Harissa and orange chicken kebabs

These kebabs have a delicious Middle Eastern or North African flavour.  The things that stand out are the harissa in the marinade and the carrots with orange.

Preparation Time: 20 Mins

Cooking Time: 15 Mins

Total Time: 8 Hrs

Ingredients

For 2 servings…

4                    Chicken thighs  - boned          

For the marinade

75 gms            Yoghurt     

2 tsp               Harissa     

¼ tsp             Cumin  - ground      

½                   Orange     

1 clove            Garlic  - crushed      

                     Pepper      

                     Salt          

1 tbs               Olive oil    

For the carrots

2                    Carrots     

2 tbs               Mint  - chopped       

2 tbs               Coriander  - chopped 

                     Pepper      

                     Salt          

3 tbs               Olive oil    

Method

Cut the chicken thighs each into four pieces.

In a mixing bowl large enough to hold the chicken, mix together the yogurt, harissa and cumin.  Finely grate in the zest of the orange and squeeze in the juice from half of it.  Add the garlic.  Season with salt and pepper and mix in the olive oil.  Stir in the chicken pieces, so they are well coated.  Cover the bowl and leave in a fridge to marinate for at least three hours or overnight, if possible.

Mix together the carrots, mint and coriander leaves.  Squeeze over the juice of the remaining half orange.  Season generously and pour over the olive oil.  Toss together and set aside.

Thread the chicken on to four skewers - not pushing the pieces too close together so they have a chance to cook through.

Heat a grill or get a barbecue ready to cook.

Cook the skewers for 6-8 minutes on each side, turning once, until crusted on the outside and cooked through.  Transfer the chicken skewers to a plate and then serve them with the herby carrots and possibly with flatbreads, yogurt and pickles.

Wine recommendations

A rustic red or a white wine.

Conventional

     Gamay de Loire

Interesting

     Beaujolais Villages

     Côtes du Rhône rouge or blanc

     Gaillac

     Mâcon