Bahraini Machboos

SpiceBreeze

Machboos or Majboos is claimed to be the national dish of the Kingdom of Bahrain. It is full of Arabian flavors. Different from other baharat spice blends, Omani baharat includes dried limes and roses. Dried limes, also called Loomi, Omani limes, or black limes, are an important ingredient in the cuisine around the Persian Gulf. No other lemon has this heavenly sweet-tangy citrus flavor.

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Hands-on Time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine Bahraini

Servings

Ingredients

2 lb chicken drumsticks
2 large tomatoes chopped
2 tbsp chopped cilantro or parsley
8 oz carrots shredded
2 cups hot chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup Basmati rice
1 large onion finely chopped
4 cloves garlic grated
1 inch ginger grated
2-3 lemon for juice
butter & oil
salt & pepper

Machboos Culinary Spice Kit

Pouch [1] Omani limes, roses, turmeric, cinnamon, paprika, cardamom, cloves, coriander, nutmeg
Pouch [2] Cardamom

Optional

1 green chile finely chopped
lemon wedges
dates
red onions sliced

Instructions

Prepare

Rinse rice and cover with cold water.
Add 1.5 tbsp lemon juice.
Let soak 1/2 - 24 hours in the fridge.
Drain. Set aside.
Season chicken with salt and pepper.

Cook

In a large POT, fry onions in 2 tbsp butter over medium heat until translucent.
Add garlic, ginger, chili (optional), and Machboos [1] spices.
Stir-fry for 2 minutes.
Add chicken, tomatoes, and broth.
Cover. Cook 20 minutes over medium-low heat.
Take chicken out and set aside.
Add rice and salt to taste. Mix well.
Cover. Bring to a boil.
Turn heat to low. Cook about 15 minutes until rice is cooked. Don’t stir!
Turn off. Mix in herbs.

Fry

In a PAN, heat 1 tbsp oil. Fry chicken over high heat until browned on all sides.

Salad

Mix carrots with Machboos [2] spices, lemon juice, salt & pepper, and 1 tbsp oil.

Serve

Serve chicken on top of rice and with the carrot salad. Add lemon juice to taste.
Optionally, serve with lemon wedges, dates, and sliced red onions.
Enjoy!