Tajine Malsi
A rich and flavorful baked chicken and vegetable dish, often featuring a creamy sauce with eggs and cheese, showcasing a different style of Tunisian tajine than the more common egg-and-tomato versions.
🧂 Ingredients
- 600 g Chicken thighs(boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 2 medium Onions(finely chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 large Bell pepper(any color, diced)
- 400 g Tomatoes(canned diced, or fresh ripe tomatoes, chopped)
- 2 medium Potatoes(peeled and diced)
- 2 medium Carrots(peeled and diced)
- 4 large Eggs
- 100 ml Milk
- 100 g Gruyère cheese(grated)
- 1 tbsp Coriander(fresh, chopped)
- 1 tbsp Parsley(fresh, chopped)
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp Turmeric
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Paprika
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
💡 Tip: Ensure oven is fully preheated before baking. - 2
In a large oven-safe skillet or tagine base, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onions until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- 3
Add minced garlic, diced bell pepper, chicken pieces, turmeric, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes until chicken is lightly browned.
- 4
Stir in diced tomatoes, potatoes, and carrots. Add a splash of water if needed to prevent sticking.
💡 Tip: If using fresh tomatoes, cook them down slightly before adding other vegetables. - 5
Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
- 6
While vegetables cook, whisk together eggs and milk in a bowl. Stir in most of the grated cheese, chopped coriander, and parsley.
💡 Tip: Reserve some cheese and herbs for topping. - 7
Pour the egg and cheese mixture evenly over the chicken and vegetables in the skillet. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and herbs.
💡 Tip: Ensure the egg mixture covers the surface for even cooking. - 8
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the egg mixture is set and golden brown.
💡 Tip: The top should be set and slightly puffed. - 9
Let it rest for a few minutes before serving hot.
💡 Tip: Resting allows the tajine to set further.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Adjust spices to your preference.
- ✓You can add other vegetables like zucchini or peas.
- ✓Ensure your skillet or tagine base is oven-safe.
🔄 Variations
- Use lamb or beef instead of chicken.
- Add a pinch of saffron for a more luxurious flavor.
- Incorporate a tablespoon of harissa for a spicy kick.