Fragrant basmati rice cooked with tender chicken pieces in a rich blend of bezar spice mix, dried limes, tomatoes, and onions. This everyday Qatari staple fills kitchens with its unmistakable aroma of cinnamon and cardamom.
Ingredients
1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
3 cups basmati rice, soaked
2 large onions, diced
3 tomatoes, pureed
2 tbsp bezar spice mix
2 dried limes (loomi), pierced
1 tsp turmeric
2 tbsp vegetable oil
4 cups chicken broth
1 tsp salt
Fresh coriander for garnish
Instructions
1Heat oil in a heavy pot and brown the chicken pieces on all sides for 8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
2Sauté onions in the same pot until deeply golden, about 7 minutes. Add tomato puree, bezar, turmeric, and dried limes; cook for 3 minutes.
3Return chicken to pot, add broth, bring to a boil, then simmer covered for 25 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
4Remove chicken and dried limes. Add drained soaked rice to the broth, stir gently, cover tightly, and cook on low heat for 20 minutes.
5Fluff rice with a fork, arrange on a platter with chicken pieces on top, and garnish with fresh coriander and fried onions.
Did You Know?
Machbous is so central to Qatari identity that families often judge a new bride by the quality of her machbous.