Book of Days Tales

The second Tuesday in February is Sports Day in Qatar. The purpose of the holiday is to promote healthy living, and, therefore, getting out and working out are encouraged. Let’s not forget healthy eating also. Here is machboos, a Qatari dish of chicken and rice that reminds me of my arroz con pollo.

Ingredients:

1 chicken, cut into 8 pieces
1½ cups rice
1 white onion, diced
1 cup Roma tomatoes, diced
2 jalapenos, diced
½ tbsp garlic, minced
½ tbsp ginger, minced
¼ cup vegetable oil
4 tbsp Qatari spice mix (below)
2 cups chicken broth
½ cup water
salt, to taste

Qatari Spice Mix:

1 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp coriander
½ tbsp black lime
½ tbsp ground ginger
½ tbsp turmeric
½ tbsp cinnamon
¼ tbsp black pepper
¼ tbsp clove
¼ tbsp cardamom
¼ tsp saffron (optional)

Instructions:

Coat the chicken pieces heavily with the spices and brown them in oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot (around 5 minutes on each side), and remove them to a plate to rest.

Add the vegetables to the pot and cook for 5 or 6 minutes. Then add the rice and toast for around 1 minute.

Next, add the stock and water, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, return the chicken to the pot, and cover. Cook like this for 20-25 minutes, until most of the water is absorbed.

Remove from heat and allow to stand covered for another 10 minutes before serving to allow the rice to finish steaming.