CHICKEN KOFTAS WITH LIME COUSCOUS RECIPES

Steps:

• Cut the eggplant into 1/2-inch-thick half-moons. Season well with salt, and let sit 30 minutes. Place the chicken in a large pot (a 10-inch, 5-quart size is ideal), and season well with salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper, ground cumin, cloves, cardamom pods and bay leaves (ideally, do this the day before). Pour 3 cups of boiling water over the rice. Soak for 10 minutes, then drain well.
• To the chicken, add the onion wedges, 1 tablespoon salt and 4 1/2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, covered, over high heat, then turn down to a simmer, and cook for 20 minutes. Drain the chicken, keeping the broth and discarding the onion and spices.
• Heat 1/2 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering hot, then fry the carrots, in batches if necessary, turning occasionally until browned, about 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels, then season lightly with salt. Repeat with the potato, about 3 minutes per side. Repeat with the cauliflower, about 7 minutes per batch. Finally, press the eggplant with paper towel until dry, then fry the eggplant in one layer until browned, about 4 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels, but don’t season. (If the eggplant is too oily, press on it with paper towels.)
• Pour out the oil, keeping 2 1/2 tablespoons in the pan. Heat it over medium-high heat and add the vermicelli, stirring until browned, about 2 minutes. Add the drained rice and cook, stirring, to dry it out, about 4 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, the turmeric, cinnamon, allspice, ground cloves, Sazón and garlic, and cook, stirring, until very fragrant.
• Place the chicken back in the pot, skin side down. Place the vegetables on top, then rice. Pour in 4 cups of the chicken broth. Press down on the rice; add more broth or water if needed to bring the liquid barely to the level of the rice. Cover the pot and bring to a boil over high heat, then turn it down to medium low. After 10 minutes, carefully stir just the rice to evenly combine the harder rice on top. Repeat after another 10 minutes. After a total of 30 minutes, the rice should be cooked, but not soft, and the liquid should be absorbed.
• Place a very large serving dish on top of the pot, then, protecting your hands (and maybe with a partner), invert the pot onto the dish in one smooth motion. If there is liquid seeping out, spoon it out or soak it up with paper towels. Let the pot rest at least 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a small pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Fry the pine nuts, stirring constantly, until browned, about 1 minute. Drain on paper towels.
• Lift off the pot to reveal the maqluba, and scatter the pine nuts all over. Serve with yogurt and chopped tomatoes, cucumbers and parsley on the side, seasoned with lemon, salt and olive oil.

Steps:

• Generously butter the sides and bottom of an 8- or 9-inch round springform pan. Line the base and the sides with parchment paper and grease again with butter. Chill pan in the refrigerator. (This helps the butter firm up and the cake release more seamlessly.)
• Start the crust: Pulse the crackers in a food processor until they’re a fine powder. Add the brown sugar and pulse to combine, then add the melted butter and pulse again until fully incorporated. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and use your fingers or a measuring cup to press it into an even layer. Freeze the pan for 10 to 15 minutes until completely chilled.
• Prepare the filling: Add 1/4 cup/60 milliliters room temperature water to a small, wide bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the water and let sit for 5 minutes, until gelatin granules swell. (There should be no dry flecks of gelatin.) Pour the 1/4 cup/60 milliliters hot water over the hydrated gelatin and stir to dissolve.
• As gelatin hydrates, add the heavy cream and 1/2 cup/100 grams sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and mix at medium speed until the cream forms stiff peaks, about 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl and set aside.
• Wipe down the stand mixer bowl and the whisk attachment. Add the cream cheese and remaining 1/2 cup/100 grams sugar, and whisk on medium-high until smooth, light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Scrape down the bowl. Add the mango pulp and lime juice, and beat on medium-low, gradually increasing the speed to medium-high once the mango is incorporated, about 2 minutes. Stop the mixer and scrape down the bowl.
• Add the gelatin mixture and whisk over medium-high until completely incorporated. Remove the bowl from the mixer. Add the whipped cream, lime zest and the cardamom. Fold the cream into the mango mixture until there are no flecks of cream. (The mixture will be very light and airy, resembling a mousse.) Pour this mango mixture over the chilled crust, and level the top with an offset spatula. Return pan to the refrigerator and chill for 30 minutes.
• As cheesecake chills, prepare the glaze: Add 1/4 cup/60 milliliters room temperature water to a small, wide bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the water and let sit for 5 minutes, until gelatin granules swell. (There should be no dry flecks of gelatin.) Pour 1/4 cup/60 milliliters hot water over the hydrated gelatin and stir to dissolve.
• In a separate medium bowl, whisk the mango pulp with the sugar. Whisk in the gelatin mixture. Add 1 teaspoon lime juice and 1 teaspoon lime zest, and whisk to thoroughly combine. Pour this mixture over the top of the cheesecake, swirl the pan to coat evenly, cover the top of the pan with plastic wrap. Refrigerate the cheesecake until the gelatin layer is completely set and firm, at least 6 hours and up to overnight.
• When ready to serve, remove the plastic wrap, and carefully release the cheesecake from the springform pan. Slice the cheesecake with a sharp, serrated knife. (For cleanest slices, wash the knife with warm water, and wipe dry with a towel between each cut.)