Al Kabsa - Traditional Saudi Rice (& Chicken) Dish

Um Safia's Note:

Al Khabsa / Khabsa is very traditional. It can be made with many variations - this is just one of them - I hope to post more! Use chicken for this recipe, my others have lamb instead.....I have revised the recipe as of 09/02/09, although when I cook it the amounts are correct - perhaps it's the rice I use?

• Total Time: 1 hrs 40 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 20 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

Kabsa Dish

• 1/4 cup butter
• 3 lbs chicken, cut into 8-10 pieces
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup tomato puree
• 14 ounces canned chopped tomatoes, un-drained (or fresh)
• 3 medium carrots, grated
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 pinch grated nutmeg
• 1 pinch ground cumin
• 1 pinch ground coriander
• salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 4 cups hot water
• 1 chicken stock cube
• 2 1/4 cups basmati rice (don't rinse or soak this)
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted

Kabsa Spice Mix

• 1/2 teaspoon saffron
• 1/4 teaspoon ground green cardamoms
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground dried limes

Directions:

1. Melt butter in a large stock pot, casserole or dutch oven. Add chicken pieces, onion & garlic & sauté until onion is tender. Stir in tomato puree & simmer over a low heat for a couple of minutes.
2. Add tomatoes, carrots, cloves, all the spices & salt and pepper. Cook for a couple of minutes. Add the water & Maggi cube.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover. Simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. Add rice to the pot & stir carefully. (if you're wanting to brown the chicken in the oven - remove it from the pot now & place in the preheated oven).
4. Re-Cover & simmer for 35 - 40 minutes - adding the raisins for the last 10 minutes - or until rice is tender.
5. Place the rice on a large serving dish, topped with the chicken & garnished with almonds. Serve with a fresh mixed salad - preferably with a little lime vinaigrette. Saudis like their Kabsa with a hot sauce called 'Shattah'.
6. N.B: You can also 'finish' the chicken pieces off in the oven by cooking them for 25 - 30 minutes at 180 C whilst the rice is cooking. (but don't let them become dry).

Reviews

[abymallakattu]

supppppppppppppppperrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[kels0407]

This was a total hit in mmy house even my daughter ate it.

[Chef #1473407]

Shukran, ya Um Safia! This recipe was a great success and reminded us of 18 happy years spent in Saudi Arabia!