Geveret Hatach

Sumptuous Palace Feast "To Die For" 

This short article is reported to have been written by the wife of King Ahasuerus? Chamberlain Hatach, food editor of the The Persian Village Voice. Unfortunately we were only able to obtain an excerpt and not the whole megillah.

(12 Adar, Shushan) The Kingdom is still abuzz with the news of the delectable two-night private banquet commissioned by Queen Esther of Shushan for her husband, King Ahasuerus of Persia. Word has it that the idea for the feast came to the Queen while donning her royal apparel in the inner court of the palace: "I thought-heck-why not have a wine feast? The King drinks an awful lot of wine and it's been forever since I've gotten to entertain in my own house."

On the first night of feasting, Queen Esther herself presented her guests with a delectable platter of chicken with chickpeas, saffron, raisins, ginger and couscous. Even though she has thousands of servants at her beck and call, the Queen was determined to prepare the dish herself and serve it to her guests personally. On the second night the main dish was . . . chicken with chickpeas, saffron, raisins, ginger, and couscous. When asked about her menu choice, the Queen replied, "I have to be honest with you. This is the only thing I know how to cook-really. My Uncle Mordechai who sits outside the palace gates told me it is important for a girl to be able to cook one thing in the event she is not taken out to dinner."

Though the banquet was a private one-set in the Queen's chambers-a separate party was convened for the 720 runners-up of the King's beauty contest and their sponsors. 

As far as we can tell, a good time was had by all. Yet, although delighted to see that dessert was served in the shape of his hat, Haman was concerned that the braided bread, for which the Queen is the talk of the town, was served to him twisted in the shape of a noose. 

Banquet of Chicken with Chickpeas, Saffron, Raisins, Ginger and Couscous for Eight Hundred

• 400 kilograms of chickpeas (or use canned)
• 1200 cloves of garlic, halved
• salt as required
• 200 large or 400 medium chickens, about 400 kilograms in total
• 1 pound each ground ginger and pepper
• 5 handfuls pulverized saffron
• 1 pound turmeric
• 6 pounds fresh parsley, chopped fine
• 1 stick of cinnamon per chicken, about 8 cm. long
• 200 onions, chopped finely
• 2 urns olive oil
• 200 onions, sliced thinly
• 5 pounds raisins

1. Have your servants sort through the chickpeas, cover with water and soak overnight.
2. In a small bowl, make a paste of half the garlic cloves and 1kilo of salt. With this mixture, rub the chickens inside and out. Let stand 10-15 minutes and then rinse the chickens under running water. Pat dry.
3. In another bowl, combine the ginger, pepper and remaining garlic and grind to a paste. Add an urn of water and mix well. Rub the chickens inside and out with this mixture, cover and keep cold overnight.
4. Drain the chickpeas, rinse well and place in a large saucepan. Pour over fresh water to cover, bring to the boil and reduce the flame. Cover and simmer until the chickpeas are tender (about an hour).
5. Transfer the chicken to a lightly greased casserole and pour over any liquids remaining in the bowl. Add the saffron, turmeric, parsley, cinnamon, chopped onion and olive oil. Pour over 400 cups of water (or stock) and bring to the boil. Reduce the flame, cover and simmer for 1 hour, turning the chicken 4-5 times.
6. Remove the chicken and set aside to keep warm.
7. Add the sliced onion, cooked chickpeas and raisins to the casserole and cook until the onions are soft and the sauce has reduced to a thick gravy. Return the chicken to the sauce and heat through. Correct the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. To serve, transfer the chicken to a preheated unbelievably deep serving dish, spoon over the chickpeas and sauce and serve immediately with couscous made according to the directions on the box.
8. Serve with kosher wine. 

Until we eat again . . . 

Lisa

Previously on the Kosher Table

• September 2005: Review of Yi-Tzi Peking

• October 2005: Holiday Menus and Acme Kosher Marketplace

• November 2005: Maxim's Glatt Kosher Cuisine 

• January 2005: Hanukah is upon us

• February 2006: Main Line Kosher Establishments

• March 2006: Shushan Shulchan