Representing Morocco, one of the many countries where the Peace Corp works, this recipe for Chicken Tagine was given to us by Fatima Akachmar (Ribat El Kheir, Morocco).

This dish is an example of a common Moroccan cuisine that is cooked in the traditional tagine cookware. Typical of many Moroccan dishes, it is full of flavorful spices and herbs.

Ingrediants:

• 1 whole roasting chicken, 3-4 pounds
• 1 preserved lemon (fresh can also be used)
• 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
• 1 head of garlic minced
• 1 bunch of fresh cilantro chopped (about 2/3 cup)
• 1 onion chopped
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon of saffron
• 1 teaspoon powdered ginger

1. Mix oil, cilantro, garlic, and onion in a small bowl.
2. Add lemon juice and spices and then stuff chicken with mixture and rind of lemon.
3. Place chicken in large saucepan in a couple inches of water.
4. Slather chicken with additional saffron, salt, pepper, and ginger as desired.
5. Cover chicken and cook until done: about 20 minutes.

Evangeline Mee is a program intern for the Peace Corp program of the 2011 Folklife Festival.