Çerkez Tavuğu — Circassian Chicken with Walnuts

Çerkez tavuğu is a Circassian-rooted Turkish meze of poached chicken folded into a rich walnut, bread and garlic sauce.

Serves 6 | Prep 30 minutes | Cook 35 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 700 g chicken breast and thigh

• 1 onion, halved

• 1 litre water

• 200 g walnuts

• 100 g stale white bread crumb

• 2 garlic cloves

• 300 ml chicken stock, approximately

• Salt and black pepper

• 2 tbsp walnut or olive oil

• 1 tsp sweet paprika

METHOD

1. Poach chicken gently with onion and salt until cooked. Reserve the stock and shred the meat finely.

2. Grind walnuts to a coarse meal. Soak bread with a little warm stock, then squeeze lightly.

3. Blend walnuts, bread and garlic, adding stock gradually to form a thick, creamy sauce.

4. Fold in the shredded chicken and season. Spread on a platter.

5. Warm oil with paprika without burning it. Drizzle over the chicken and garnish with walnut halves.

6. Chill briefly, then serve cool rather than icy.

COOK’S NOTE

The sauce should be moist and spoonable. It thickens as the walnuts and bread absorb stock.