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By Sara ‘Ajour
Food Writer / Family Flavours Magazine
Summer is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. This month, our culinary journey in Family Flavours magazine takes us to Kurdistan with a comforting Kurdish chicken dish and tea that I learned to prepare from a Kurdish family.
Fresh & Locally Sourced
Kurdish cuisine is renowned for its use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Preparing meals is often a communal activity that brings together families and neighbours of all ages, including children, with everyone lending a hand in the cooking process.
The Kurdish flag features a radiant sun, symbolising light, life, freedom and rebirth; themes that are deeply woven into Kurdish cultural identity. Much like the flag itself, this Kurdish chicken dish shines with a golden hue and aromatic flavours, offering a meal that nourishes both family and soul.
Traditional Kurdish Chicken
(Serves 4)
Ingredients
1kg chicken
⅓ cup olive oil
¼ cup boiling water
1 small to medium onion
4 cloves garlic
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
1. Remove the skin from the chicken and cut into 8-12 pieces, then wash and drain
2. Coat the chicken with the turmeric, paprika, salt and pepper, set aside for 1-2 minutes
3. Finley dice the onion and garlic
4. Heat olive oil in a frying pan on medium heat
5. Add the chicken, finely diced onion and garlic into the pan
6. Fry until lightly the chicken is golden
7. Then add boiling water to cover the chicken, onion and garlic
8. Cover and simmer for 10–15 minutes until the sauce is reduced, turning the chicken pieces
9. Strain the concoction from the sauce and place the chicken, garlic and onion into a serving dish. Keep the sauce in a separate glass jar
For the rice
1.Presoak the rice in cold water for half an hour, then wash and drain
2. Place the rice to a saucepan and cover with boiling water (keeping the water one cm above the rice)
3. Boil then reduce the heat to low. Cook for approximately 10-15 minutes
4. In a separate pan heat a quarter cup oil, until smoking, then pour carefully onto the rice
5. Cook the rice for a further 5 minutes
6. Switch off and leave to stand for 5-10 minutes
7.To serve, fluff the rice with a fork and arrange the chicken pieces on to the rice and drizzle with the sauce
Mountain Comfort: Traditional Kurdish Tea
Tea is traditionally enjoyed alongside meals, particularly in the mountainous regions of Kurdistan, such as the Qandil Mountains. Clove-infused Kurdish tea is also believed to help strengthen joints and support the respiratory system.
A fragrant blend of black tea and warming spices, this traditional Kurdish brew is the perfect companion to a family meal and a cherished part of Kurdish hospitality.
Ingredients
2 cups water
2 tsp Kurdish black tea or any loose black tea
3 rose buds
5 cardamom pods
1 small piece of cinnamon bark
Directions
— Place all the ingredients in a teapot and bring to the boil over medium heat— Reduce the heat and simmer for 1-2 minutes
— Remove from heat and leave to infuse for 5 minutes
— Strain the tea into teacups
— Sweeten with sugar, to taste
Tip: For a more authentic Kurdish experience, serve the tea in small glass cups alongside dates, nuts or traditional Kurdish sweets
You can contact Sara ‘Ajour at [email protected]
This article is printed with permission from Family Flavours magazine
