Circassian (Çerkes) is the common name for people who came to Turkey from Southern Russia after the Russian Circassian War in 1862. Today there are around 2 million Circassians in Turkey, the largest Circassian population worldwide outside of their homeland. The Circassian women are well known for their beauty, respect for men and elders and cleverness. This dish is a modified example of the Circassian cuisine.
Actually this is a very easy version of the famous Circassian chicken paste recipe. Traditionally everything that I suggest to use a food processor for is traditionally done by hand in the original recipe. Moreover a special method is supposed to be used to extract the walnut oil and use it for this paste. The typical recipe has plenty of butter. On the other hand this recipe is very easy, much lighter and it is still very delicious. Kids and grownups love it. It is a good alternative for preparing school sandwiches and barbecue parties.
Details of how to prepare is provided in the recipe below. If you do not use all the chicken broth, you can save it to make a delicious Chicken Soup.
Enjoy.
Easy Circassian Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 2 chicken thighs without bones
- 250 grams walnuts without shell
- 4 slices white bread
- 4 cups water
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 500 millilitres water
Instructions
- Put the chicken in a pot or a pressure cooker with 500 millilitres of water and a teaspoon of salt.
- Boil and skim and discard any unwanted bubbles; if any. Cook until the chicken is very tender.
- Take out the chicken to a plate to cool. Save the broth to use later on.
- When the chicken is cool enough. Shred it finely with your fingers or using 2 forks or using a food processor. Make sure to take out any pieces of bone, skin or similar. Pieces should be all white and small as possible.
- Slowly add some chicken broth to make the mixture smooth.
- Crumble the walnuts in a food processor, but do not turn the walnuts into a powder.
- The bread should be white. Take out the corners. Crumble using a food processor.
- Mince well the garlic.
- In a bowl mix well the walnuts, the bread, the garlic and a half a teaspoon of red pepper flakes.
- Then also add the shredded chicken. Mix well. Add salt to taste.
- Add some more chicken broth if necessary.
- The mixture should be smooth and creamy, but with some texture.
- Garnish the Circassian Chicken with several walnuts and/or red pepper flakes.
- Keep it in the fridge and serve chilled.