*This is a delicious spiced chicken and rice Middle Eastern dish - it is not spicy, but it is very savoury!* Serves 5-6 2 large onions, chopped 2 tablespoons ghee or butter 1 tablespoon Baharat (see recipe here) 1 teaspoon tumeric 1 chicken, about 1.5kg (3lb), cut in pieces (I used just chicken breast to save on bothering with bones!) 1 1/2 cups tomatoes, peeled and chopped (I didn't bother peeling) 1/2 teaspoon powdered Loomi (dried lime), or grated lemon zest 3 cloves 2 cinnamon sticks 6 cardamom pods 3 teaspoons salt 2 1/2 cups water 2 cups basmati rice 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (coriander) leaves, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped In a deep heavy pan, gently fry onion in ghee/butter until translucent and beginning to brown. Stir in Baharat and tumeric and cook 2 minutes longer. Add chicken pieces and turn in onion mixture over medium heat to brown lightly. Add tomatoes, Loomi/lemon zest, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom pods and salt, stirring wel
Baharat is available in Middle Eastern markets and specialty spice stores, however if you can't get it for whatever reason, this recipe is very easy to put together and can be used for multiple recipes. Makes about 1 1/2 cups (I halved the recipe - makes plenty if you're not going to use it terribly often) 4 tablespoons ground black peppercorns 2 tablespoons ground corriander seeds 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon 2 tablespoons ground cloves 3 tablespoons ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cardamom 4 teaspoons ground nutmeg 4 tablespoons paprika Purchase the freshest possible ground spices. Combine and store in a tightly sealed jar in a cook, dark place. Use within 6 months.