Best Fesenjan Chicken With Walnut And Pomegranate Sauce Recipes

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KHORESHT FESENJAAN (CHICKEN WITH POMEGRANATE SAUCE)



Khoresht Fesenjaan (Chicken with Pomegranate Sauce) image

This is a well-known Persian dish of chicken with a pomegranate and walnut sauce. Khoresht Fesenjan should be served with white rice.

Provided by PFEIFFER

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Asian

Time 3h50m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 11

½ cup vegetable oil
4 medium red onions, thinly sliced
3 pounds bone-in chicken pieces
2 cups hot water or as needed
2 ½ cups pomegranate juice
4 cups chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons freshly ground cardamom
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 medium butternut squash, seeded and cubed
¼ teaspoon saffron powder
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Stir in sliced onions; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking and stirring until the onion is very tender and dark brown, 15 to 20 minutes more.
  • Raise heat to medium-high. Add chicken pieces, and fry until lightly browned on the outside. Pour in the water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes, adding more water if necessary to keep the mixture from drying out.
  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (65 degrees C).
  • Combine the walnuts and pomegranate juice in the container of a blender or food processor. Process into liquid. (This can be done in small batches if necessary.) Add walnut-pomegranate mixture to the simmering chicken. Season with cardamom, cinnamon, saffron powder, and salt. Stir in the cubed squash. Transfer the entire mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Bake, loosely covered, for 2 1/2 hours in the preheated oven. Serve with white rice.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 742.5 calories, Carbohydrate 48.9 g, Cholesterol 85.1 mg, Fat 51.8 g, Fiber 6.2 g, Protein 28.6 g, SaturatedFat 8.8 g, Sodium 281.1 mg, Sugar 28.8 g

PERSIAN CHICKEN OR DUCK IN POMEGRANATE WALNUT SAUCE (FESENJAN)



Persian Chicken or Duck in Pomegranate Walnut Sauce (Fesenjan) image

Fesenjan, also known as khoresht-e fesenjan, is typically made for special occasions in Iran. It is traditionally made with duck or pheasant in the north of the country along the Caspian sea. It is a thick, rich, sweet-sour dish that improves in flavor the next day. Pomegranate syrup, sometimes called pomegranate molasses, is available in most Middle Eastern and health food stores (make sure it does not say "sour" ) If using fresh pomegranate juice, use 1 1/2 to 2 cups and reduce the stock or water. Adding a 1/2 tsp ground cardamom or 1/2 tsp cinnamon when sautéing the onions will add a richer flavor. Add more sugar if the sauce is too tart, or lime or lemon juice if it is too sweet. A peeled and cubed eggplant is sometimes added. Sauté the eggplant along with the onions. You may need to add a little more liquid as it simmers.

Provided by NcMysteryShopper

Categories     Whole Chicken

Time 1h

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup butter or 1/4 cup oil
2 1/2-3 lbs chicken (cut up, bone-in) or 2 1/2-3 lbs duck (cut up, bone-in)
2 onions, thinly sliced
2 cups walnuts, finely ground in a food processor
1 1/2-2 cups chicken stock or 1 1/2-2 cups water
2/3 cup pomegranate syrup (see notes in description if using juice)
2 -3 tablespoons sugar
kosher salt, to taste
fresh ground pepper, to taste

Steps:

  • Sprinkle meat with lime juice and allow to marinate for 1-4 hours.
  • Over medium heat in a large, heavy-bottomed pot heat an 1/8 cup (2 Tablespoons) of the butter or oil until shimmering.
  • Add the chicken/duck pieces a few at a time and brown on all sides. Remove to a plate.
  • Add onions (and eggplant if using - see notes in description) and sauté in remaining butter or oil until translucent.
  • Stir in ground walnuts and saute for 1/2 a minute.
  • Add stock or water and browned chicken/duck pieces. Bring to a boil, lower heat, cover and simmer 20-30 minutes.
  • Stir in the pomegranate juice, sugar, salt and pepper.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning. Sauce should have a balanced sweet-sour flavor. See notes to adjust.
  • Simmer another 15-20 minutes until the chicken/duck is tender, sauce is somewhat thickened and the walnuts begin to give off their oil. Serve with plain white rice.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1176.4, Fat 93.5, SaturatedFat 23.4, Cholesterol 245.8, Sodium 432.2, Carbohydrate 23.9, Fiber 4.9, Sugar 11.8, Protein 64.7

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