Turkish sumac roast chicken with flatbread

For flatbread

Combine and mix the flour and salt together in a bowl and set aside. Combine the water, sugar and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, first mixing together lightly by hand. Allow the yeast mixture to sit for about 10 minutes to develop foam on the surface.

After the foam has developed, turn the stand mixer to a low speed, and slowly add the flour and salt, mixing until a dough forms and the mixture pulls together into a mass. This should take about three to four minutes. 

Form the dough into a ball and cover the mixer bowl with cling wrap. Leave in a warm place until doubled in size, about one hour.

Wet your hands first before dividing the dough into two balls. Place the balls on a baking tray covered with baking paper.

Cover the balls with a damp, clean tea towel and set aside for about 45 minutes. 

For chicken

In a large bowl, toss the chicken quarters with half of the olive oil, 3 tbsp of the sumac, half each of the allspice and cinnamon and half of the minced onions.

Add a good pinch of pepper and salt and set aside to marinate for about half an hour.

Preheat the oven to 220C. Heat a large non-stick frypan over medium-high heat and add the chicken quarters, cooking until browned on both sides, about six to eight minutes.

Transfer the chicken pieces to an open ovenproof dish or pan, skin side up. Pour over the chicken stock, and place in the oven for 30-40 minutes to cook.

If the chicken is browning too quickly, place some aluminum foil loosely across the top of the pan. The chicken should be tender and pulling from the bone when done.

Remove the pan from the oven and transfer the chicken pieces to a plate to keep warm and cover with aluminium foil. Save the pan drippings in a separate small bowl.  

Add the remaining oil to the frypan and place over a medium heat. Add the remaining onions and cook until golden brown, this should take about 20 minutes. Stir in the remaining sumac, allspice and cinnamon, also adding the chopped chilli, honey, salt and pepper to taste.

Lower heat slightly and continue to cook for another few minutes, until the mixture is dark and pasty. Transfer the onion paste to a dish. 

Wipe the frypan clean with paper towel and melt the butter over medium to high heat. Add the almonds and cook until golden, about three minutes.

Baking the bread

Increase the oven temperature to 220C. Working with one dough ball at a time, on a floured benchtop, roll the dough into a thin disk, about 24 centimetres across. Perfect circles aren't required, rustic shapes are the order of the day here.

Transfer to an oven tray lined with baking paper. Brush the dough with the reserved pan drippings and spread half the onion paste over the dough, leaving a thin border around the edge. Repeat the process with the second ball of dough. Bake until the bread is puffed and golden, about 10 minutes.

To serve, cut the flatbread into wedges and place on four plates. Arrange the chicken over the flatbread, sprinkle with the almonds and drizzle with any remaining pan juices. 

Serve with a parsley, tomato and onion salad adding a touch of mint and figs if in season.