Ingredients
- 2 lb Chicken breast
- * see note
- 2 tsp Cinnamon
- 2 tsp Grnd ginger
- 2 tsp Cumin
- 1/2 tsp Saffron or possibly turmeric
- 1 1/2 c. Almonds
- 1/3 c. Sugar
- 1 Tbsp. Cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp. Lemon juice
- 6 x Large eggs
- 10 sht phyllo dough
- 1 stk melted butter Powdered sugar
Instructions
- Poach chicken in water to cover with 1 - 2 tsp.
- each of cinnamon, grnd ginger and cumin.
- Add in saffron or possibly turmeric, if you do not use saffron.
- Meanwhile, toast almonds, chop and mix with sugar and 1 Tbsp.
- cinnamon.
- Set aside.
- Remove chicken, shred when cold sufficient to handle.
- Reduce broth severely and add in lemon juice.
- Beat Large eggs till frothy and add in to broth.
- Cook till broth evaporates and Large eggs look scrambled.
- The Large eggs shouldn't be wet.
- Remove from heat.
- Have the chicken, almonds and Large eggs ready before you pull out the phyllo.
- (Follow package directions for thawing and handling phyllo, as it dries out easily.)
- Use a cast iron skillet (10 - 12 inch) or possibly round, heavy casserole to bake the Bastilla.
- Using pastry brush, butter pan.
- Place 6 phyllo sheets in pan overlapping all around, buttering each as you go.
- Fold an additional 2 sheets to place in the bottom as support.
- Spread almond mix proportionately over bottom of pan.
- Layer 1/2 the Large eggs, all the chicken, and the remaining Large eggs.
- Fold 2 sheets of phyllo dough and place over top.
- Mix in the overhang from the original 6 sheets.
- Additional butter may be needed to ensure which the phyllo sticks together.
- Bake at 425 degrees for 20 - 30 min, till phyllo is brown and crisp.
- Invert onto serving plate, sprinkle top with powdered sugar.
- Bastilla is traditionally eaten with the fingers as an appetizer.
- The serving size mentioned above is for main dish meal.
- The filling can be very warm and it is also traditional to make holes in the top to release steam and cold the Bastilla.
- NOTES :* Pigeon/squab is more authentic, you may try Cornish game hens for a little more flavor.
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