Bastilla

Bastilla is a traditional Moroccan dish and is usually served as an appetizer. The exotic taste makes this a favorite!
==Ingredients==
* 1 small chicken 
* 1 large onion, finely chopped 
* 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger 
* 1/8 teaspoon saffron, crushed 
* 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 
* 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 
* 3 tablespoons chopped parsley 
* 4 eggs 
* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 
* 2/3 cup blanched almonds, chopped 
* 2 teaspoons sugar 
* 1 package filo dough, thawed 
* olive oil, for brushing filo 
==Directions==
# Put the onion, ginger, saffron, cilantro, 1 tsp of cinnamon, and the parsley in a large saucepan with the chicken, not forgetting to season it with salt and pepper.
# Add just enough water to cover it and simmer gently for 45 minutes. It's best to cover the saucepan to help the chicken cook more quickly.
# Preheat the oven to 400F, in the meantime.
# Transfer the chicken to a plate, but continue to boil the juices so that they reduce to a thick sauce. Once the sauce looks like syrup, set it to one side for later use.
# When the chicken is cool enough to handle, remove the skin and debone it, then chop the meat.
# Mix half the reduced juices with the beaten eggs and butter; cook until the eggs are scrambled. Make sure you stir it, else that could go wrong! Set that aside, too.
# Toast the almonds in a pan, stirring frequently. The pan has to be dry for this to work.
# Once the nuts are toasted, add the remaining cinnamon and sugar.
# On a baking sheet, use overlapping filo pastry to make a square three layers thick and 18 inches across.   Spread the remaining juices in the center of the pastry.
# Cover that with the egg, and top with the chicken and almonds.
# Fold the pastry over to completely cover the filling.  Brush pastry with oil.
# Bake it at 400F for 30 minutes or until done; serve hot!
This recipe serves 6 to 8.
Category:Almond Recipes
Category:Chicken Recipes
Category:Egg Recipes
Category:Meat appetizer Recipes
Category:Moroccan Appetizers
Category:Phyllo Recipes
Category:Recipes that need photos
Category:Savory pastry appetizer Recipes