Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Celebration: Moroccan-ish Chicken Stew with Dates and Olives (Plus Giveaway)

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-Changes may or may not involve stewed dates.-

I don't really ever adapt well to change. I mean, I adapt eventually, but often not without a good fight. Forget kicking and screaming. I'm usually attempting to chew the face off of whoever or whatever seems to be trying to get me to change some major aspect of my life.

However, when I myself am to blame, then said face chewing can be somewhat problematic (not to mention mandible-ly impossible).

I recently started a new job, and by recently I mean it happened all of the sudden with an interview, call back, and letter of resignation slash acceptance. Bam! Like lightning. I wasn't even looking, but when two friends call with what can only be described as near apocalyptic urgency insisting that you fire off a resume that would surely "make the heavenly Human Resources choir begrudgingly applaud,"it's wise to simply do just that.

And so I went into the interview and chatted with the Executive Director. It was an odd meeting. We talked shop, yes, and I so can talk it. However, conversation veered towards my stints working in the restaurant biz. She mentioned her husband was a chef at a rather famous Greek restaurant in Sacramento and ten minutes later we were trading recipes for grilled octopus. I left feeling that even if I didn't get the job that I at least knew a good trick to properly massage an octopus in order to make it tender, so yayness there.

I was called back in for a second interview where the rest of the employees (there are only nine) would grill me on their own terms. I faked a doctor's appointment at work and changed into my wedding suit in the car because I have no other suit and sat to a rather intimidating panel in a somewhat grandiose meeting room. The meeting room reminded me of the dinner scene in the first Batman film with Michael Keaton where Bruce Wayne and Ms. Vale sit at that huge table.

I did well. Very well.

I had a feeling it was all cinched when I brushed over my culinary background and assured them all that I was amazing at office potlucks. They all nodded and agreed that there was no room for premade dishes from a deli counter here.

So today was my first day. I think it went rather swimmingly even if I was rather uncomfortable in my new shoes, shirt, belt, socks, and 007 suave gunmetal tie. Still, I looked rawkin'. And me complimenting my looks is saying something. (My ego is part bravado, part truth. You may freely guess which it is at any time of your liking in your future interactions with me.)

Anywhose, I think I'll like it there. I'm no longer at the adoption agency working with children and families. I will miss that immensely. But I was overqualified in a way that the space shuttle crew being hired by FedEx would be overqualified. And that one isn't ego. Those are the words of my HR director the day she hired me at my old job.

Here? I feel like my skills and degree will be put to practical use. These skills also include my cooking abilities and they've made that abundantly clear. It is, in fact, a reason they hired me. So yay. Big yay.

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-Now I just have to follow that claim up.-

This is all lovely because I plan to celebrate with a little special something I've recently come up with. I've sort of coined it as my little celebration dish. A little something sweet, savory, and salty to declare a big, "Hell yes!" to the world when good changes finally come your way.

The dish is simple: chicken thighs stewed with dates, olives, and tomatoes in a heady aromatic broth swirled with cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, ginger, and black pepper. Moroccan-ish, I suppose. Maybe even Moorish, though I had something similar in Turkey once so call it what you will.

I call it tasting of success.

The dates were sent to me by Cindy Tullues of Bard Valley Natural Delights Medjool Dates. Now, I'm a fan of dates. They go on my pizzas, into breads, cookies, and even mashed into steaming bowls of oatmeal. If I'm feeling rather clever I'll also stuff them with cheese, coat them in panko, and deep fry them because why the hell not?

Now, I don't do a lot of plugging on this site. They asked if they could send me a sample and I said yes because I have a nostalgic soft spot for them. This post and statement is of my own accord and my accord says this:

Holy balls. These are the best dates I've ever had.

And that's all.

Yes, they are superfood healthy with fiber, potassium, manganese, low glycemic index, and so on and so forth. And that's wonderful, really, I read the material they sent and it was vastly informative. But the taste and texture... that is the seller.

Most dates I buy are usually pitted and, therefore, dry and dessicated. Little more than mummified fruit. These dates (with pits) are luscious, plump, chewy, and have body. Fragrant of maple syrup and tasting of brown sugar with whispers of (strangely enough) anise.

They're epic. Plus, the natural sugar is more than enough to flavor the stew. They make it floral, molasses-y, and so incredible sweet. Most stews of this sort requires a slug of honey, but the dates do just enough. Suave and silky they hit the spot and make this dish - like a new job - one worth celebrating.

Now, I have enough dates to last a lifetime as they were more than generous. To spread the wealth I'll be sending a swanky prize package of dates and date products (like date rolls wrapped in crushed pistachios, almonds, and coconut) to a lucky reader. Just leave a comment with note about your favorite way to cook or serve dates. That's it. Contest closes at 12PM PST on October 12, 2012. United States residents only. The winner will be announced on October 16. The winner will need to email me an address to send the prize to.

