with Lemon Almond Rice & Harissa-Roasted Carrots

Yield: 2

Chicken cutlet seasoned with a Turkish spice blend of cumin, garlic, coriander, allspice, and chili flakes, served with a jammy, buttery apricot sauce and pair it all with sweet-smoky-tangy harissa-roasted carrots and almond-studded rice.
Prep: 10 Cook: 40

• 12oz carrots
• 1TBS harissa powder
• 10oz chicken cutlets
• 1oz chicken stock concentrate
• 2scallions
• 1lemon
• ½oz sliced almonds
• ½cup basmati rice
• 1TBS Turkish spice blend
• 1oz apricot jam
• salt & pepper
• 2tsp olive oil
• 2tsp cooking oil
• 1TBS butter

Prep:

Adjust rack to top position and preheat oven to 425°F. Wash and dry produce.

Trim, peel, and cut carrots into sticks (like fries, ours were 3 inches long and 1⁄3 inch thick). Trim and thinly slice scallions, separating whites from greens. Zest and quarter lemon.

Roast carrots:

Toss carrots on a baking sheet with a drizzle of oil, ¼ tsp harissa powder, and a big pinch of salt and pepper. (Be sure to measure the harissa powder – we sent more.)

Tip: For easy cleanup, line your baking sheet with foil or parchment paper before adding the carrots.

Roast on top rack until lightly browned and tender, 15-20 minutes.

Tip: Give the carrots a taste after roasting and add a pinch more harissa powder if you like things spicy.

Toast nuts & cook rice:

Meanwhile, heat a small dry pot over medium-high heat. Add almonds and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly toasted, 2- to 4-minutes. Turn off heat, transfer to a small bowl. Wipe out pot.

Heat a drizzle of oil in same pot over medium-high heat. Add half the scallion whites and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 1 minute.

Stir in rice, ¾ cup water, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to a low simmer. Cook until rice is tender,15-18 minutes. Keep covered off heat until ready to serve.

Cook chicken:

While rice cooks, pat chicken dry with paper towels, season all over with half the Turkish Spice Blend, salt, and pepper.

Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, 3- to 5-minutes per side.

Turn off heat, transfer chicken to a plate to rest. Wipe out pan.

Make sauce:

Heat a drizzle of olive oil in same pan over medium heat. Add remaining scallion whites, cook, stirring, until softened, 1 minute.

Stir in jam, stock concentrate, ¼ cup water, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Simmer until thickened, 3- to 5-minutes more.

Turn off heat, stir in 1 TBS butter until melted. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

Tip: Stir in a splash more water if sauce seems too thick.

Finish & serve:

Fluff rice with a fork, stir in toasted almonds and lemon zest to taste. Season with salt and pepper.

Divide chicken, rice, and carrots between plates. Spoon sauce over chicken. Garnish with scallion greens and serve with any remaining lemon wedges on the side.

Turkish Spice Blend

2          parts cumin

2          parts garlic powder

1          part ground coriander

¼         part ground allspice

¼         part chili flakes