Cooking saffron chicken in a rural-style clay oven in a village setting can be a delightful and unique experience. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make a simple clay oven and prepare saffron chicken:<br /><br />1. Building the Clay Oven:<br />Creating a clay oven requires some basic materials that can typically be found in rural areas:<br /><br />Materials:<br /><br />Clay soil (found in the surroundings)<br />Sand<br />Straw or dried grass<br />Water<br />Large flat stone or metal sheet for the base<br />Rocks or bricks<br />Steps:<br /><br />Choose a suitable location for the oven, preferably near an open area where smoke won't be an issue.<br />Mix the clay soil, sand, and water together to form a thick, malleable clay dough.<br />Add chopped straw or dried grass into the clay mixture to increase its tensile strength.<br />Shape the clay mixture into a dome-like structure, leaving an opening in the front for the oven's mouth.<br />Use rocks or bricks to support the dome shape and maintain its structure.<br />Allow the clay oven to air-dry for a few days until it becomes solid and hard.<br />2. Preparing the Saffron Chicken:<br />Now that the clay oven is ready, let's proceed with preparing the saffron chicken:<br /><br />Ingredients:<br /><br />Chicken pieces (you can use your preferred cuts, like drumsticks or thighs)<br />Saffron threads<br />Yogurt<br />Olive oil<br />Garlic (crushed)<br />Salt and pepper to taste<br />Lemon juice<br />Optional: Other spices like cumin, coriander, and paprika for added flavor<br />Steps:<br /><br />In a bowl, mix the saffron threads with a few tablespoons of warm water. Let it steep for a few minutes to release the flavor and color.<br />In a separate bowl, combine the yogurt, olive oil, crushed garlic, salt, pepper, and any additional spices you desire. Mix well.<br />Add the saffron water and a splash of lemon juice to the yogurt mixture. Stir until the marinade is well-combined.<br />Coat the chicken pieces thoroughly with the saffron-yogurt marinade. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 2-3 hours or preferably overnight, refrigerated.<br />3. Cooking the Saffron Chicken:<br />Now it's time to cook the marinated saffron chicken in the clay oven:<br /><br />Steps:<br /><br />Light a fire inside the clay oven and let it burn for a while to heat the walls and base of the oven.<br />Once the oven is sufficiently heated, use a long-handled brush or cloth to remove any ashes from the base.<br />Place the marinated chicken on a skewer or directly on the oven's base, depending on the size of the pieces and the setup of your oven.<br />Keep a close eye on the chicken and turn it occasionally to ensure even cooking and to avoid burning.<br />The chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the juices run clear.<br />Take the succulent saffron chicken out of the oven and serve it with rice, bread, or salad.<br />Enjoy your delicious saffron chicken cooked in a rustic, rural-style clay oven – a delightful experience that connects you to traditional cooking methods and the simple pleasures of village life!
