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Persian Grilled Saffron Chicken (Jooje-Kabab)

About

About Jooje-kabab :


Ingredients

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 cup butter

Directions

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, turmeric, coriander, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper.
  2. Add the chicken to the marinade and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
  3. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
  4. While the grill is preheating, bloom the saffron threads by placing them in a small bowl with 1 tablespoon of warm water. Let stand for 5 minutes, then stir until dissolved.
  5. In a small saucepan, melt the butter.
  6. Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers.
  7. Grill the chicken for 8-10 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Baste with the saffron butter every few minutes.
  8. Serve immediately with rice or naan bread.

Tips:

  • For a more intense saffron flavor, you can soak the saffron threads in 2 tablespoons of warm water for 15 minutes before adding them to the marinade.
  • You can also add other vegetables to the skewers, such as bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms.
  • Serve the chicken with a refreshing cucumber yogurt sauce for dipping.

Garnishes:

  • Chopped cilantro or parsley
  • Lime wedges
  • Mint leaves

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Total time: 2 hours and 10 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Health Tips:

  • Saffron is a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to have a number of health benefits, including reducing inflammation, improving mood, and boosting cognitive function.
  • Yogurt is a good source of protein and calcium.
  • Lemon juice is a good source of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage.
  • Cumin, turmeric, coriander, and cayenne pepper are all spices that have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Enjoy!

How to use saffron:

The Powered Saffron
Use a mortar and pestle to grind your saffron into powder. In Persian, we use one sugar cube while grinding the saffron.
The powdered saffron has less shelf life than the saffron threads, so the Persian housewife prefers to keep her magic spice in liquid.
The Liquid Saffron
After grinding the saffron in powder, add warm water (2 to 4 tablespoons) and leave it for five minutes. Then keep the saffron in a glass jar inside the fridge. Don’t forget to keep the lid closed. 
By making the saffron in liquid, you can get most of it, and it’s more economical than using the threads.

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