Whole Stuffed Chicken with Spiced Spelt & Oranges

Serves: 5-6
Time: 90 mins
Difficulty: Medium

Ingredients

250g spelt grain

1 large chicken (1.7 – 2kg)

2tsp sumac

3tbs pomegranate molasses

3tbs oil

3 garlic cloves

1/2tsp fennel seeds, ground

1tsp ginger

1tsp cinnamon, ground

½ nutmeg, grated

1 orange

50g pistachio nuts, roughly chopped

20g parsley, finely chopped

20g mint, chopped

Handful pomegranate seeds

Extra herbs for garnish

Salt and pepper to taste

Method

Place the spelt in a sauce pan, cover with cold water and boil for 15-20 minutes or until soft but not overcooked.

Preheat the oven to 180C.

Place the chicken on a baking tray and rub with salt, pepper and sumac. Mix the pomegranate molasses with oil and garlic and pour over the chicken.

Mix all the spices together and add to cooked spelt grain,. Grate the zest of the orange, then slice it and add to the mixture. Add the pistachio nuts, chopped parsley and mint, season well with salt and pepper.

Stuff the bird with as much mixture as you can, leave any leftover aside and roast the chicken for 1.5 – 2 hours or till the juices from the legs run clear.

Keep adding about 50-100ml of water for basting the chicken.

20 minutes before the chicken is done, add the remaining spelt into the tray.

Serve with extra pomegranate seeds and garnish with more fresh herbs.

Tips: I used two tablespoons of coconut oil when I started to roast the bird. I added whole cranberries to the mixture, served with cucumber, dill and sour cream dip