Good luck, ya'll. However, I encourage you to go find this brand of dates. Really. Do it. Be one of the cool kids for once.

Garrett out.

Moroccan-ish Chicken Stew with Dates and Olives
Serve 6

4 tablespoons peanut oil, divided
2 pounds chicken thighs, boneless
1 large onion, halved and sliced
3 garlic cloves, crushed
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup freshly grated ginger
1 14-oz can crushed tomatoes
1/2 lemon, thinly sliced, rind and all
1 cup green olives (go high end on this, seriously)
1 cup chopped Medjool dates, chopped, pits discarded
1 tablespoon honey
1 cup chicken broth (homemade preferred, but whatevs)

1. Place 3 tablespoons of the peanut oil in a large stock pot over medium high heat. Working in batches sear the chicken thighs until golden brown and set aside.

2. Add the rest of the peanut oil, onions, and garlic. Cook until the onions begin to sear a bit and take some color. Reduce heat to medium. Add the cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, turmeric, salt, black pepper, and ginger and cook for about thirty seconds. Add the rest of the ingredients and be sure to scrape up the goodness at the bottom of the pot.

3. Bring to a boil, then simmer and cover for about 45 to 60 minutes. Serve over rice.

63 comments:

  1. Hooray for the new job!(And new book and new husband. I like the way things are playing out.) Usually, I just pop dates like candy. When I'm feeling crafty, I like stuffing them with goat cheese, wrapping them in bacon, and baking them in the oven. I also love chopping them up in oats, or porridge.

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  2. I've only used dates in bread, so I'd love to try them in other recipes.

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  3. processed with nuts and other dried fruit into little morsels of awesomeness.

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  4. Dates? I love dates! (...and of course your blog.) My favorite use of dates is a long held family holiday cookie recipe. You begin with a thinly rolled shortbread-ish dough and then spread a thick layer of dates that have been cooked down to a delicious spread (that sometimes just doesn't make it to the cookie dough). Once that is accomplished, roll the cookie dough up around the spread (think roulade). Cool it down and thinly slice it into pinwheels. Once baked is is date heaven...not too sweet and insanely addictive.

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  5. When I was in college I had a friend from Kuwait and she showed my how to eat dates stuffed with almonds and dipped in tahini.

    As a child my mom made these special Christmas cookies that were made from dates and rice crispies.

    Sticky Toffee Pudding is one of my favorite cakes and is of course made with dates.

    And I have always wanted to try Devils on Horseback, dates filled with cheese wrapped in bacon and broiled.

    If I win these dates, I am immediately making Devils on Horseback with them if I can stop from eating them plain. I am making this stew recipe this week, as I have dates in the house right now.

    I think the cookies are my fave though, probaby because childhood Christmas cookies are always the best thing ever.

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  6. Congratulations on the new job! It is always nice to use the skills and knowledge you have on a regular basis.

    As for dates, like Sam above I stuff them with things like smoked almonds, regular almonds, parm, romano or pepper jack cheese and hot peppers and wrap them in bacon and bake/roast until the bacon is crispy. This is one of my New Year's eve specials.
    I also love, love, love date nut bread. It is one of my favorite quick breads and I always double the dates.

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  7. Stuffed with an almond, dipped in bittersweet chocolate and sprinkled with orange zest. Yum!

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  8. Favorite way to cook dates? Probably totally cliche, but stuffed with goat cheese, wrapped with prosciutto and then broiled. To die for.

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  9. Mmm, the best way I've used dates so far has been in snack-bar loaves along with dried apricots, dried berries and assorted nuts. I also love them in my toasted steel-cut oatmeal. I've got Big Plans to try out some more adventurous recipes, but you are so right about pitted dates tending towards awful dryness! ...Congrats on the new job!

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  10. Wooohooo congrats on the new job!! I love sprinkling dates over a lentil almond stirfry with brussel sprouts (strange, I know, but it works). Though date spice loaf season is soon to be here too.

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  11. Congratulations on the new job. The stew looks like it was the perfect celebratory meal.
    I like to stuff dates with peanuts and roll them in coconut. It was one of my mom's go-to Christmas party foods.

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  12. Congratulations on hitting the jackpot. I enjoy plopping my chopped up dates in a mason jar of overnight oatmeal brimming with chia seeds. It's a superconcentrated cocktail of fiber and "get the fuck out of my way" vitamins so I can barrel through my corporate job and go to grad classes at night like a smartypants Deadpool. I'll also eat them in a brussel sprouts slaw with lemons, hazlenuts and prosciutto at the office, because let's face it: no one's going to want to steal that from the office fridge.

