I made this for the first time when a friend was visiting from Taiwan and I wanted to make something that I could make in the slow cooker and not have to stand in the kitchen in the hot Indian summer. Instead of using the oven, I use the slow cooker. I don’t use too much oil either. Also, I use a mix of vegetable oil and olive oil so that the dish stays light, but has a lovely flavour.

Ingredients

(Serves 4)

Chicken 6 leg pieces without skin
Chilli flakes 4 tbsps
Oregano dried 8 tbsps
Rice 2 cups
Onion 1 large chopped
Spring onions 2, chopped
Capsicum 2, chopped
Garlic 5 cloves, chopped
Sausages 6, chopped
Tomatoes 2 large, cubed
Olives stuffed with pimento 10
Coriander leaves chopped
Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp
Red chilli powder 2 tsp
Pepper powder 1 tsp
Vegetable oil 3 tbsp
Olive oil 2 tbsp
Salt to taste
Saffron 3 strands
Lemon 2 cut into circles or wedges
Water as needed

Method

Wash the rice and soak it for 15 minutes. I use Basmati rice as the long grained rice retains its shape and gives out a wonderful aroma when cooked.

Wash the chicken and pat dry. Coat with 3 tablespoonfuls of oregano, the chilli flakes and salt.

Take a heavy bottomed pot. I use a cast iron pot like from Le Creuset. Add the oils. I use Sundrop vegetable oil as I find it least greasy. Fry the chicken on high flame to seal in the flavours. Fry each side for about a minute.

Take the chicken out and in the same pan fry the chopped sausages. You can use any sausage for this though I find the Nuremberger sausage adds a lovely herb flavour to the dish.

Add the onions and spring onions and saute for a few minutes. Add the capsicum and garlic. Saute for two minutes.

Drain the soaked rice and add to the pot. Add the rest of the oregano, pepper powder and tomatoes. Add salt. Mix well.

Add 2 cups of water. Add the saffron strands. Arrange the fried chicken legs on top. Cover and cook on a slow fire till the water is completely absorbed and the rice is cooked.

At this stage you can transfer the whole to a slow cooker and cook on Auto.

Once the rice is cooked, add the olives and coriander leaves. Cook for another two minutes on low heat.

Switch off the heat and let the pot stand for five minutes.

Serve hot with dinner rolls and a green salad.