“Part of the secret of a success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside.”
– Mark Twain
The Sultan’s Favorite Dream
In Turkey exist a dish so perfect that it has escaped antiquity. Although the name changes from table to table the core of the recipe remains the same. Chicken, usually marinated in a yogurt base, cooked with potato’s, tomatoes, vegetables typically over rice. The dishes truly special nature hides in its secret ingredient… Hashish!
Amedros menu in Istanbul, Turkey
While the recipe from place to place changes, it made me think how I would prepare this ancient dish. This is how I would make it…
Turkish Sultan’s Dream Chicken
Step one, marinading the chicken…
Turkish medicated Marinade for Chicken
4 -6 chicken breasts
1 cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon or 1 tablespoon ground cumin
1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (to taste)
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 lemon, juice of
6 tablespoons olive oil (2-4 tablespoons being medicated)
1⁄2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1⁄2 cup grated onion
1. Combine all ingredients in a non-reactive bowl.
2. Add chicken, cover & refrigerate at least 12 hours or overnight.
Step two, preparing the dish…
Turkish Sultan’s Dream Chicken
Ingredients
½ cup olive oil
1 large yellow onion, sliced (about 1 cup) Coupons
3 cloves garlic
5 ripe tomatoes, cut in half
1½ teaspoon salt
4-6 Marinated chicken breast
1 large Russet potato, sliced
salt and pepper to taste
crusty bread or rice for serving
Instructions
Sauce:
1. Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium high heat.
2. Add the onions and garlic.
3. Scoop the juices, seeds, and flesh out of the tomatoes into the pan. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes or until everything is soupy-like and softened and very good smelling.
4. Place the scooped out tomato halves over the sauce, open side down. Simmer for a few minutes until the tomatoes have steamed and softened.
5. Break them up in the pan and simmer for another 5-10 minutes to get all the flavors real nice.
Blend:
Transfer to a blender or food processor, puree until mixture reaches your desired consistency, and stir in the salt. Taste and adjust to you liking.
Chicken and Potatoes:
1. In the same pan, add one more quick drizzle of olive oil and add the marinated chicken and potato slices. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and seasoning. Saute for a few minutes on each side until they are browned.
Finish:
Add the sauce back to the pan, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes or until the chicken and potatoes are fully cooked. Serve with crusty white bread or rice.