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    1. Wow - you sound intense. You are right - no one will steal THAT!

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    2. Wow - you sound intense. You are right - no one would steal THAT!

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  13. I usually stuff dates with goat and blue cheese, but I'm not sure I could resist just popping these in my mouth! I have trouble finding good dates and with the entertaining season upon us, it's good to know about these. Do you have purchase information on these little beauties?

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  14. Congrats on the new job! I haven't made this dish in forever, but my grandfather used to cook a roast in this huge pot with a lid and he'd mix up a date cake in a pan. The trick was he balanced the cake pan on top of the roast and then put the lid on the big pot so the cake would bake/steam with the roast. Then my grandma would serve the cake with homemade whipped cream...oh now I need to dig that pot out and make this stat.

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  15. If they're good dates, then straight from the bag! My favorite dessert by far. But I don't often have dates that nice around, so my other favorite is a date-whole wheat scone with walnuts. Yes! Next on my list is warm dates in Greek yogurt.

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  16. I'm not a huge date fan. Moroccan food is delish though. Maybe I would like these? ;-)

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  17. I use dates with coconut milk as a coffee creamer. Put a can of coconut milk in the blender with 3 dates and a splash of your favorite extract; blend away. Heaven and super healthy.

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  18. Congratulations on the new job! The stew sounds lovely. My favourite use for dates is in Harira - a lovely spicy lentil soup.

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  19. I just bought a box of these dates last week! They are really quite excellent. I thought I was buying pitted ones, which I was going to put in my lunch, but these are better, if a little messier to eat. I don't use dates a lot, but I was thinking of putting them in some oatmeal one of these mornings. I also like to make a beef and prune tagine, and I think I might swap out some or all of the prunes for dates to mix it up.

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  20. I love eating dates, but I don't think I've ever cooked with them. I would probably try a Moroccan recipe as well, maybe the one in your post!

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  21. You dates make excellent sweet and sour chutney, I love them. My hubby eat just like that. This stew looks delicious. Congrats on your new job. I think you can shine this job and in future you are going to owner of a restaurant

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  22. I think I would made some delicious Gluten Free pumpkin muffins and put pieces of the dates in there, or make home made Larabars!!!
    congrats on the new job and the Wedding!! You both looked DASHING!!

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  23. Ooh. OOOH. I usually just eat them with cheese, but that Devils On Horseback idea is calling my name.

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  24. Two ways vie for my favorite use of dates. One, a riff on how my grandmother used to make them. Split them open and slather some cashew butter across the inside, then microwave slightly to get the warm gooey sensation without heating up the oven.

    Two, cook on the stove turning into a "jam" flavored with a bit of maple syrup. Then top a good piece of homemade bread with smoked blue cheese. Melt briefly, then top with the jam.

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  25. Hmm cooking with dates? Usually I don't get that far, preferring to just eat handfuls out of the bag.

    Stuffed, wrapped in bacon and broiled is a favorite as is a date smoothie. I love the little chewy bits like getting a topical pearl in your tea.

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  26. Maybe it's a bit simple, but I love dates stuffed with creamy goat cheese and put under the broiler. Sometimes I get fancy and wrap them in bacon. Simple...but delicious!

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  27. I remember the first time I had a date a colleague brought back from Qatar. I only had one and I still think about how good it was. I think I'll keep an eye out for these regardless to see how they measure up :) I normally eat dates plain or with a little brie and almonds.

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  28. Good luck in your new job. My favorite way to eat dates is straight up. But, after your suggestion, I will try them in oatmeal.

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  29. This is a toss-up between my all-time favorite cake (honey carob cake with date frosting-- basically just dates, butter, carob, and milk blended together. Just try it, trust me) and my "famous" oatmeal: no sugar added, just chop up dates into the water, boil, add oats, nuts, and flaxseed meal. This has converted many a self-proclaimed oatmeal-hater.

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  30. This sounds delicious!! My favorite way to do dates: stuffed with a good tangy, creamy blue cheese, wrapped in bacon and grilled. I'm not sure how you can go wrong with those three ingredients, any way you combine them!

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  31. It's an oldie but goodie: bacon-wrapped dates - preferably stuffed with blue cheese. So simple and guests are always impressed!

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  32. If you like dates, try some Black Sphinx ones if you can ever get your hands on them. They're grown locally here in Phoenix (some in a 50s housing development!) and they're creamy as all get out and made of magic. A local favorite is stuffing them with chorizo and lightly grilling - yum!

