Fruity Baked Chicken

Bustaniyyat are medieval Abbasid dishes, which incorporate bustan ‘orchard’ produce, most probably picked and cooked in the orchards themselves. This recipe is inspired by bustaniyya, the specialty of Abu Sameen (literally ‘father of the fat one’), who was the palace chef of Abbasid Caliph al-Wathiq (d.847). In Abu Sameen’s version, chicken breasts were sliced into finger-like strips, and juice of sour green plums was added to them. When brought to a boil, spices, oil,