Saudi Arabian
Kabsa
Rice Cooked in Aromatic Spices
If you’re not particularly fond of rice, this dish might just change your perspective. Instead of plain water, the rice is cooked in a fragrant blend of chicken broth, tomatoes, and a distinctive Arabian spice mix.
Crisp Chicken
This juicy and flavorful rice provides a delightful contrast to the grilled chicken placed on top, along with the addition of roasted nuts and raisins. The result is a heavenly and delicious combination.
Kabsa Spice Blend
Omani limes, coriander, cumin, black peppercorn, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, orange peel, bay leaves
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Saudi Arabian Kabsa
Kabsa is hailed as Saudi Arabia's national dish, a flavorful one-pot meal that combines fragrant rice, crisp and tender meat, and a zesty sauce, all harmoniously infused with aromatic spices. Typically garnished with roasted nuts and raisins, Kabsa offers a culinary journey into the heart of Saudi Arabian culture and flavors.
Ingredients
Protein
- 1 lb chicken thighs [1]
Fresh Produce
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic (optional) finely chopped
- 1 tomato chopped
- 1 cup grated carrots (optional) [2]
- 1-2 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
Packaged Food/Staples
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2.5 cups chicken broth [3]
- 1 cup basmati rice [4]
Kabsa
- 1 pouch Omani limes, coriander, cumin, black peppercorn, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, orange peel, bay leaves
Optional Garnish
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds [6] [7]
- 1/3 cup raisins [7]
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley or cilantro
- 3 slices orange, peeled and halved
Suggested Sides
- Cucumber or lettuce salad
- Flatbread
- Steamed or cooked vegetables [8] (carrots, cauliflower, endives, daikon)
Instructions
Prepare Rice
- In a BOWL, add the rice. Cover it with water and let it soak for 30 minutes.
Cook Rice
- In a POT, heat 3 tbsp oil over medium heat.
- Fry onions until they turn golden.
- Optionally, add garlic and stir-fry for 30 seconds.
- Add the tomatoes and tomato paste, and fry for 3-5 minutes.
- Add the chicken, Kabsa spices, and salt to taste. Mix well and fry for a few minutes until the chicken changes color on all sides. Turn every 2 minutes.
- Add 1 cup of broth, cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 10 minutes.
- Remove the chicken and set it aside.
- Add the drained rice, optional carrots, 1.5 cups of broth, and salt to taste.
- Mix well, cover, bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat to low. Cook for about 15 minutes until the rice is cooked.
Broil Chicken [5]
- Preheat the OVEN to 450°F.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper to taste. Brush it with oil and broil for 15 minutes.
Serve
- Place the chicken on top of the rice. Optionally, season the rice with lemon juice and add garnish of your choice. (Recommended)Serve with your preferred sides.
- Enjoy!
Notes
[1] Find the recipe for lamb or beef stew below.
[2] Substitute: parsnip, pumpkin, or skip.
[3] Substitute: other broth or water.
[4] Substitute: long grain rice.
[5] Alternative: Fry chicken in a PAN with very hot oil.
[6] Alternative: Use whole almonds and prepare them as follows:
In a small BOWL, add almonds. Cover with boiling water. Let them sit for exactly 60 seconds. Drain. Rinse with cold water. To remove their skins, gently pinch one end of each almond, causing the skin to loosen. The nut will easily pop out, so have your other hand ready to catch it. Warm the almonds for 10 seconds in the microwave to ease slicing. Then, using a sharp knife, carefully slice them vertically one by one.
[7] In a PAN, roast almonds and raisins in separate batches.
Saudi Arabian Kabsa - Beef Stew Version
Kabsa is hailed as Saudi Arabia's national dish, a flavorful one-pot meal that combines fragrant rice, crisp and tender meat, and a zesty sauce, all harmoniously infused with aromatic spices. Typically garnished with roasted nuts and raisins, Kabsa offers a culinary journey into the heart of Saudi Arabian culture and flavors.
Ingredients
Protein
- 1 lb beef or lamb stew [1]
Fresh Produce
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic (optional) finely chopped
- 1 tomato chopped
- 1 cup grated carrots (optional) [2]
- 1-2 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
Packaged Food/Staples
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2.5 cups beef broth [3]
- 1 cup basmati rice [4]
Kabsa
- 1 pouch Omani limes, coriander, cumin, black peppercorn, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, orange peel, bay leaves
Optional Garnish
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds [6] [7]
- 1/3 cup raisins [7]
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley or cilantro
- 3 slices orange, peeled and halved
Suggested Sides
- Cucumber or lettuce salad
- Flatbread
- Steamed or cooked vegetables [8] (carrots, cauliflower, endives, daikon)
Instructions
Prepare Rice
- In a BOWL, add the rice. Cover it with water and let it soak for 30 minutes.
Cook Meat
- In a POT, heat 3 tbsp oil over medium heat.
- Fry onions until they turn golden.
- Optionally, add garlic and stir-fry for 30 seconds.
- Add the meat. Mix well and fry for a few minutes until the meat changes color on all sides. Turn every 2 minutes.
- Add the Kabsa spices and salt to taste. Mix well.
- Add the tomatoes and tomato paste, and fry for 3-5 minutes.
- Add 1 cup of broth or a little bit more to just cover the meat.Cover the pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for approximately 90 minutes until the beef is tender.
Add Rice
- Add the drained rice, optional carrots, 1.5 cups of broth, and salt to taste.
- Mix well, cover, bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat to low. Cook for approximately 15 minutes until the rice is cooked.
Serve
- Optionally, season the rice with lemon juice and add garnish of your choice. (Recommended)Serve with your preferred sides.
- Enjoy!
Notes
[1] Find the recipe with chicken here.
[2] Substitute: parsnip, pumpkin, or skip.
[3] Substitute: other broth or water.
[4] Substitute: long grain rice.
[5] Alternative: Fry chicken in a PAN with very hot oil.
[6] Alternative: Use whole almonds and prepare them as follows:
In a small BOWL, add almonds. Cover with boiling water. Let them sit for exactly 60 seconds. Drain. Rinse with cold water. To remove their skins, gently pinch one end of each almond, causing the skin to loosen. The nut will easily pop out, so have your other hand ready to catch it. Warm the almonds for 10 seconds in the microwave to ease slicing. Then, using a sharp knife, carefully slice them vertically one by one.
[7] In a PAN, roast almonds and raisins in separate batches.
Marceline Reid-Jaques
2022-12-14
Karen Jones
2022-12-05
Wonderful, flavorful meals using readily available ingredients!
ann davis
2022-11-29
My daughter gave me a subscription as a Christmas present while our families were quarantining together. It was so much fun! It introduced us to several cuisines that were totally new to us. The recipes were easy to follow and the spices were transformative - fresh and pungent and delicious.
Jessica Brown
2022-05-22
The best way to try new dishes!
