A Twist on Tradition: Tanjia with Cherries, Herbs, and Honey

Ditch the preserved lemons and embrace a burst of sweet and tart with this unique take on the classic Tanjia recipe! Fresh cherries, fragrant herbs, and a touch of honey create a flavor explosion that perfectly complements the savory spices in this slow-cooked Moroccan dish.

Ready to impress your taste buds? Let's get cooking!

Ingredients:

2 lbs Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or lamb shoulder, beef chuck roast - choose your protein)

1 cup Fresh cherries, pitted

½ cup Fresh mint leaves, chopped

¼ cup Fresh parsley leaves, chopped

2 tbsp Olive oil

1 tbsp Honey

1 tsp Ground ginger

1 tsp Ground cumin

½ tsp Ground cinnamon

¼ tsp Black pepper

Salt to taste

1 cup Water

Instructions:

Trim any excess fat from your chosen protein. If using chicken thighs, pierce the skin with a fork in a few places to allow the marinade to penetrate deeply.

In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, honey, ginger, cumin, cinnamon, black pepper, and a generous pinch of salt. Toss in the chopped mint, parsley, and pitted cherries. Let everything mingle and develop a symphony of flavors. Now, add the chicken (or your chosen protein) and coat it thoroughly in the fragrant marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to truly meld.

Once the flavors have had their rendezvous, transfer the marinated chicken (and all the marinade goodness) to a tagine or a heavy-bottomed pot suitable for slow cooking. Pour in the water and bring it to a simmer on the stovetop.

Cover the pot and reduce heat to low. Let the magic of slow cooking unfold! Here's the breakdown:

Chicken: 2-3 hours

Lamb: 3-4 hours

Beef: 4-5 hours

The key is for the meat to become luxuriously tender and practically fall off the bone.

Once the meat is cooked through, carefully remove it from the pot and transfer it to a waiting serving platter. Spoon the flavorful cherry and herb sauce over the top, creating a glistening and inviting presentation. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and parsley for an extra touch of visual flair. Pair your masterpiece with fluffy couscous or fragrant white rice, and prepare to be amazed!

Tips:

Thicken Up the Story: For a thicker sauce, remove the cooked chicken from the pot and set it aside. Increase the heat to medium-high and simmer the sauce until it reduces slightly. Be mindful not to burn the sauce! Reunite the chicken with the thickened sauce before serving.

Cherry Substitute: Don't have fresh cherries on hand? No worries! Substitute with ½ cup dried cherries, plumped in hot water for 15 minutes before using.

Protein Playdate: This recipe is a versatile adventurer! Feel free to swap the protein for bone-in, skin-on duck breasts or a whole cut of fish like cod or halibut. Just remember to adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of your chosen protein.

Embrace the twist and savor the delicious results!