Machbous
Machbous is a popular rice-based dish that showcases the UAE’s culinary diversity. It is made by cooking long-grain rice with tender meat (such as chicken, lamb, or fish), aromatic spices, and a variety of vegetables, including tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers. Dried lime, saffron, and rosewater enhance the flavours.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 4 chicken thighs/legs
- 1/2 onion
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 2 curry leaves
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 6 cardamom pods
- 6 whole cloves
- 1 chicken stock cube
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp baharat spice
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp. mild curry powder
- 700ml water
- 1/2 lemon
- 400g basmati rice
Direction:
Rub 1 tsp of ground turmeric into 4 chicken thighs and legs (skin on). Heat 1 tbsp. olive oil in a frying pan. Fry in the pan until brown and set aside. This should take about 5 mins per side.
Dice half an onion and fry in the same pan as before, until brown. Add 1 tsp ground ginger, the curry leaves, the diced tomato, cinnamon stick, the cardamom pods and cloves. Mix in and then re-add the chicken. Transfer to a deep pan.
In the deep pan, add 1 crushed chicken stock cube, seasoning to your liking, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp baharat spice, 1 tsp ground cumin and 1 tbsp. mild curry powder. Cover with 700ml cold water. Cover and cook for 30 mins on low.
Uncover, add the juice of half a lemon, the rice and cover and cook for about 10 minutes, until the rice has cooked. Keep an eye on it and stir occasionally to stop the rice from sticking. You can add a tiny bit more water if needed. Serve on a large plate.