Al Kabsa – Traditional Saudi Rice (& Chicken) Dish

From :http://ricerecipe.org/al-kabsa-traditional-saudi-rice-chicken-dish/

Ingredients

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
15 ounces chopped tomatoes
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(Maggi)
1 1/2 cups basmati rice
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 & 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 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)