2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 medium onions peeled, each cut into 6 wedges, root end intact
4 bay leaves
4 large cloves garlic, crushed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup good quality pitted large green olives
5 tablespoons butter
4 Meyer lemons or organic lemons, 2 sliced, 1 zested and juiced, plus 1 juiced
1 generous pinch saffron threads, 12 to 15 threads
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 quart homemade or store-bought chicken stock
1 1/2 teaspoons turmeric, half a palmful
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin, half a palmful
1 pinch ground cinnamon
1 1/2 to 2 pounds poached chicken, diced or shredded
1/4 cup pine nuts
1 1/2 cups couscous
1/4 cup finely chopped mint leaves
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley leaves