Al Kabsa - Traditional Saudi Rice (& Chicken) Dish

• 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

1. Melt butter in a large stock pot, casserole or dutch oven. Add chicken pieces, onion & garlic & saute 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).

butter, chicken, onion, garlic, tomato puree, tomatoes, carrots, cloves, nutmeg, ground cumin, ground coriander, salt, water, chicken, basmati rice, raisins, slivered almonds, saffron, ground green cardamoms, ground cinnamon, ground allspice, white pepper, ground dried limes

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/al-kabsa-traditional-saudi-rice-chicken-dish-289878 (may not work)