Over to AZERBAIJAN!

Just about to finish the 'A''s in the A-Z of the world. Here is a 'trip' to Azerbaijan I did with my students in Perth. Like next doors Armenia, they love the kebab too, but also a very authentic fruit laded Rice Pilaff, flavoured with the incomparable Saffron. Also included are traditional BBQ'd seasonal veg. 

Ingredients

4 tablespoons butter, melted

200g   pitted dried apricots 

100g  pitted dates

100g raisins

300g  skinless, boneless chicken cut into 2-inch (5cm) cubes

1 medium onion, peeled, cut in half lengthways, then thinly sliced in half-circles

1/3 teaspoon ground saffron

ground black pepper

 500g long-grain white Basmati rice (you can also use long-grain American rice)

100g  dried or fresh plums, pitted

salt

I .2 Litre chicken stock

Method

1.     Lightly brown the onions and chicken in the butter, then stir in the rice.

2.     Cut up the fruits into bite size pieces and add to the rice with the hot stock.

3.     Flavour with the saffron and seasoning, cover tightly with a greased sheet of geaseproof paper or a tight fitting lid.

4.     Cook in the over for approx 15-20 mins.

Serve with the kebabs similar to Armenia and barbeque your own selection of favourite Veg