Musakhan Majestic

Introduction to Musakhan Majestic

Musakhan is a traditional Palestinian dish that holds cultural and historic significance. Often enjoyed on special occasions, this dish embodies the essence of simplicity and the richness of Middle Eastern flavors. Musakhan consists of sumac-marinated chicken roasted with onions and olive oil, served over taboon bread. Its roots trace back to centuries-old cooking practices, utilizing indigenous ingredients such as sumac, olive oil, and bread. This dish offers an authentic taste of Palestine's culinary heritage.

Ingredients

• Chicken - 1 whole, cut into pieces
• Sumac - 3 tablespoons
• Olive oil - 1 cup
• Taboon bread - 4 pieces
• Onions - 4 large, thinly sliced
• Pine nuts - 1/2 cup
• Salt - to taste
• Black pepper - 1 teaspoon
• Cinnamon - 1 teaspoon
• Lemon juice - 1 tablespoon
• Cooking timer - essential for precise timing

Preparation

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Firstly, start by preparing the chicken. Clean and pat dry the chicken pieces. In a large bowl, mix the sumac, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Coat each piece of chicken with this marinade and let it sit for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator to absorb all the flavors.

Step 2: Prepare the Onions

While the chicken marinates, slice the onions thinly. In a pan, heat some olive oil and caramelize the onions until they turn golden brown. This will take approximately 20-30 minutes. Sprinkle some cinnamon towards the end for added aroma.

Cooking Process

Step 3: Roast the Chicken

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the marinated chicken on a baking tray and scatter the caramelized onions on top. Let it roast for about 45 minutes, checking occasionally for doneness using a cooking timer.

Step 4: Toast the Pine Nuts

In a separate pan, gently toast the pine nuts until they are golden brown and set aside. Be careful as they can burn quickly.

Step 5: Prepare the Bread

While the chicken is roasting, prepare the taboon bread by heating it slightly in the oven just until warm.

Serving the Musakhan Majestic

Once the chicken is done, arrange the taboon bread on a large serving platter. Place the roasted chicken with its onions atop the bread. Garnish with the toasted pine nuts for a nutty flavor and decorative touch.

How to Enjoy Musakhan Majestic

Musakhan is best enjoyed with family and friends, eaten by hand as per tradition. Each piece of chicken and bread should be savored with generous amounts of onion and pine nuts in every bite. Pair it with sides of fresh vegetables and lemon juice for a refreshing contrast.