CHICKEN BREASTS STUFFED WITH FIGS & SPINACH – Serves 2 - 3
2 skinless chicken breasts
6 tsp sesame oil
¼ cup chopped dried figs
1 ½ tsp saffron threads
1/8 tsp cumin seeds (or to taste)
½ medium onion, finely chopped (I used a red one)
150g bag baby spinach
¼ tsp cayenne pepper (used 1/8 tsp)
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tsp grated fresh ginger
½ cup tomato puree (I blitzed 3 romas in TM,
1 min/speed 8, and used all of it)
1 tsp raw sugar
¼ cup cream
dollop caramelised garlic paste (Tenina’s)
dollop sundried tomato pesto (Tenina’s)
3 tsp fresh coriander, chopped for garnish
Heat half the sesame oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add figs and saffron and stir fry for a min or so, you will see the figs change colour (lighter).
Add cumin seeds and chopped onions and stir fry gently until tender.
Turn down heat to low and drop in the spinach. Toss with tongs until wilted.
Stir in cayenne pepper and salt to taste. Turn off the heat and allow to cool until needed.
Place a chicken breast on a piece of clingfilm on the bench. Top with another piece of clingfilm and using a rolling pin or similar, pound out the chicken until flattened. Repeat with the other breast.
Spread the stuffing over each flattened breast and wrap and roll over the stuffing. Secure with toothpicks.
Place the chicken in a baking dish and put aside for the moment. Don’t clean the sauté pan.
Preheat the oven 180C.
Heat remainder of the sesame oil in same sauté pan over medium - low heat.
Add ginger and cook for a few secs until aromatic, add garlic and cook for only 20-30 secs.
Add tomato puree, sugar, garlic paste and sundried tomato pesto, giving it all a good stir.
Take pan off heat and add cream, stirring in. Put back on heat and cook until sauce is thick and smooth.
Pour all the tomato sauce over the breasts and place dish in the oven.
Bake for approx 4O minutes, basting occasionally with the sauce if needed. (mine didn’t need it).
Slice the breasts on an angle, spoon over some of the sauce from the dish and garnish with chopped coriander if you like (I didn't bother).
