Gambian Chicken with Lemon and Mustard (Yassa)
Yassa is a Gambian dish of chicken or fish cooked in a sharp marinade of lemon, mustard and a great many onions. The marinade does double duty, first soaking flavor into the meat and then becoming the sauce, so nothing is wasted. The onions are the point here, collapsing into a tangy, glossy blanket. Browning the meat before the simmer adds depth, and a long rest in the fridge makes it better.
Instructions
Put the sliced onions in a large bowl with the lemon juice, oil, mustard, garlic, thyme, paprika, black pepper and salt. Stir until the onions are well coated in the marinade.
Add the chicken or fish and turn the pieces until they are covered all over. Cover the bowl and chill it for at least 2 hours, or overnight if you have the time.
Lift the meat out of the bowl and keep the onions and liquid for later. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the pieces on all sides until they are cooked through, then set them aside.
In the same skillet, cook the onions from the marinade until they turn soft and translucent.
Return the meat to the pan and pour the rest of the marinade over it. Lower the heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes so the sauce and meat take on each other's flavor.
Taste, and add more salt and pepper if it needs it. Serve hot with steamed rice, couscous or bread.
Better meat, delivered.
Premium cuts shipped to your door. Skip the grocery store and cook with quality you can taste.
Shop Meatzy →Affiliate link · PicksByRecipe may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