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  33. In a smoothie or Broccoli salad with almond and chile dressing (Whole Foods Market website)

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  34. Odd man out - I really hate dates - although I think I'd like to try your recipe (without dates of course). Should I sub something else or just forget it? I must be really weird - I think everyone loves dates except me :(

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  35. I use them to make my own Larabar clones :)

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  36. Congratulations on the new job, sometimes it's so wonderful how things all fall together. I recently tried bacon wrapped dates, and I loved them. I have never had dates that I have enjoyed, so I was presently surprised by the amount of flavor these dates had. They were yummalicious. Your stew looks wonderful, I will have to try my hand at it.

    Becca

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  37. I love them plain, but also wrapped in bacon.

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  38. Straight out of the package. Does that count? Alternately, my mother's date nut bread is the highlight of the holidays for me.

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  39. I had dates simply sauteed with salt and pepper the other night and they were delicious.

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  40. stuffed with mascarpone, warmed, with a sprinkle of fleur de sel

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  41. Usually I just pop 'em, but when in the mood for a quick dessert I like to stuff them with a mixture of cream cheese, powdered sugar
    and lemon juice. Then decorate 'em with sliced or slivered almonds.

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  42. Stuffed with goat cheese, wrapped with a fine salami, and toasted. Second favourite is an oatmeal date scone recipe which I love to bake on the weekend and freeze for weekday teatime.

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  43. Congratulations on the job!

    I'm currently doing the job hunt thing. I'm waiting to hear back from a crazy big panel about a dreamy baking job. Wish me luck!

    As for the dates, I also smash them into oatmeal... and my face. Because dates are stupid delicious.

    But oatmeal is awkward at picnics so I make this killer vegan spice cake with dates and crushed pistachios when feeding people other than myself.

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  44. Congrats on the new job, Garrett! You're one of those people that do well at anything you do :)

    Fave date recipe: soak 'em over night in water, then puree them with a frozen banana, almond milk and almond butter. Date smoothie :)

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  45. Congratulations on the new job! I have always eaten dates like candy until this wedding I had the pleasure of attending this summer served them stuffed and wrapped in bacon. Yum. The only Moroccan dish I attempted was the chicken dish Elise made on her sight. This seems similar yet sweeter.

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  46. I like using dates to create nut balls - any version works, but my favorite is dates, peanut butter, and peanuts for a little texture along with some spices.

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  47. Garrett, I've just popped over from G+. Congratulations on your new employment! I've yet to explore the virtues of dates (beyond date shakes from roadside stands in Palm Desert), but the delightful dish you've presented sounds like a good starting point.

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  48. Dates, pitted and stuffed with pulverized slightly toasted almonds blended with butter and rose water

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  49. I love dates and a tall glass of cold buttermilk. The contrast of the warm, mellow sweetness and the cold dairy tang just go well together! It's how my dad ate them, and how I was introduced to them, and to me, they go together like cookies and milk!

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  50. Dates are pure deliciousness. I stuff dates with peacans and coconut and then roll them in powdered sugar... or just eat them plain. I've also used them in a chicken dish that's a lot like this, minus the tomatoes.

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  51. I have only ever tried to cook with them once. I wrapped them in procuitto and roasted them with some tomato wedges and chicken legs. I was wishing that I would have thrown some olives in as well because that would have sent it over the top.

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  52. Oddly, it's kind of hard to find dates around here. We'd just eat them raw or with a cheese plate when we could get them, but my roommates and I recently went to a Moroccan restaurant where I had something that looked similar to this. I'd never even considered using them in a more savory dish! Maybe I'll have to locate some more... This might become my new favorite!

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  53. Congratulations on the new job! I have never ever used dates. I just never think of them. But now you have got me thinking of them. All I know about dates are Granny's Date Nut Rolls. She is 83 now. She has made them every year since I was little. I never really liked them. Even if I don't win I will buy some good dates and come up with something wonderful!

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  54. Yay new job! Also, wow major life changes.

    I, personally, have never prepared dates. They get snacked on too quickly to make it into anything.

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  55. I like it with breads amazing taste during rain .

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  56. I've done something with dates and goat cheese--and bacon? I'd love to try your recipe.

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  57. I haven't made anything really elaborate with dates, because I always eat them too quickly. Recently, though, I've started making oatmeal with some cut-up/slightly mashed (accidentally) dates and dried apricots in it, with a splash of coconut milk when I have it. It's really delicious, and easy enough I can actually make it in the morning before I've had my coffee.

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  58. I made the recipe tonight. Unique flavor. The lemon rind in particular produced a taste I hadn't expected. Liked it. I'd definitely serve it to guests. Don.

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Hey, you're leaving a comment! That's pretty darn cool, so thanks. If you have any questions or have found an error on the site or with a recipe, please e-mail me and I will reply as soon as possible.
~Garrett