; 4 cups water; 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted; 1/4 cup pistachios, toasted; 1/4 cup almonds, toasted; sea salt, to taste; pepper, to taste

16 ingredients

6 steps

Ingredients

2 pieces pita bread
1/4 cup peanut oil
3 cups yogurt, plain full-fat
12 garlic cloves, mashed - 2 cloves for the yogurt sauce and 10 cloves for the chicken
1 whole chicken, about 1 kilogram
3 tablespoons peanut oil
3 lemons, juice of
3 tablespoons butter, clarified
2 cups rice, shortgrained, presoaked and drained
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
4 cups water
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
1/4 cup pistachios, toasted
1/4 cup almonds, toasted
sea salt, to taste
pepper, to taste

Directions

1

Prepare the croutons: Split the pita breads open and cut into bite sized pieces. Fry in the 1/4 cup peanut oil until crisp and golden. Drain on paper towels and set aside.
2

Prepare the garlic yogurt sauce: Mix together two of the mashed garlic cloves, the plain yogurt and sea salt to taste. Set aside.
3

Prepare the chicken: Rub the chicken with the remaining 10 cloves garlic - getting the garlic under the skin. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Heat the oil in a large pot and brown the chicken on all sides. Add the lemon juice and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover the pot and simmer for 40 minutes or until the chicken is falling from the bones- turning once during the cook time. Remove the skin and bones and shred the chicken back into the pot with the lemon sauce.
4

Prepare the rice: Heat the clarified butter in a large sauce pan and stir in the drained rice. Add turmeric and salt, mixing well to completely coat the grains. Add the water and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat. Let cook undisturbed until all the water is absorbed, 15-20 minutes.
5

Prepare the garnish: Combine the 3 types of toasted nuts.
6

Assemble the dish: Place the croutons on a platter. Add a layer of hot rice. Add the chicken and drizzle with lemon sauce. Drizzle the yogurt sauce over all and top with the garnish. Serve immediately.