This is again a very simple recipe, but creates the perfect explosion of flavors- the buttery onions, garlic and eggplant; the sourness of the lemon and tomatoes; the saltiness of olives and sweetness of dates and the aromas of all the herbs to bring it all together. The chicken and potatoes bring richness and nourishment.
Vegetarians can skip the chicken and add goats cheese and eggplant!
I could eat this dish every day because when you change the sides you add (look in the optional section) you get a completely different range of flavors. I have sometimes divided everything in two trays and varied what I add to the chicken- chili for spice lovers and eggplant with dates for a sweeter option.
This truly is the recipe where you use whatever you have t make a dish- it creates a surprise every time. I hope the surprise is a good one though :)

6 pieces of chicken, drumsticks or thighs
6 small new potatoes
2 handfuls of green olives with the pits
Handful of cherry tomatoes
8 garlic cloves
2 small onions
½ lemon
Herbs like thyme, parsley or sage
Salt and pepper
Olive oil

Optional: chili, dates, carrots, eggplant, capers, sun dried tomatoes, pumpkin, etc.
If you decide to use the eggplant- it must be cut in large pieces, salted and left for 20-30 min, then rinse and pat dry. Cook in olive oil on the pan along with the chicken.

1. Wash and pat the chicken dry, put salt and pepper on, rub it in.
2. Wash all the veggies and maybe cut the potatoes if necessary, cut the onion in 4 segments. Squeeze out the seeds of the cherry tomatoes in a bowl. Cut the half lemon in 4 segments.
3. In a large pan with a removable handle (if you don’t have one, just transfer everything after cooking to a deep oven dish) cook the chicken in olive oil until nice and golden on both sides.
4. When the chicken is almost done, add pressed garlic cloves, the onion and lemon to the pan. At the very end add the olives, herbs and cherry tomatoes. Just cook a little longer and stir together.
5. Heat the oven to 200 degrees (celsius).
6. Add the potatoes to the pan or if the pan isn’t suitable for the oven- transfer everything to a deep oven dish. Transfer everything to a larger dish also when you just have more of everything and it is a larger portion.
7. Place in the oven and cook until chicken and potatoes are ready.

Recipe: Ārija Avota
Photo: Oto Avots

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