Persian chicken with saffron and cardamon

Royal chickens destined for Indian palace tables were massaged with musk oil and sandalwood and fed on pellets infused with saffron and rose water, so the flavours permeated the flesh of the birds. Our more humble chickens - lacking the spa treatment - haven’t had that kind of life, but the rule that what goes in must come out still applies, so do buy the best bird you can afford. I have included black cumin in tins recipe. If you can’t find any, just use normal cumin. Black cumin is also k