Ovrishta - Chicken with Cornelian cherries

Text size:  

Ovrishta

Cornelian cherries, or cornels, are widespread across the Caucasus and southern Russia.

They had an attractive fruity tang to this simple chicken dish, ovrishta (ovriştə).

Preparation time: 30 min
Cooking time: 40 min
Serves: 3-4

Ingredients

• 500 g/1 lb 4 oz chicken
• 50 g/2 oz clarified butter
• 2 onions
• 75 g/3 oz dried Cornelian cherries
• 1/2 tspn sugar
• salt & pepper

Preparation

• Break the chicken into 30-35 g pieces and add salt & pepper.
• Heat half the clarified butter in a heavy bottomed frying pan and fry the chicken for 8 to 10 minutes until golden.
• Soak the dried Cornelian cherries in a little water.
• Slice the onions and fry separately in the remaining butter until transparent.
• Squeeze the excess water out of the Cornelian cherries and add to the onions. Fry to for several minutes, then add the sugar and mix well.
• Add the onions and cherries to the pan of chicken pieces and mix. Simmer over a low heat until the chicken is ready.