Machboos
A well-known rice dish that can be made with chicken or beef. The inclusion of Bahrat (a specific spice combination) and Loomi adds to the dish's originality (dried lime). The Bharat provides a flavor explosion in your mouth, while the Loomi adds just the appropriate amount of zing to the dish. Rice, chicken, or meat are frequently cooked all at the same time, giving the rice a distinct flavor. To finish, the rice is topped with a rose water and saffron mixture and served with a side of Daqoos, a green chili-based sauce.
Ingredients
- Full, skin-on chicken leg – or if you are making a larger batch you can buy a full chicken and cut it up., Rice – white basmati rice works best, Raisins, Onion – use brown or white onion and slice thinly, Garlic – one clove, minced, Canola oil or vegetable oil
Instructions
- Loomi – this is basically dried, black lime. If you can’t find it you can try making it – or you can substitute for a tsp of lime juice instead
- Cardamom pods – cut a small slit into the side of each pod to help it release the flavour
- Spice mix – traditionally this recipe uses an Arabic spice mix called baharat or bezar, in addition to some other spices used for this recipe. However, to make this recipe a little simpler and more accessible I use one spice mix for this recipe throughout rather than having to make one mix and then add another load of spices on top of that.
