MOROCCAN: Chicken and Lentils

I copied several pages from Jeff's mom's cookbook at Christmas, and this recipe made me happy.

8 cups water
3 tsp sea salt, divided
1 LB dried lentils, rinsed, drained, and picked over
up to 1 cup plus 2 TBSP olive oil
1/3 cup lemon juice
3 TBSP ground cumin, divided
2 TBSP plus 2 tsp chili powder
2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1 large onion, peeled and chopped
2 LBS skinless, boneless chicken breast, thinly sliced
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro

1. Combine the water and 1 tsp salt in stock pot over high heat. Add lentils. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to medium. Simmer until lentils are soft, about an hour. Drain well. Rinse under cold water and drain well. Place in a large bowl and set aside.

2. In a small bowl, mix up to 1 cup olive oil, the lemon juice, 2 TBSP cumin, 2 TBSP chili powder, garlic, and 1 tsp sea salt. Pour half of the dressing over lentils. Save the rest for later. Toss gently and let cool.

3. In a large skillet, heat 2 TBSP olive oil. Add onion and saute until well cooked, about 5 minutes. Onion should appear dark brown and soft. Add chicken and saute 2 minutes more. Add 1 tsp sea salt, 1 TBSP cumin, 2 tsp chili powder, and cinnamon. Saute until poultry is cooked through.

4. Arrange lentils on a large serving platter. Place sliced chicken on top of lentils. Use remaining dressing and pour over chicken. Sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve at room temperature (but we ate it warm--that's the way I like it).

Adapted from The Eat-Clean Diet Cookbook by Tosca Reno